Highlights of South California: Meilen 0-260

First thoughts

I started the Pacific Crest Trail in early May and can say that the past few weeks have been a great time. When I hiked through the desert of Southern California, I was not sure what would expect me about the landscape or the biological diversity. What I have seen so far has far exceeded my expectations of beauty and plant variety! The desert is full of juniper, spiked pears, barrel cactus, poppy seed flowers and a variety of plants. I was shocked to continue to notice new plants and flowers for hundreds of miles. As for the landscape, the desert is mountainous! The path left me on the summit on the summit of Mount San Jacinto at 10,834 foot. My days were filled with comprehensive prospects for the summit and valleys.

Challenges of blogging

When I started my hike, I realized that my ideas that blogging would not be as planned. After hiking of 20 miles (give or take a few) a day, it is not appealing to be on my cell phone or do anything other than to sleep and eat. My first zero day in a city was quickly filled with laundry, shopping, friends, food, care and sleeping and gave me little time to write or post. This explained for everyone who followed the consequences, I will use a formula to give fast updates in my blog to make it manageable! As a teacher, we use an activity called “Rose, Bud, Thorn” to encourage the parts of the students. I will use that to share my trail experience.

Roses (highlights)

• The Bird observation Was incredible! If you don't know me, I love watching birds and always hunt new species. So far I have been able to see several new birds and appreciate beautiful birds that fill the desert. Some remarkable birds were Valley quail, Hermit Warblers, Wilson's Warlers, Townsend's Warlers, Acornpecht, yellow belly sapsucker, western Bluebirds and western Tanagers.
• The desert in the Spring is full of flowers. Seeing so many different new flowers was one of my favorite parts of the trail. The cactus flourished together with Manzanita trees, field poppies, flox and numerous monkey flowers. If you have never been to the desert in spring, I recommend planning a trip for the next year.
  

  

• The Loss of time There is something spectacular on the way. You never know which day it is, how long you have hiked or how many days you were on the way. I love just going until I want to stop the same the next day. My days are full of listening to my body and observing mountains, plants and birds!

Buds (exciting things come)

• Hot sources are coming up! This week on trail I will come to a hot spring to soak and relax.
• I approach the desert halfway through the desert!

Thorns (lowlights)

• The desert is full of sand and loose rocks. My socks are embedded with dirt and Blow have formed. I had to buy toe socks and I now have cute rainbow grids to keep the dirt away. My toes are not completely healed, but we get there.
• On the PCT between white water protection and Big Bear there is a washing out. This section was longer and more difficult than expected. I was turned around a bit, had to trace steps back, and my feet were so happy to hike on sand and rocks, but but I looked through my first, not so chipped and smiley day!

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