Twig Adventures

DWTH SDTCT Day 9: The Finish Line at Torrey Pines

Monday, March 24th, 2025, 0700-1400Penasquitos canyon open space to Torrey Pines, mm154 End SDTCT, then 6 bonus miles along the beach to La Jolla, Elevation 0′21 miles. I was up bright and early to finally finish this hike. It took me awhile to realize the very cool theme of my start and end points: they all had something to do with plants. Saguaro National Park and Joshua Tree National Park were the official termini of the DWTH, and then I added Torrey Pines State Park to the mix. Of course, the other theme had been to connect the AZT to the PCT, which I’d already accomplished. I hadn’t yet connected my footsteps all the way to the ocean, since I’d[…]

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DWTH SDTCT Day 8: Urban Thru-hiking

Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, 0700-1840San Vicente area to Penasquitos canyon open space, mm140.5, Elevation 380′21 miles. My semi-urban campsite was a little too wild, as some animals were fighting in the bushes overnight, probably racoons. Still, it was a great spot. I woke to a very foggy, wet morning. My tent was naturally soaked, but at least I didn’t have to resort to cowboy camping, thus getting my quilt wet. I figure I’m more discreet inside my camo tent anyway, as long as there’s space enough to pitch it. It’s like a hunting blind. The fog also served to further conceal my escape from my site, not that anybody was around to see me go. I followed the paved road[…]

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DWTH SDTCT Day 7: El Cajon & Trans-passing Like A Champ…it’s not what you’re thinking

Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, 0600-1840Near Cedar Creek Falls TH to San Vicente area, mm119.5, Elevation 1370′18 miles. Oh boy, what a day. When researching this route, about all I heard mention of was the horrific bushwhack up the backside of El Cajon. But of course, I never knew if the severity described by others would live up to my expectations. Certainly the extent of my bushwhacking experience through vast deserts, canyons and dense PNW forests raised my bar pretty high. But as I’d already noted, bushwhacking through thick chaparral sucked pretty hard, too. I’d watched a video from another hiker long enough to know how I was going to handle some private property reroutes through the chaparral…as in, no way[…]

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DWTH SDTCT Day 6: Cresting the Crest, Then Big Descent

Friday, March 21st, 2025, 0700-1840PCT water tank to near Cedar Creek Falls trailhead mm101.5, Elevation 2000′26 miles. It was very cold in the morning, just 37 degrees F! I actually passed frost on the grass as I set out. I was sad to find that the route didn’t spend any time following the PCT, but merely crossed it and continued following signs for the California Riding and Hiking Trail. I even saw another sign for the SDTCT, complete with a little map! This was just as well, because the route led through a series of beautiful meadows. The meadowlarks and blackthroated sparrows were singing gleefully, while a family of ravens tumbled around in the grass. It was so gorgeous in[…]

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DWTH SDTCT Day 5: Crossing the PCT

Thursday, March 20th, 2025, 1400-1900Stagecoach RV park to PCT water tank, mm75.5\PCT mm62.4. Elevation 4730′13 miles. I spent a leisurely morning at Mystic Canyon with Otzi and Barbara. Otzi and I left just before noon, stopping at a grocery store to buy some items. He’d been doing trail magic / hiker feeds at a campground near Mt Laguna, catering to PCT hikers. I contributed to his stock of supplies (beer and soda), and bought a few things for mine. I didn’t need much, because I anticipated finishing the route in 3.5 days. In fact, I hoped to be visiting Otzi’s Trail Magic in about a week, drinking some of the beverages I just bought. We drove to Julian and Otzi[…]

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DWTH SDTCT Day 3 & 4: Stagecoach & Unexpected Zero with Friends

Tuesday, March 18th, 2025, 0700-1400Culp Valley campground to Stagecoach RV park, mm62.5. Elevation 2350′20 miles.Wednesday, March 19th, 2025. Zero I slept so soundly in the privy, which may seem kind of surprising, given the weather and the nature of my accommodations. The more the wind howled, the more I felt a smug satisfaction, knowing I just managed to dodge the claws of mother nature this night. The outdoors can really make one appreciate even a humble privy. Of course, I made sure to vacate my impromptu Airbnb first thing in the morning, but not before at least leaving a deposit! The morning was chilly and still very breezy, but at least it was dry. Instead of reconnecting to the the[…]

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DWTH SDTCT Day 2: Borrego Springs

Monday, March 17th, 2025, 0630-1900Outskirts of Borrego Springs to Culp Valley campground, mm42.5, elevation 3300′12 miles. The night was so calm and the sunrise so vibrant, I was entranced by the combination of stillness and brilliance. I loved the desert for these gifts, but soon I’d be climbing high into the first set of mountains forming the Pacific Crest. I wasn’t in a hurry for that just yet. I was only looking forward as far as a town stop for breakfast. The route took me straight through Borrego Springs and I had no idea what to expect. Would it be another rough and trashy desert town, like so many I’d already passed through? I cruised west along the 5 mile[…]

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DWTH SDTCT Day 1: The Salton Sea

Sunday, March 16th, 2025, 0620-1800Salton Sea, eastern terminus of the San Diego Trans County Trail, elevation -226′, to outskirts of Borrego Springs, mm30.5, elevation 500′30.5 miles. It felt great to be at the start of the SDTCT when I woke. I was moving before the sunrise, since I didn’t want to be discovered camping along the shore. I couldn’t see how far away the water was, but the flats made for a nice sunrise. I didn’t even realize that I was standing over 200 feet below sea level. The depression was formed by the San Andreas fault, which stretched the landscape as the plates slid past each other. I’m not sure I’ve ever been in a place so low, and[…]

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DWTH Day 41: Whitewater Preserve & the PCT

Saturday, March 15th, 2025, 0540-1400Desert Hot Springs to Whitewater Preserve, End Section 8e, elevation 2100′16 miles. Then skip to start of the SDTCT. I woke early, as I was very eager to get out of the disgusting flop hostel and leave Desert Hot Springs behind for good. This was the day I’d finally finish my hike from the Arizona Trail to the Pacific Crest Trail, completing all legs of the Great Western Loop. My layover in DHS was necessary and revitalizing, but I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to leave a town. I took a bus north a few miles to reconnect to the route where I’d gotten off, then walked some blocks through the remnants of town.[…]

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DWTH Day 40: Desert Hot Springs Layover

Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, 0540-1400Black Rock Campground to Desert Hot Springs, mm 15, Section 8e, elevation 2100′18 miles.Plus 2 days in town, hiding out from a winter storm (Thursday-Friday, March 13-14th) I slept warm and comfortable in the embrace of my juniper, then was up early, eager to make it into town for a hot shower after 18 days. I think this stretch set the record for the longest time I went without a shower, plus also laundry. However, I did take a pretty good sink shower / laundry at the Fenner gas station a week and a half prior, so I’m not sure this record counted as much. Regardless, I was feeling pretty rank. I briefly stopped at the[…]

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