Category: Desert Winter Thru Hike

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. The other theme had been to connect the AZT to the PCT, which I’d already accomplished. But I hadn’t yet connected my footsteps all the way to the ocean, since I’d skipped[…]

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 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 a[…]

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[…]

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. I 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[…]

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[…]