Southern Terminus 0 to Lake Morena 20
Mileage: 20
Today was the big day. The night before was a little rough. I finally started to feel nervous and my stomach felt like it was in a vice. I didn’t sleep well at all and felt like I was going to puke all night. Morning wasn’t any better and I wasn’t in the best of moods because of the crappy night and because I was really nervous.
We got to the monument around 7 and there were already 4 or 5 people there. We started taking some pictures and the two more cars showed up with about 10 people. At that point I was ready to leave but the group wanted to do a group picture. Right after the picture at 7:25 I officially started. My parents hiked with me for almost a mile and then we said our goodbyes. Almost expected my mom to start crying.
The trail is pretty amazing so far I was expecting brown desert with brown desert brush like back home. But it was very green! Sometimes there were even what looked like oak trees. Green rolling hills and boulders.
No real aches yet. My left knee hurts on occasion. Usually when going down hill it’ll start to ache. Hoping it doesn’t get any worse. Could be the IT band so I’ve been doing some leg stretches.
After a few miles the herd I was in stayed to thin out and I spent the next 10 miles hiking alone with the occasional passing of someone taking a break. At about 14.5 mile I started to descend down towards a creek. At the bottom I ran into a bunch of hikers taking a break under a shade tree. I say and talked to them for about 30 minutes. A lot of pretty cool guys and a couple German girls. It’s funny it almost seems like there are more people not from the U.S.
We got up from the much needed break and started up the long and hot climb from Hauser Creek. Which I would hardly call a creek. Creeks usually have water. The climb was brutal. I definitely sucked the most. Going uphill saps all my energy and I feel like I’m just stumbling up the hill and having to stop all the time. It was only supposed to be about 3 miles of up hill but it felt more like 6. Finally I reached the top and started to wind my way down and caught my first glimpse of Lake Morena which was my destination.
The climb out of Hauser Creek. You can sort of make out the switch backs going up.
It felt pretty good stumbling into the campsite and dropping my pack. Speaking of which my pack weighed about 29 pounds today. About pounds consisted of 6 liters of water since there is absolutely no water for the first 20 miles. Although I only used about 4 liters. Definitely worth bringing the extra water as opposed to the alternative. Luckily there is a water spigot in 6 miles tomorrow so I’ll only need to bring 2 liters.
After getting to camp I set up my tent and then walked to camp office since it costs $5 to stay the night. I waited for the other two guys I was with to pay and sat in a chair. It was glorious and the beat feeling in the world. As we were leaving we noticed there was a hiker box full of junk hikers didn’t want. In it was was a dirty pair of tighty whiteys! Who leaves dirty under wear?!
We got all checked in and I washed my feet and socks at the water spigot. I’m amazed how dirty my legs and feet got. I wish I took a picture. It was strange my toes were absolutely black with dust and dirt and then rest of my feet up to my ankles were relatively clean. Then it looked like hadn’t washed for weeks on my calves.
A few of us walked about a mile to The Malt where I got a burger and chocolate shake. I mean it is my birthday. The burger was OK but the shake definitely hit the spot. We got back and I went to use the bathroom and had a pretty good laugh at the sign outside.
All in all it was a pretty good first day with only a couple crappy miles.
April 23, 2016 at 8:39 am
🙂
April 23, 2016 at 8:42 am
Not in the best of moods is an understatement, but totally understandable. So happy we could be there to start your journey with you. Keeping close track of those pings!!! Love you.
April 23, 2016 at 8:43 am
Cant wait to follow all your posts,, just like being there myself with out the hiking..
April 23, 2016 at 9:06 am
You are doing it! Congrats. Next time, grab the tighty whities. My kids need some new clothes.
April 25, 2016 at 3:36 pm
I think I’ll pass on that. Lol
April 23, 2016 at 9:21 am
Sorry we missed you yesterday a.m. Glad you had another “birthday dinner”!
April 23, 2016 at 9:33 am
Great job! At this rate you will be there in… 5 months!
April 23, 2016 at 10:20 am
Keep kicking ass!
April 23, 2016 at 10:54 am
Excited to start reading of your adventures. Great post. My family and I will be following your progress.
April 25, 2016 at 3:36 pm
Thanks!
April 23, 2016 at 11:20 am
Go Dog Go
April 23, 2016 at 11:59 am
Awesome job. Glad you got out of Terminus quickly. That place is dangerous. (It’s a Walking Dead thing…which after a few more days you might be feeling like i bet.)
Hopefully you won’t be wishing you had that spare pair of tighty whities down the trail.
April 23, 2016 at 2:06 pm
Hey, can you post pictures of yourself as you go along? Love the description of your hike.
April 25, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Yep! I’m going to post at least a selfie a day that will accurately capture my mood. I also have a selfie attachment for my trekking poles. It was a bit too windy the last couple days to use tho.
April 23, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Awesome Jason!
April 23, 2016 at 4:43 pm
Yay!!!! So glad you are doing great! Keep the posts coming!!!
April 23, 2016 at 6:48 pm
I am so proud of you. God bless and keep you.
April 23, 2016 at 7:03 pm
It is commando weather now. I don’t believe you will be needing them
Thanks for your blog. You write very well and it makes me wish I was out there.
Yermo A.
May 13, 2016 at 7:21 am
HI Jason, I think I met you in the Lake Morena campsite office and I was asking how your sun umbrella was working for you. I was with a larger, local group that day-hiked the first 20mi from terminus to the Lake the following day. Best of luck with your hike!
May 14, 2016 at 1:27 am
I think I remember. Was so long ago it seems! Well the umbrella is no more. It decided it would rather live on the slopes of San Jacinto. Sudden gust of wind ripped it out of my hands.
August 25, 2016 at 9:42 am
I was looking through other blogs and saw this photo of day 1 and I think you are in this group shot. https://adventureclaudia.wordpress.com/2016/04/24/pct-day-1/