Angelina Spring to Stagecoach Trails RV Resort (11 miles, +1,200/-1,400 feet).

Arrrrrrgghh!  It happened again.

I gave up.

Yesterday was so hard.  I’ve been pushing myself way too much.  After getting to my resting point for today I just couldn’t bear the thought of another sweaty slog up a moderately-interesting canyon that I have seen before.

It’s weird.  I thought I really wanted to do this sea-to-sea hike, but I guess I didn’t.  It also made me realize that when I don’t have a “why” it’s really hard for me to do big mileage days….

Anyhoo, this morning was actually really nice.  Mostly flat, with a stunning sunrise.

The hike through Grape Canyon was actually a trail instead of a road and very nice.  Right before entering I met some nice people from the Sierra Wilderness Course who were out planning a navigation site for future students.

After Grape Canyon it was a long flat descent through Earthquake Valley to the Stagecoach Trails RV Resort

The folks at the RV Resort were really nice!  They apparently get a lot of PCT thru-hikers so they are very well set up for a resupply.

After lunch I headed on my way but turned around after a mile and called Half Cookie to come pick me up.  My heart just wasn’t in the rest of the hike.  I’ve seen Oriflamme Canyon, Cuyamaca, Cedar Creek Falls, and Peñasquitos Canyon, and I was not looking forward to the private property issues and bushwhacking up El Cajon Mountain.

It felt like a big defeat.  If I can’t do this, how will I do the PCT?

On the other hand, the PCT is a MUCH bigger deal to me.  I think I would be willing to go through a lot more to keep that journey going.  Maybe.

As I write this blog entry I wish I had just taken the day off at the RV park and started again the next morning.  But who knows if that would have worked.

Anyway, I am really happy for what I saw up to where I finished, and it was a really good learning experience about pushing myself too hard and taking breaks when I need a mental recharge.

Onward and upward!