17 March 2023
Banner to Eagle Rock, PCT Mile 106

I slept really well in my tiny house at Banner Ranch. I was the only hiker that showed up, so I had the whole place to myself. It was easy to repack and get going at first light.

The first mile or two were a road walk. It was still early so I was only passed by maybe half a dozen cars.

At the California Riding and Hiking Trail (CRHT) I turned off the road. It became bucolic right away.

I had to cross Banner Creek, but it was nothing compared to Cottonwood Creek from a few days ago.

The miles across the San Felipe Valley were easy and beautiful.

The trail passes the Felipe Ranch which was bought a few years ago by the State and is now abandoned. I poked around a little and surprised a snowy owl in a shed in the back. It promptly fled and nearly pooped on me, but was too fast for my phone.

About a mile past the ranch the CRHT turns onto the shoulder of Highway S-2. But it is just half a mile from the PCT here, so I opted to do some cross country to get back to it.

I was a little concerned about vegetation, but it was pretty sparse, and an old jeep road took me up the first ridge

The plants slowly transitioned from ranchland meadow to desert and wildflowers started popping up.

I got to the saddle where the PCT wiggles all around and decided to turn left up a broad and easy ascent to Second Gate where the PCT finishes some switchbacks.

I took a snack and stretch break at the PCT before moving on along the gorgeous traverse of the San Felipe Hills.

Just past the Third Gate is the famous Third Gate cache, where volunteers leave hundreds of gallons of water in the middle of nowhere each year.

Venmo @ThirdGateWaterCache if you want to help with a donation!

I took another long break here and I was surprised to have the whole place to myself. Every other time I have been up here there were at least a dozen hikers milling around. I guess that’s a testament to the crazy weather we are having this year.

I got really emotional in the afternoon.

This has been a pattern with me. I love it out here, but when I get tired in the afternoon I get bored and lonely and wonder what the hell I am doing. I think a lot about quitting (already!).

But then I get neat reminders.

And just past Barrel Spring, right when I started to worry about running out of food, there was trail magic!

I chatted with the trail angels and another hiker for a bit and then moved on.

By sundown I made it to Eagle Rock, enjoyed the sunset, and then set up my tent in a nearby ravine.

Today’s hike-u:

Cross Country Fun
It’s my favorite,
Finding my own way uphill
To get back to trail