Destination: Arrastre Trail Camp at Deer Springs
Starting Location: Creekside Camp
Today’s Miles: 20.90
Trip Miles: 255.90
Creekside Camp (235.0, 6110) to Arrastre Trail Camp at Deer Springs (255.9, 7605) ascent (4429) descent (2841)
As it is Mother’s Day I spent a lot of time thinking about mom today. I have the best mom in the world. I know she is concerned for my well being on this trip as she has been during my entire life. And yet she has always supported me in everything I have attempted. She has applauded my successes and helped me overcome my failures. And she put up with a lot of crap when I was a teenager. I also thought about Rita (my mother in law) today who unfortunately is no longer with us. She was quite the lady and welcomed me into her family with open arms.
Today was tough as we had a 17 mile waterless stretch. I was very thankful for our decision to carry a slightly heavier pack (ULA, P-2) as I loaded up 6 liters of water. The extra support this pack provides is worth the weight and it carried 20 lbs beautifully.
Having spent significant time in the Sierra Nevada, I have been less than complimentary about Southern California Mountains. That was a mistake, as I really like these mountains. What is particularly amazing is the rapid ecological transitions. This morning I was taking pictures of cactus and a few hours later I was in a dense sub alpine forest.
We had a very sad and emotional parting with T-minus late this afternoon when she decided to go to the highway and catch a ride to Big Bear. She is not feeling well and will take some time to recover. We have loved hiking with her and hope to do so again. We will look for her up in Big Bear tomorrow. Whenever anyone gets off the trail either temporarily or permanently my hear sinks out of empathy for that person and out of fear that it could happen to me.
Tonight we had our first large group of thru-hikers camping together. Throughout time people have congregated at water sources and on the trail it is no different. Everyone had to get to this water and when they did most stopped for the evening. It was fun eating together and getting to meet such an eclectic group of individuals
Destination: Arrastre Trail Camp at Deer Springs
Starting Location: Creekside Camp
Today’s Miles: 20.90
Trip Miles: 255.90
Creekside Camp (235.0, 6110) to Arrastre Trail Camp at Deer Springs (255.9, 7605) ascent (4429) descent (2841)
As it is Mother’s Day I spent a lot of time thinking about mom today. I have the best mom in the world. I know she is concerned for my well being on this trip as she has been during my entire life. And yet she has always supported me in everything I have attempted. She has applauded my successes and helped me overcome my failures. And she put up with a lot of crap when I was a teenager. I also thought about Rita (my mother in law) today who unfortunately is no longer with us. She was quite the lady and welcomed me into her family with open arms.
Today was tough as we had a 17 mile waterless stretch. I was very thankful for our decision to carry a slightly heavier pack (ULA, P-2) as I loaded up 6 liters of water. The extra support this pack provides is worth the weight and it carried 20 lbs beautifully.
Having spent significant time in the Sierra Nevada, I have been less than complimentary about Southern California Mountains. That was a mistake, as I really like these mountains. What is particularly amazing is the rapid ecological transitions. This morning I was taking pictures of cactus and a few hours later I was in a dense sub alpine forest.
We had a very sad and emotional parting with T-minus late this afternoon when she decided to go to the highway and catch a ride to Big Bear. She is not feeling well and will take some time to recover. We have loved hiking with her and hope to do so again. We will look for her up in Big Bear tomorrow. Whenever anyone gets off the trail either temporarily or permanently my hear sinks out of empathy for that person and out of fear that it could happen to me.
Tonight we had our first large group of thru-hikers camping together. Throughout time people have congregated at water sources and on the trail it is no different. Everyone had to get to this water and when they did most stopped for the evening. It was fun eating together and getting to meet such an eclectic group of individuals
Robert Francisco 
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