Destination: Mill Creek Summit Ranger Station
Starting Location: Camp Glenwood
Today’s Miles: 18.00
Trip Miles: 419.00
Camp Glenwood (400.7, 6400) to Mill Creek Summit Ranger Station (418.7, 4910)
Today we did our first 10 x 10 (10 miles by 10 a.m.) and loved the strategy. We were walking at 5:45 a.m. and before we knew it we had completed half our daily mileage. Our spirits were high and we were able to put yesterday behind us. We reached our destination at 2 pm and have been lying under the pines all afternoon. We contemplated going on but a water strategy suggested a 22 tomorrow and then 14 into the Saufleys at Agua Dulce. As we laid around the hikers kept pouring in and there are about 15 of us here now. Everyone here is setting up for Agua Dulce for Memorial Day weekend.
While laying here a hummingbird kept flying really close and we finally realized that a baby bird was lying in the grass. It was very small and had likely fallen out of its nest. We moved away but it was clear the bird would perish within a few hours. It is just biology but it was hard not to join the group and strategize on how to save the bird.
Yesterday gave me a good reality check on how the mental game can screw up your hike. It was so easy to get into a bad place, and that thinking was wreak havoc on your physical abilities as well as creating a “why am I here” thought process. I am glad I experienced this feeling early and really glad I got over it quickly. This allowed me to look at it objectively and compartmentalize the memory. Hopefully I will be able to draw on that in the future and help maintain context and remember to not make major decisions when in that place.
Photos have finally been posted. Hope you enjoy.
Destination: Mill Creek Summit Ranger Station
Starting Location: Camp Glenwood
Today’s Miles: 18.00
Trip Miles: 419.00
Camp Glenwood (400.7, 6400) to Mill Creek Summit Ranger Station (418.7, 4910)
Today we did our first 10 x 10 (10 miles by 10 a.m.) and loved the strategy. We were walking at 5:45 a.m. and before we knew it we had completed half our daily mileage. Our spirits were high and we were able to put yesterday behind us. We reached our destination at 2 pm and have been lying under the pines all afternoon. We contemplated going on but a water strategy suggested a 22 tomorrow and then 14 into the Saufleys at Agua Dulce. As we laid around the hikers kept pouring in and there are about 15 of us here now. Everyone here is setting up for Agua Dulce for Memorial Day weekend.
While laying here a hummingbird kept flying really close and we finally realized that a baby bird was lying in the grass. It was very small and had likely fallen out of its nest. We moved away but it was clear the bird would perish within a few hours. It is just biology but it was hard not to join the group and strategize on how to save the bird.
Yesterday gave me a good reality check on how the mental game can screw up your hike. It was so easy to get into a bad place, and that thinking was wreak havoc on your physical abilities as well as creating a “why am I here” thought process. I am glad I experienced this feeling early and really glad I got over it quickly. This allowed me to look at it objectively and compartmentalize the memory. Hopefully I will be able to draw on that in the future and help maintain context and remember to not make major decisions when in that place.
Photos have finally been posted. Hope you enjoy.
Robert Francisco 
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