Last month I was able to attend the Annual Day Zero PCT Kick Off (ADZPCTKO) and hike the PCT section A, from the border monument to Warner Springs. Met all the usual suspects, Meadow Ed, Billy Goat, Tattoo Jo, et. al. Great fun. The weather was mild and I had a great time.
I could not help but think about all those that have walked this path before me. The trail angels were out in force, catering to the northbound herd. Water was easily obtained from natural sources and water caches. One fellow (Catspaw) was handing out ice cream cones at the Scissors Crossing water cache (Anza Borrego Desert). He had it on dry ice!
I arrived at Eagle Rock about an hour before sunset. What a magical place. I sat down with a thru-hiker (Backtrack) and we chatted a bit while we watched a pair of finches nesting in a nearby shrub. Although I had another 5 miles to get myself to Warner Springs, I felt no rush to leave this place. I've come to feel very passionate about the PCT, and plan to thru-hike it some future year.
