PCT Day 5 – Sea of Green

My feet never warmed up last night. I slept fitfully because of that. Putting on wool socks did not help. I normally awaken when the birds start up shortly after 5. But this morning I slept through until 5:30. It felt good and I didn’t beat myself up about it. We should still be able to meet our hiking goals today.

We were out of camp by 6:30. There are no hookups in the RV campground, so all the RVers are snug in their beds.

The trail rises up

I can tell it is going to be a good day immediately. The benevolent sun invites me to join him explore the ridges ahead.

“But wait, what about these flowers?” I implore. “Yes, of course,” he replies, “but hurry.”

We begin by returning to the rim above Mason Valley, which we viewed yesterday. We will continue northwest through the Laguna Mountains following the ridge above Oriflamme Creek. We will be making our way around the western edge of this magnificent valley past the Vallecito Mountains in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Here is another view of the Mason Valley.

The Laguna Mountains send arms down into the Mason Valley. We are going to stay to the right.

Strange trail

We are making our way to a public picnic area called Pioneer Mail where we will put our feet up and have a snack. The pine trees in this picnic area are full of holes. Oddly each hole has an acorn inside. Did some kind of squirrel do this? If so, this proves my point that squirrels, like cats, cannot be trusted.

The trail gets weird soon after that. It widens and becomes a kind of promenade above the valley.

The trail gets support from a massive retaining wall.

Followed by this…

Several more of these shrines follow. They appear to be memorials of regular people. They are not unlike the shrines that pop up at tragic locations (shootings, auto accidents, suicides). But why here? It’s a mystery. I learn later that the name of this place is Kwaaymii Point.

Anyway, I really love this area. Please indulge me just three more pictures of the ridges above Mason Valley.

High Desert

Moving away from the valley, the trail traverses what I would call the high desert. It really reminds me of the ocean. Rolling hills like large swells. White flowers quivering atop the thick desert brush like flecks of sea foam. The persistent blustery wind. No photo can do it justice because this land is felt more than seen. This experience is a gift I will always treasure.

Camp

The usual suspects are in camp tonight with the addition of one young man from New Zealand. Rabbit (Richard) is a policy advisor. He announced this with a straight face. We all laughed anyway, after a pause. Whoever he works for must be all right though, because they let him take off to hike the trail.

• May 9, 2023
• Starting marker: 47.5
• Ending marker: 63.6
• Miles hiked today: 16
• Total miles hiked: 64