I finally finished what I started, or PCT Section A, hiking 17.9 Miles from Sunrise trailhead to Scissors. Maybe it was a small dream, to hike 107 miles, but it was a dream nonetheless.
Sometimes you just pick up where you left off. It was not until May of 2024, that stars seemed to align. In early May, I managed to get in a 20-mile section, out and back from Sunrise to Garnet Mountain. Here I was, with 17.9 miles to go.
I have wanted to complete my section hike of the PCT since last April. Oh, how time had flown. Back in November, of 2023, I had a small window over Thanksgiving weekend but chose to spend it with family instead. Again came another window in December, but I was not able to swing it since one atmospheric river after another decided to roll on in. Finishing PCT Section A had to wait.
This was a big milestone for me, even though the original goal was to backpack the whole way, back in April 2023. Hiking 107 miles is a cool challenge, and I am glad I accepted. I think it’s important to challenge yourself in life. Whatever challenge you accept today, just remember, the outcome is not important, but the act of attempting it that matters. Taking on a goal that seems big at the time, helps us grow stronger. In this case, the challenge was both mental and physical.
A lot can happen in a year. As always, my motto is “Do it while you can.” I was grateful to complete PCT Section A. It’s one of the most beautiful well-maintained trails there is, and I feel blessed to have it right here in my backyard in Southern California.
I kept throwing it out there in groups, that I aimed to take this hike. Most people I would talk with were not keen on the mileage. I could not seem to get a ride from anyone I knew. I was prepared to book a Lyft ride or get one from one of the Julian Trail Angels, who I had never met. I only knew a few of their names from their following posts online.
A few women mentioned being helped by a lady named Becky. So I sent her a pm, hoping she might respond. I had Monday off of work and was all prepared for my hike. Then to much surprise, another woman hiker I had never met, responded to my post on a lady’s hiking group to which I belong. I thought at first she was not serious. I knew who she was only because she had been organizing local hikes for some time with another group I belonged to. She had replied a while back on a different post of mine, mentioning how close she lived to me, and that she was interested in hiking buddies.
So Becky did reply, but I no longer needed a ride. I now had confirmation that I had a hiking buddy for the day. We would stage cars, I would no longer need to burden this trail angel for a ride. I do appreciate it so much that people are willing to give rides to total strangers. There is hope for humanity.
I arrived at Scissors around 7:30 am. I was later than I wanted to be. I did not sleep the night before. Racing thoughts kept me up sadly. Had I not been meeting her, I would have slept in, and just started later. But I was now committed.
Sunrise Trailhead is where we would begin the hike. There was not one soul at the formerly bustling crossroad where many a hiker is picked up and ferried to Julian or the nearby Stagecoach RV, both popular re-supply, and places of accommodation for PCT Hikers. Hiker trash we were not today. Showing up in clean clothes, and having slept in actual beds, we hardly qualified. Hiking fanatics, yes.
We drove to the trailhead, at Sunrise. As before it was empty, and again I began to wonder why. Half the people I mention Mount Laguna and Julian to, have no idea where this place is. Sunrise Highway winds its way toward Mount Laguna and the weather station at Monument Peak. Big Laguna is a beautiful campground and loop hike. I would love to explore it further any chance I get. It sits at close to 6000 feet and consists of mountain meadows, where purple native grasses blow in the breeze, and dragonflies of every color, flit about. It’s a magical place, unlike any other I have seen in San Diego.
Little by little I have gotten to know this neck of the woods, and somehow it has started to feel all the more homey with each trip here. I had never been more ready to finish PCT Section A, finally. When I set a goal, I stick with it, that much I know. My motto is “Do it while you can.” So many people are gone too soon in life and will say manana, to almost everything. I don’t want to be sitting in an easy chair at 80 going…I sure wish I finished that PCT hike. Well, I was about to.
The danger of completing one goal with me is there is another waiting, just beyond it. I never know what it will be, or where, in the case of hikes. I have a long list of loosely defined places I would like to explore. Usually, there is some sort of hiking challenge or a peak attached to these. Whether it’s miles, gain, or completion of PCT Section A, it is gratifying to take on a challenge and complete it.
Today was the long-awaited day I would have the opportunity to finish the last 17.9 miles of section A, hiking from Sunrise Trailhead to Scissors Crossing.
By the time we were on the trail, it was around 8 am. I was grateful the weather seemed to be cooperating this morning. The sun was shining and it was forecast to be around 65 degrees out, which is not too warm to the point I would overheat. I tend to prefer cooler hiking temps like most hikers. Once it hovers in the 70’s, you sweat more and need to replenish your electrolytes more often.
As we approached the valley in the distance, then the wind started to gust, and I had to hang on to my hat. The wind speed only increased throughout the day, threatening to blow me over at times.
I was not concerned that much about the miles. The main things on my mind were my lack of sleep the night before, and being on the lookout for wildlife like snakes.
As I made my way north along a balcony, overlooking the green valley, Granite Mountain towered off in the distance. Beyond this, were several layers of rugged desert peaks.
Every section of the PCT has its own unique factors, and this place has a very remote feel given there are very few people who live in this area, between Julian and Borrego Springs.
I noticed my first butterfly of the trip, a Gray Buckeye, one I had not seen before. It decided to rest alongside the trail, and I was lucky enough to snap a photo before he fluttered away.
Spring flowers were in full bloom, but not nearly as abundant as in wetter, warmer years. Although plenty of rain had fallen this winter, it was too cool for a superbloom.
Still, there were plenty of bushes full of the tiny blooms of Golden Yarrow all around. I noticed a rare skipper moth enjoying the butterfly garden.
I noticed some fuzzy purple flowers springing forth from the thorn bushes.
There was a small scattering of tiny yellow and orange poppies as well, in a few areas.
As the trail cascaded its way into the valley, I noted a few confusing sharp turns up ahead and tried to be ready for them. One thing was certain, I was always on the lookout for Pct signs. They were easy to spot, since most of the time, a green Pct logo was affixed to them.
Sometimes the signs were more on the rustic side.
As I traveled through the valley, meandering up and over many rocky hills, I felt further and further from civilization.
The PCT is a place to get away from it all and step back from everyday life. Surrounded by butterflies, wildflowers, and bees, our priorities become more clear.
Amongst the dry grass, were displays of yarrow, poppies, and cactus in bloom.
Soon the landscape became much more boulder-strewn, and I came to a wide open valley, home to Banner Ranch. It’s a place many PCT hikers stop off at for resupply. I noticed several buildings in the distance and a ranch house.
I took a brief rest atop a boulder and had a snack. Just as I was about to continue on a red fox came scurrying up the path. He saw me, and stood puzzled a moment, before hurrying off in a panic. It was a very close encounter with wildlife and a reminder that this land is wild.
For most of the day, I would see no one on the trail. Eventually, I passed one solo man who mentioned he was hiking to Mount Laguna. He had quite a climb ahead of him, and it was starting to warm up.
I would notice several varieties of butterflies, and even a chuckwalla amongst the red rocky trail, and landscape. Desert hues were all around, with the Anza Borrego off in the distance
I had to take care since Yucca was abundant along the trailsides.
The fields were aglow in many shades of yellow. At this altitude, spring was at its peak. By mid-day, I had dropped down in elevation a bit, from the start at 5000 feet. The lower you go the warmer the temps will be, and I was prepared with a sun hat.
I noticed many monarch butterflies fluttering all about.
As I ventured further along the desert hues only intensified. I wanted to remember this time, the scenery, and the feeling, etching it in my mind. Pictures are a vain attempt at that.
As I dropped into the valley, I began to notice more and more desert vegetation. There were lots more cactus growing, and it was getting to around 70 degrees out. It felt warmer than that with the sun reflecting off all the rocks.
The funny thing is, were I to put myself in the shoes of a PCT hiker, heading to Canada, they would have no idea what to expect. But I did, since I had hiked beyond scissors before, all the way to Warner Springs.
This was as close as I was getting to being an official PCTr, but that was ok. I was now on the home stretch, and down to the last mile, of what would be a 17.9 mile day. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and everything was just the way it was meant to be.
I trekked on back through a stretch of dry grasses, and the trail began to level out. So for the last mile, it was a way to cool down taking a needed break from hiking up and down endless peaks, and valleys.
I made my way along this barbed wire fence line, all the way to the end and completed the adventure I set out upon a year prior.
As I stood at the PCT sign at Scissors Crossing, it felt good to complete my goal. In completing it, I realized that the challenges I take on really do mean something to me. It’s about growing as a person, and growing with God. It’s growth and change that last not just for one moment, but that will still matter years down the road.
There is beauty in completion, and though I may never complete the whole PCT, I completed the goal set before me, to finish PCT Section A. For now, it’s back to my everyday life, where I will continue to dream, of more adventures like this.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Phillipians 1:6
I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it is helpful in knowing what to expect, should you decide to visit here.
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I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2024 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
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