Category: Wilderness Hikes

Backpacking PCT Section A – Day 1

@serafinahikes

I have thought and wondered about hiking the PCT a lot of the years. Living in Southern California, not far from the trail, I had hiked on short sections of it, out and back. I had not yet backpacked or thru hiked an entire section before. Section A starts in Campo, CA and is 107.1 miles long, ending in Warner Springs, CA. The prospect of hiking 100 miles was exciting to me. I knew the time to do it was in spring, after the nights warmed above freezing, and preferably after the winter time rains ended.

Los Pinos Peak

@serafinahikes

It was a beautiful day for a 6 mile hike to Los Pinos Peak. I decided to head off into the Santa Ana Mountains. Heading north on Main Divide Road from Ortega Highway, there were two water crossings we had to make, which was not expected.

PCT Section A – 35 Miles from Scissors Crossing to Warner Springs

@serafinahikes

I section hiked PCT Section A, starting in Scissors Crossing, as a solo female backpacker. I planned to hike to Warner Springs, and flip back to Campo, when I had a permit, which would be April.

Palm Canyon

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It was late February 2023 when I visited Palm Canyon. It is located within a rocky gorge, within the Indian Canyons area of the 32,000 acre Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. It is just south of the city of Palm Springs, along South Palm Canyon Drive. 

The Boo Hoff Trail

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I decided to hike the Boo Hoff Trail in La Quinta, CA in late February. The trail begins at The Cove trailhead, which is the jumping off point for a network of several other trails, such as the Cove to Lake Trail, and the Bear Creek Oasis, along with some unmarked ones. There is a free parking lot, restrooms, and a shade structure there.