Trail Diary: The Trans Catalina Trail – 12 Mile Loop from Two Harbors to Parsons Landing Day 3

It was the 3rd day of my journey on the TCT. I woke up at 6 am, and was still exhausted. I planned to get in an 11 mile hike today. Everything I needed was laid out and ready to go. I just had to get out of bed. It was an epic day hike all the way to Parsons Landing. I had just about completed my Trans Catalina Trail thru hike. The whole 12 mile loop on Day 3, took me 8 hrs, with a few short breaks along the way. I grabbed a cold drink at the store, and headed back to camp, to pack up for my 4:45 pm ferry ride home.

Hole in the Wall and the Mojave National Preserve

It was early March, when I drove out to the Mojave Desert. It's a place I don't really hear about much, unless someone is referencing a place that is brutally hot. You have no doubt heard, "at least we are not in the Mojave," once of twice in your lifetime. So what exactly would I find in a place that is hot, dry, and empty. That's about all I knew about it, and that there were things called Gila Monsters.

Road Trip on Highway 78: Snow in San Diego, and Desert Sculptures

It’s early March as I drive down Highway 78 toward the town of Julian. California is cool right now at sea level, and at about 4000 feet in elevation, there is snow. I would visit Inspiration Point, Galletta Meadows, and Hellhole Canyon, in Anza Borrego.

San Onofre Bluffs Hike

Just south of San Clemente, off Basilone road, you continue driving south past the powerplant toward San Onofre State Beach, where there is a campground, along with miles of bluffs, and trails.