Cruisey Desert
5/18/25
Start: 583.3 Golden Oaks
End: 594.1 Miller Spring
Trail miles: 10.8 (plus two to get water)
Sleeping system: tent
Total miles: 469.6
Today's ascent: 2348'
I slept with ear plugs in all night for the wind, so I slept decently. I just hoped that if anyone had any trouble they'd scream loud because otherwise I might miss it.
That was probably my second best windy night of sleep. The night just below Fuller Ridge on San Jacinto was pretty windy and I used ear plugs that night too. I'm learning.
Boots and I were out of camp around 8 and I had to filter some water for the day.
We were hiking by 8:20 and it was pretty cruisy. Some ups and downs but mostly headed along the ridgelines so it felt pretty good. There were a couple sections with stronger wind but I only got knocked off balance once or twice, so it was a much better day.
I caught Boots once while he was taking a break, we chatted a bit and I fell behind and then I didn't see him again. I stopped for my club crackers, cheese and meat stick lunch and took off my shoes and socks to give my feet a break. I was in the sun but it was fairly windy so I got cold and had to get moving again. I leapfrogged with Sister Blister and Clam Chowder today, but they were doing 25 miles to get to the next water source so I probably won't see them again.
I got to the intersection where I could head for water (a mile away, up a couple hundred yards and then downhill for .8 of a mile (or some such thing)). There was no sign of Boots so I offloaded some of my heavy stuff from my pack into the tall grass (I didn't want it obvious from the dirt road, but I wanted Big Bill and Airbender to see it so they would know I was at the spring). I took off for the water thinking I'd find Boots down there, but also on the way down I wasn't seeing any obviously new tracks. I got to the spring and there wasn't any sign anyone had been there. I decided to take 7 liters back up because last night I got through two liters and I have longer in camp tonight. I brought 3 with me for 11 miles today and ran out at 10, so I figured it would be nice to have some extra to play with in the morning.
It took me about an hour to gather and filter the water, and then I had to hike the mile back out. On the way up the hill I saw Big Bill and Airbender and asked if they'd seen Boots. They hadn't.
I'm pretty sure he took off with two liters of water from the spring this morning, so I'm a little worried about him but he's a grown up. If he decided to go another 9 miles to water, that was his choice. A lot of people skipped this water because of the added distance.
I got back up to the top of the hill, grabbed my effects, and found the tree where BB & A left their packs. I had a look around and found a decent site pretty close. They had invited me over for dinner if I wanted to join them. I set up my tent, took my camp shower and put on my pajamas. By the time I was done they were back and filtering and snacking. We enjoyed a lovely dinner in the sun. As soon as the sun started to go behind the trees the temperature dropped about five degrees and I went to bed.
I'm all caught up on my journals now (it took me a couple nights) and it's pretty chilly and windy. I hammered (rocked? stoned?) in my tent stakes to make it as low and wind resistant as I could. It's still not great. I have my pack up against the wall of the tent on one side to help block the air. It's helpful, but the air comes from every direction so it's not a perfect system.
Tomorrow we have a little over 9 miles to water and then some decent camp options and a bunch more water. It'll be nice to feel less stressed about water for a couple days.
To adventure and beyond!
Love, Mission
