Day 8: Desert Tent Site - Warner Springs

Date: 15.04.2018

Miles hiked today: 20 miles

Total Mileage: 109.5

Today we planned to get up early as we want to try and get into Warner Springs, which is a 20 miles hike. We have never done such a long hike before on the PCT and want to have enough time. So timer was set for 5:30am but when the alarm rang we were both not very motivated to leave our warm sleepingbacks. Also I did not have a good night sleep as I was worried about the tarantula wholes below my tent. Obviously, no Tarantula or any other animal creeped out at night but the image was stock in my head and would not let me sleep! So finally we got up around 6am and hit the Trail shortly after 7am.

Today, I had the speedy runners on and took off. The first couple of miles were all uphill. The views were nice but the trail could have been massively shorter without all the very loooong switchback which was a little demotivating. Me still being tired I nearly missed the 100 mile marker and we both didn't feel the great achievement we have done so far but still had the +10 miles to Warner Springs in mind. Hence, we took a picture and kept on walking. Actually you would think that downhill walking is much easier, faster and more fun. But it hits your feed and knees much harder than uphill walking. So today we had a couple of miles uphill walking in the morning but the rest of the day was basically all downhill. Shortly after we passed the 100 mile marker my feed started to sore a lot and I did not know how ever we shall reach Warner Springs today! At mile 101 we met Rahel and her Mum at a beautiful spot below trees and green grass and decided to stop for a while and relax our feeds. A trail angel passed by with free cold beer! Amazing! After that treat we decided to hike on for 6 more miles at least to the famous eagle rock, which we definitely want to see today. Once there, we can decide if we feel to hike for another 4 miles into Warner Springs or if we want to camp there and call it a day. These 6 miles turned out to be much further away then we thought. We were walking pretty slow due to our backs and feed hurting, listening to music to keep us motivated. Thankfully the landscape changed positively. We passed thru the beautiful Warner Springs Meadows. It was a magic place, feeling like a hidden place full of magic. I wouldn't have been surprised if suddenly Alice in Wonderland would walk along! :) Crossing another little spring we decided to pop our feed into the cold water which was a really nice treat. Shortly after we finally reached Eagle Rocks. It is really amazing and I can hardly believe that this rock is pure nature and not touched or shaped by humans! Rachel and her Mum where there too and together we decided to hike the 4 miles into Warner Springs expectation to get some nice Pizza tonight. None of us could hardly walk anymore and it took us ages to humble into Warner Springs Community Center where we finally arrived around 6:30 pm. Warner Springs welcomes PCT Hikers and allows them to set up their camp in the sport ground of the school. There is also a little outfitter truck and a community center where some food and other items can be purchased, bucket showers, cloth washing possibilities, toilets, charging possibilities etc.  Joanne and me did our first 20 miles hike today - pretty awesome!! Pizza shall reward us. Warner Springs is such a small place that Uber does not exist. The only restaurant open is about 1 mile away but I did not want to walk any more steps today. As the place closes in little less than an hour Joanne and Rahel decided to walk while Rahels mum and me would try to hitch hike. Whoever is first at the restaurant orders food. It took us several attempts to get a car stopped which was willing to bring us to the restaurant  - and it was a Smart! Three of us squashed into it :) Luckily no sheriff passed by. Arriving at the restaurant first we were told that food orders are only taken until 7 pm, and it was 7:10 pm. I begged and could manage to get one pizza for all of us. As we were really hungry that was by far not enough. Checking out all other guests table with uneaten food left I asked if we can finish their plates :) So our table was filled with all left overs from other guests and we could still our hunger! It was cheap too :) A little later we got a lift back to the campground and felt asleep after this very successful hiking day.