Miles: 14.1

Total Trail Miles: 91.2

Ascent/Descent: 2647/1281 ft

Start Time: 6:43

End Time: 12:05

Temperature: 17°C (63) 

There is a free bus (guy that drives the school bus) shuttle that runs hikers back out to trail that leaves at 5:45 so it was an early start. We packed up a quietly as we could and headed down to the post office where it picks up. Sassy, Conor and Christina decided they would spend one more day in Julian as Sassy and Conor wanted to watch a basketball game and Christina wanted another day to rest her blistered feet. Me, Andrew, Eleanor - Shortcut (British), Titouan (French), Jim - Uncle and a few others caught the bus. It was a beautiful sunrise and there was trail magic under the underpass when we arrived, apple purée and Pringles for breakfast and a water cache. We filled up 3 litres as there was no water until our camping spot in 14 miles. I was the last to set off as I replaced my bag and went to the loo before setting off, but still got going at 6:45. It was a steeper climb for the first couple of miles then a more gradual incline for the rest of the hike. Starting off in the cool of the early morning with the added cloud cover was soo nice and a contrast to our last proper day on trail. I had my new sun gloves on but didn't really need them for the first few hours. It started at a chilled pace enjoying all the new plants and flowers, it was the best day so far for the spring bloom and there were lots more cool new cacti and plants in this section. I stopped to put some moleskin on some sore spots on my feet from my new shoes to try and prevent blisters. I saw two little grey snakes and lots more lizards and birds. L after in the morning I caught up with and walked with Titouan for a while, and interesting French videographer who had studied in the US during covid. We arrived at the campus at midday and although could have continued decided to stick to our original plan and camp here and just have a chilled afternoon hanging out. We saw a baby rattlesnake slither right past where we were all lying in the shade. Me, Andrew, Shortcut, Titouan, Uncle passed the time chatting, a lot about food and sharing stories till evening. Was in bed by 19:45