March 27

March 27. At 5am I got up and hit the trail.  The smell of the desert flora arose deliciously until the sun beat unrelenting under a cloudless sky. How do you record a smell for later "reading?" I saw one snake lying across the trail about 8:30. It didn't move as I stepped past--too cold maybe.

I put my fingers to the trail about 11am and guessed about hot tub warm 105 F. Already present at Hauser Canyon: Thelma and Louise, Hunter & Sleeper. Trail angels had left about 40 liters of water--a good thing, as Hauser Creek was dry. I waited in the shade about two hours, prepping myself for the hot 800' climb to Lake Morena. After topping out the trail leveled off but some sections of trail were steeply v shaped--where do you put your feet? 

I got to the campground where Hiker Terry had reserved a site away from that saved for PCT hikers. Hiker Anthony joined us.

Lake M: Cheeseburger! The campground bustled 'til 10pm then turned quiet. 

Campo Creek to Lake Morena was about an 18 mile walk. I cowboy camped (on the ground, no tent or tarp) at Lake Morena Campground.