Back-up and I arrived at Julian around 1pm. We hitched the 12 miles in from Scissors Crossing, named for the shape the crossing highways make. This is a well known place on the PCT, there is a water cache under the bridge, and after crossing the road the trail climbs high into the next mountainous section.
The night before we stayed at a "camp" that consisted of a turn-around on a truck road, next to a fire water reservoir. We had to filter our water, but the source was clear, and we had lots of company in camp. We hiked out at sunrise, and climbed over some hills beolow a huge mountain called, Granit Peak. After traversing this hillside our path cut across an open falley towards Scissors Corssing. This open stretch was HOT! IT was also the first point on the trail that we had spotted Joshua Trees, and a signifigant jump in the ammount of cactus along the trail. Luckully we had lots of shade to sit in when it got really sunny, and since we left camp early we made it to the water cache before it was to hot in the afternoon.
Next, we hitched the 12 miles into Julian. A gold rush era town that was quaint as can be. We were picked up by two ladies that were excited to ask us about our hike. One of them had hiked the PCT last year, and planned to start the AT later this summer. Dealing with the motion sickness that comes with going around steep turns was hard, but we made it to town no worse off then we started. That night we had showers and amazing dinners, Julian has some great restraunts. And we managed to get our box and food for the next few days in no time at all.
May other hikers were also in Julian with us. Three of our friends had stopped into town but had made their way back to Scissors crossing, they planned to get up early and hike up the ridge before it got to hot. We were sad to see them go, but we know we will see them in Warrner Springs on Saturday. We shared some laughs with hikers we have met, and others that werre new to us. It is truely amazing how people connect on the trail, we all share in the stress of hiking, and the joy that comes from each respite from walking.
It can be painful to shoulder a full pack after a resupply, but knowing that you are ready to cover more ground is so satisfing. (Carrying a full package of Oreos helps too! 100 calories per cookie!) We now prepare to hitch back to the trail, and them camp there tonight. Tomorrow we will hike up the ridge in the morning, then its three days to our next town. But as we climb the ridge the weather will cool, and we will get even further towards our goal, and day by day our packs will grow lighter once again.
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