Wednesday, March 27, 2019 – 13.60 miles
The scenery transitioned into meadows, oak trees and cows. At Eagle Rock I unexpectedly reunited with 5150, who now has the trail name Bake. He explained that on the first day of his hike, he had fallen in with a group of twenty-year-olds and injured himself matching their pace – they’re already at Mt. San Jacinto. Heal soon. Don’t be cajoled by any more twenty-somethings.
San Ysidro and Canada Verde creeks were flowing strong. Both were lined with hoofprints and a group of cows was enjoying a campsite near Canada Verde.
I passed a tree with a sign saying ‘Bee Tree’ and beneath that was a sign with tiny print. Moving closer, I saw that it was a warning about bee stings. I looked up and saw bees swarming overhead (…).
Shortly afterwards I arrived at Warner Springs and headed to the community centre, where hikers are permitted to camp by donation with perks like bathrooms, water, outlets and bucket showers/laundry. There was even a mobile gear shop that sets up shop at Warner Springs, Kennedy Meadows and Etna during thru-hiking season. The community centre was already closed when I arrived, but the gear shop was open. I grudgingly bought a new water filter and should purchase something for the chafe as well.
I reunited with the German hiker from the RV park, Katarina, and we walked with two hikers named Mosey and Peter to the school, where students were selling tacos as a fundraiser. They were out of chicken and I don’t eat pork, so I got a vegetarian version which was a plate of beans with guacamole and another plate with tortillas. It wasn’t super appetizing but I suppose it was for a worthy cause. Later we walked to the gas station, where I bought ice cream. The town has a path marked from the community centre to the post office/gas station/resort so hikers don’t have to walk on the highway.
