The long trail! Warner Springs

We rode some more when we ran into some cows.  Janine ran off the cows with her horse because her dog was hurt by cows before.  Aero was afraid and only wanted to get out of there.  Dakota just stood there watching, unafraid.  It was now Aero’s turn to conquer the cows.  Janine helped by having Aero follow her.  Once he knew he could move the cows he was no longer afraid.  

Eagle Rock!

I told Mr. Sunshine that he should grab Dakota as he might take off.  Janine’s horse too, was pulling back.  She had gotten up, grabbed Dakota, then, went to pull her reins from the rock.  She had dropped Dakota’s reins and I didn’t see a reason to grab them again.  In about 2 seconds flat, Dakota started galloping across the grassy hills.  Aero followed, hobbled!  They were about a half mile away when they stopped.  Paul walked after them and Janine rode her horse.  Two of the oncoming riders diverted from their group and also went after Aero and Dakota.  I stayed on top the mountain to guard the food and secretly smiling at the ordeal.  It was a beautiful sight to see the steeds running across the grassy hills.  I knew they couldn’t go anywhere as it was a ranch that was fenced, with gates on either side where the PCT passes through.  We had our fun for the day.  Mr. Sunshine rode Aero back while Janine ponied Dakota.  We then finished our lunch and had a nice chat.  

We stopped at a pile of jumbo rocks across from Eagle Rock to have lunch.  There were people at Eagle Rock and I didn’t want to interrupt them.  Janine tucked her reins into a cleft of the rock and Aero was hobbled.  I just let Dakota loose because, after all, he wouldn’t leave the “herd”.  We sat down to a wonderful shared lunch of cheese, nuts, salmon, bread, fruitcake and lebkuchen.  As we were eating and taking in the beautiful scenery, Dakota was getting agitated.  There were some riders coming in the distance, about 6 of them. 

Riding on the edge!

We purposely skipped over the section from Scissors Crossing to Barrel Spring so Janine could ride with us.  She really wanted to ride a beautiful section from Barrel Spring to Warner Springs and would take us through a beautiful valley and to Eagle Rock.  We drove to Barrel Spring the night before because there was a good area in which to high-line the horses.  We met Janine, with our horses, in the morning at the intersection of Hwy. 79 and S22.  We put our horses in her stock trailer and drove both rigs to Warner Springs.  We parked our rig at the 2^nd crossing of the PCT in Warner Springs and all got in her rig and returned to Barrel Spring.  We had a beautiful relaxing day and a little fun too.

Water! An oasis in the desert!

Cinch up!

We couldn’t wait to get back on the trail.  We drove back to the Sunrise Creek Trailhead last night.  It was late, but we needed there the night before so we could get an early start today.  Another Backcountry Horseman, from the San Diego Unit, Bart Switzer and his wife, met us at 8:30 AM at Sunrise Creek Trailhead.  We had already begun cleaning the horses and tacking up.  This would be the first time we met them.  He drove our rig to Scissors Crossing where we would meet it.  At the 9 mile mark we had lunch, at the Rodriguez Spur Fire Tank.  There was wonderful water and all we could want.

We got there long before they did.  We found a place for the horses to graze and good water at a water tank.  When they arrived, we agreed to have them come over and visit that night, since we’d stay another night before going home.  We were a day ahead so we had the extra time.  We cleaned all the tack and took it easy for the afternoon.  We also drove into Julian to get gas and try to get a Forest Adventure Pass.

Just before Sunrise Trailhead. Beautiful scenery to end the day.

One of many "Cliff Walks" ! Dakota is always steady.

Pioneer Mail to Sunrise trailhead.

This was one more very easy day.  We figured we’d make it easy on purpose since we also had a three hour drive home.  We drove back to Pioneer Mail to pick up the trail where we left off.  Janine and Lance would pick up our unit and drop it off at Sunrise Creek Trailhead on their way to Palm Springs. 

Close to the town of Mount Laguna.  As you can see in all the pictures, I always wear a backpack.  It's not large, but it holds 3 liters of water as well as essential things should I become separated from my horse.  I've got a down jacket, rain gear, hat, gloves, and an emergency kit that contains fire starter, an energy bar and emergency shelter.  Pray for the best and plan for the worst!

Looking out over Anza Borrego desert. The views are fabulous!  I don't know if you can see it in the picture, but on the left of the mountains in the background, you can see all the way to Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio, two high mountains in So. Ca. that we will go over in the days to come.  It would be nice if the snow would hold off until we cross them! 

Starting Day Three. Mile 40.  This morning we were able to meet our rig long enough to pull all the tack out of the horse trailer because it was being moved to another location.  Once Janine left, we realized we forgot our saddle pads!  Oops.  At least we had a phone signal there at Volunteer Headquarters (also called Red Tailed Roost) and I was able to call her and ask her to come back. 

Cibetts Road

Fred Canyon road. Unexploded Ordinance!  Don't know if you can read the sign, but it says to stay on the trail because there are unexploded ordinances in the area.  A plane crashed in this area, from Camp Pendleton, about a year ago.  While they tried to clean up everything they could find, there could still be some live ammunition around.

Kitchen Creek Road

Lunch at Long Canyon

Mile 37.5 Lunch at Long Canyon.  Okay, so we ate lunch there too, but we didn't eat grass!  This was a beautiful and warm day.  We woke up at Boulder Oaks with the sun and took our time eating breakfast and getting the horses tacked up.  We only had a 15 mile day ahead of us, but a good climb uphill.  We began at 3500 feet and rode up to just under 6000 feet.  I love how the horses stay with us when we are the only ones around.  We don't tie or hobble them when there's good grazing....even in January!

Looking east, toward Yuma. Interstate 8 from mile 31

Starting up the grade toward Kitchen Creek

Interstate 8 from mile 27.

Day Two, starting out from Boulder Oaks campground

There is grazing! It can be found even in January.

Above Hauser Creek

Houser Canyon, was our halfway point. Stopped for lunch, water, and 10 minutes rest (yes only 10 minutes!)

Chomping at the bit!!

January 1, 2014 Beginning of the grand adventure. On this day we went 26 miles to Boulder Oaks.

Thanks for your prayers, there were no problems of any kind. The horses were tired, and we were too. But we were ready to go again the next day. We had cashed water Houser creek, Aero drank 3 gallons and Dakota drank 2. Very steep both into and out of Houser Canyon. Special thanks to the Backcountry Horsemen Association of San Diego, and Billi-Jo, for moving our rig to Boulder Oaks. Thanks also to Jennine, who met us on the trail and led us part of the way.

It was dark.  It was cold.  The alarm goes off at 5 AM on the 1st day of the New Year and it was below freezing.  We have a long day ahead of us.  We must get up and feed the horses and feed us and be ready to leave at 6:30.  It is a 30 minute drive to the border, where we would still need to tack up and be ready to ride at 8 AM.  It was windy and it was still cold as we sign the log in book on the back of the monument, marking the beginning of the 2650 mile Pacific Crest Trail.  Okay, so the mileage this year is 2659; it changes a little each year with detours.  We wave goodbye to Billi-Jo, who would bring our trailer back to Boulder Oaks, 26 trail miles north.  Here begins our journey and adventure with our two horses Aero and Dakota.  Aero is a young horse, only five years old, but he is ready!  He's a little on the thin side and we know he may get thinner, but we'll do our best to keep weight on him.  18 months ago, when we bought him, he was very green and 400 pounds underweight.  Now he's a very good trail horse, with a very good mind and a very sharp eye and only 100 pounds underweight!  Wish I had that problem.  Dakota, on the other hand, is 15 years old and the mature one in our little herd of two.  He also is very sure footed and has a keen sense of everything around him.  He also loves to please.  We begin, not knowing what may lie ahead.  We choose not to camp at Hauser Creek for several reasons, so we knew we had a long way to go on our first day out.  Aero had brand new boots on and a brand never tried before, so we also didn't know if we may have rubbing issues.  As the day wears on, I'm shedding layers, as the temperatures were getting up in the mid-60's; nice and warm for a January day.  Our goal is to make it to Lake Morena by 2 PM to meet up with another friend, Janine, who will ride with us the last six miles.  After a short stop for lunch at Hauser Creek, we still made it before 3 PM.  Surprisingly, my phone got a weak signal, so we were able to call ahead and let Janine know we were running a little late.  Dakota stopped suddenly on the trail when he met up with a dog, Janine's dog!  She rode out to meet us.  She then led us through a dry river bottom to our destination at Boulder Oaks.  This would prove to be a much easier route although it didn't save many trail miles.  Our camper and trailer were a welcomed sight, as the weather was getting cold fast as the sun set.  I'm sure Aero and Dakota enjoyed having their blankets too.  We don't normally blanket at home, but this was a big change from the weather they are used to.  So, as Paul took care of the horses, I took care of dinner.  We were ready for bed soon after dinner.  It was a very long day; about 8 hours in the saddle, but we were also very content.

Gail