Walk in the woods

Mile 39 - 47
Pine at southern edge of Mount Laguna forest - Laguna Campgrounds

Yesterday it was already dark when l set up a cowboy camp under a pine tree near thresher of mount Laguna forest. The night was windy and stars were shining brightly. The first rays of the rising sun woke me up. Only then l discovered there were two hikers, Linna and Henryk from Sweden, also camping behind the bushes. Again the trail was full of life with lizards and big beetles.






The landscape changed completely. At mile 40 the trail enters the Laguna mountain forest, a rare mixed woodland area with old pine and oak trees. It felt almost like being back in Central Europe!




Surrounded by forest is the little village of Mount Laguna. Best restaurant so far on the PCT with delicious hot tea and oatmeal for breakfast. The place is very hiker-friendly. The Cafe was complete with parking spot for our backpacks and cell phone charging station. Perfect spot to refuel hikers' empty stomachs and their hungry electronic companions.
Another handy spot in the village was a "hiker box" with tons of stuff left over by other hikers. I grabbed a free spoon, whistle, towel, and leukotape for treating my little blister.
After having breakfast at the cafe my Czech comrades suddenly appeared :-) Encouraged by their appetite, l also ordered a delicious vegan chili soup for lunch. It was great to meet up again. On the PCT you can walk solo and keep your own pace, but still "You'll never walk alone!"






After a long rest stop at the cafe we set off to continue our journey. For the next few miles the trail leads us through beautiful shady forest with squirrels, woodpeckers and colorful flowers.
But very shortly the landscape changes again. For the first time we get a glimpse of a real desert, barren and with very little vegetation. The water body on the horizon is the  salty Salton Sea, California's largest inland lake.








The trail winded in and out of forest, into shady green spots and out to the edge of the Anza Borrego desert. Finally at a lookout some tourists showed me a way to a forest campground between pine trees. Time to call it a day, there will be very few trees for the next 80 miles.
My Czech comrades also reach the same camping ground. There is fresh water and good company of about 14 PCT hikers. We fall asleep under the stars and the voice of the owl.