Mile 58 to 77.5

Unusual wind swept clouds over the Anza Borrego Desert.

Section A
The most northern access to the PCT along Sunrise Hwy to Scissors Crossing - Nobo
Miles: 19
Hikers: Dan & Gary

Lodging:  Mt. Laguna Lodge

Car Rental:  Hertz Car Rental – Imperial County Int’l Airport, El Centro, CA

Dining:  Subway in El Centro, CA 

Start:  From Mt. Laguna Lodge we drove north on the Sunrise Hwy parking where Deer Park Road (don’t be deceived by the term “Road” as it looks more like a dirt driveway that is gated) joins the Sunrise Hwy on the west.  To access the PCT you must cross the road (Hwy) which is at the edge of a drop off and scramble down a moderately steep rough path about 30’.

End:  The previous night we dropped of a car at Scissors Crossing which is at mile 77.5 on the PCT or where County Hwy 3 cuts across Hwy 78.  On the north side of Hwy 78 on County Hwy 2 there is a large shoulder where we parked our car.  While we were the only car there at night there were 3-5 cars parked during the day.

People along the trail:  The PCT sign is something every hiker looks for – it confirms you are on the right trail and means you won’t have to retrace your steps and add more miles to your already long hiking day.  One thing I have noticed that under the PCT signs they either have illustrations or spell out “no motorized vehicles, no mountain bikes”.  The PCT does allow horses – the horse world was very instrumental in passing the original PCT legislation through Congress.  So…we came across about 5 through hikers just cleaning camp at mile 64.  Of course we stopped and chatted with them for a few minutes and then we were on our way.  The trail continues up a jeep trail.  I’m a faster hiker than Gary so I motored on ahead.  About 0.125 miles up the hill I saw a faint trail split off the road with a sign but no PCT logo so I continued up the road another 100 yds to a flat spot to wait for Gary.  From this flat spot I could only see 10 yards down the trail/road as it curved and there were some bolders blocking the view.  After 5 minutes… no Gary.  I checked my GPS and found that the faint trail was the PCT.  I hiked back down and took the faint trail (PCT) and checked my GPS – yes this was the trail.  Still no Gary so I hiked back to see if Gary had made it up the hill yet.  When I got back… still no Gary so I wait another 5 minutes.  By this time I know Gary would have made it up the hill so I figured he either made the correct turn on to the faint trail (PCT) and I missed him or he missed the faint trail and continued up the road while I was on the faint trail (PCT).  Gary is an extremely logical and experienced hiker so I assumed he took the faint trail (PCT) so I started jogging to find him.  After about 0.5 miles I saw him up ahead and started walking to catch up to him.  I turned back to look where the trail split and the through hikers we passed 15 minutes ago missed the turn-off too.  I yelled to get their attention – no response.  They will eventually figure out they're were off the PCT.  After catching Gary I quizzed him why he took the unmarked trail he said "it didn't have the PCT logo but it said 'no mountain bikes' so I took it".  Very smart.  I learned an important lesson today… always wait at trail crossings for your whole party.

 Description:  As we drove to the trailhead there were spectacular wind swept clouds with the sun coming up – it was spectacular.  The trail drops off the Mt. Laguna rim into the Anza Borrego Desert.  After Rodriguez Canyon the desert really gets pretty.  I’m a desert expert having lived in Arizona for 25 years.  If you hike this section in mid-late April you will see unbelievable cactus blossoms (check out my photos below).  This is really the only true desert portion of the PCT between the Mexican Border and Big Bear (most people look at barren land and call it desert but it’s the plants/cactus that truly define a desert).

We finished about 5 pm, jumped into the car left the previous day and drove back to pick up the other car, dropped of the rental car in El Centro, ate at Subway, and cruised back to Phoenix.

PCT lined with desert flowers.

Indian Paint Brush.

Hedge Hog Cactus

Long Horn Cactus.  It is actually considered a green blossom.
I would call it YELLOW/green.  But technically it is the only plant with a green blossom. Hmmm....

A rare type of Prickley Pear Cactus.
Most are greener and have yellow blossoms.

A little PCT Graffiti/humor left by previous hikers I presume.

Water Cache left by a trail angel. 
This is in the middle of a 30 mile dry stretch of the PCT.
Day hikers should appreciate the trail magic but not partake.
Day hikers can carry enough water for the day.  Leave the Water Caches for the through hikers.