PCT Thru-Hike #3: Lake Morena & Cibbets Flat
Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail was a life-changing experience for Arthur and Jill. This is our story.
Follow the PCT thru-hike adventure from the beginning and hike with us to mile 2,650.
Lake Morena
Written by Jill
Mama and I had an early start this morning after night hiking to a slanted campsite. It’s a good thing we like cuddling because my sleeping pad slid downhill and I was squishing her all night. Lesson one for campsite selection.
There was a steep downhill for about a half a mile and then we climbed up and out of Hauser Canyon. We caught up with Rt while he was napping in the shade on the side of the trail. I was so impressed by mama’s ability to push through her blisters and shaky legs. She crushed that mountain : )
We crested the canyon wall and hiked two more miles to a beautiful view of dry Lake Morena. After that it was a short downhill to the Lake Morena Campground where we found the dedicated PCT hiker campsite and several smiling hikers.
We sat at Lake Morena, waiting for my papa to come pick up mama. I am so proud of her! She hiked the 20 miles from Campo to Lake Morena like a total badass. Rt and I were carrying on tomorrow morning, but I am so glad mama walked the first two days with us (she laughs at all my jokes!).
Papa drove down with burgers for grilling and we had a little picnic before saying goodbye. It has been a blast so far! Also, I sunburned my legs (tsk tsk).
Signed by Hundreds of Fish-Outta-Water Hikers– There Were Few Trail Names This Early!
Cibbets Flat
Written by Jill
We woke up early this morning to the sound of snoring hikers. Several people had trickled in from Campo the night before and the hiker campsite was brimming with ultralight tents.
Rt and I planned to be on trail by 6:30am, but we ran into a hitch in the form of our external battery. My phone was dead and somehow the external had been turned on during the night and was dead as well. We ended up spending an extra hour at Lake Morena sitting by the outlet charging my phone.
The timing worked out that as we were leaving a fellow hiker, trail-named Tackleberry, was gearing up as well. The three of us set out together. We passed under a bridge which was graffitied by hikers of years past. We added our own names, of course. Our trio cruised at teo miles per hour for the first six miles and then slowed as the trail began its 18 mile climb to 6000 feet and Mt. Laguna.
There was water after six miles at Cibbet’s Flat Campground and so that became our goal. Rt and I hiked with Tac for a while and then took off at our own pace to reach Cibbet’s Flat. The view from the hillside trail was breathtaking, and we were able to see all the way back to where we started three days prior.
Since the two of us made good time to the campground we decided to make more miles before we set up our tent. As we were hiking out, Tac was coming in. We said a quick hello and told him our plan. He needed to stay at Cibbet’s to manage some foot pain so we sadly parted ways. The miles had gone by quickly with such a friendly person to talk to — I hope you heal up soon Tac!
Rt and I trudged up the half mile climb out of Cibbet’s Flat and continued hiking for four more miles before we found a great place to set up our tent while the sun was setting.
Want to start from the beginning of the hike? Click here.
See more pictures from Arthur and Jill’s Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike by downloading the Adventure and The Pacific Crest Trail eBook. A print version is available as well. All sales help support Better Hiker.
