Backbone Trail and Fire Reflections

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of hiking the Backbone Trail. Starting at either Pt Mugu or Will Rogers State Park, the trail hugs the center of the Santa Monica Mountains. This is an area that I grew up in, but hadn't spent that much time hiking. It was such a pleasure hiking through areas I'd only seen off in the distance. The sand stone boulders and rock faces never disappointed.

The first night my buddy Roy drove up to the
Mische Mokwa trail head to bring me much needed supplies. Over the course of 4 days I hike 62 miles through this beautiful landscape.

Unfortunately I called my home short, as the Woolsey fire made its way across the chapparal wilderness near Thousand Oaks, and jump over the freeway to the hills I was hiking. It quickly made its way to areas I'd grown up in. Many of the areas my friends and family live in were burned.

My heart goes out to all those that lost so much. But I'm grateful I got to see these areas before it burned down.

CCT - Del Norte Co to Humboldt Co

October 1st

Got dropped off by a kind man who gave me a ride 180 miles to my starting point. I walked out the beach, and stared south. For the next couple months I'll be hiking the infrequented route known as the California Coast Trail. 1200 miles of towns, beaches, massive driftwood, and of course flora and fauna. I'm beyond impressed already by there sweetness of the landscape. But that quickly ends as the beach becomes too treacherous to hike, and need to road walk till I get to the dunes 10 miles away. The afternoon get a filled quickly with a tear in my rain jacket. My feet begrudgingly remember the beauty and pain of walking. This evening I dined on delicious cold soaked oatmeal with dates and creamy peanut butter. Tomorrow I wake up early to meet the mid tide and hike sandy beaches til I reach the Del Norte Coast

Sometimes it feels like I'm possessed. By something that cares so deeply, I couldn't begin to comprehend it. So I don't. I'm grateful that I get to pack my bag, say a quick mantra, and slog down the sandy beach.

Frogs lul me to sleep

16 miles

Oct 2nd

The coast revealed some of its wonders today. Strands of spider web floated through the sky like an innocent dancer. A seagul who was caught in a dead seagul wing allowed me to cut her free. I walked until noon before I made it to Crescent City, my first spot for water since I began. I powered up my phone and battery pack at the local library, ate a container of hummus and bag of chips, and meandered down the road.

Now I'm resting somewhat close by to the redwood hwy. Far enough away to hear a pin drop amongst these audacious redwoods and sequioas (I think)

Ran into a ranger who said be sure to hang my food. Cougar and Bear are out here plenty

I'm so grateful to be here. Tonight I sleep at the base of a massive tree

22 miles

Oct 3rd

Woke up amongst the redwood in near isolation. The bird reminded me that my snooze alarm had gone off an hour earlier. I spent the earlier part of the day hiking on a trail. Then the ruggedness of the 101 reared its ugly head. Cars accompanied me for the next 17 miles. Plenty of shoulder though. I crossed the Klamath river and headed into the redwood forest. The next day or so will be on the coast. Weather predictions are rain from Friday through the weekend. It's drizzling slightly now.

The hills are plentiful here. So is my boundless love for walking. I've seen a lot of cycle tourists along the way. Let's me know I'm on the right track

21 miles

Oct 4th

Spent the entire day hiking on the beach

The sun was warm and didn't let up at all. Perfect temperature. 60 degrees and barely any sweating. I woke up this morning to a home in my food bag. Some mice got my peanuts so; bye bye peanuts. If you're ever backpacking and think it's ok to eat food that mice have been on, just ask yourself how sick you want to get  in the middle of a trail

Came out of the forest this morning to the largest Rosevelt Elk I've ever seen. Horns were massive

I really can't get enough of this driftwood

I pushed hard today through dense sand. Payed close attention to the waves, high and low tide. Everyday I'm grateful to rise and fall with the sun.

18 miles

Oct 5th

First five days of walking are always hard on me. Usually there's a blister involved, something has charged, the weather is brutal, and the terrain is wearing on me. This time it's all of them. Not to mention that most of the day my battery on my phone is almost dead, my backup is out because I've watched too much Netflix, and I'm heading into two days of solid rain.

Woke up this morning cold. Thankfully since I don't have a down sleeping bag, the synthetic stayed dry. The sun came out long enough to dry everything out before the clouds came in. I was grateful that the trail seemed to be clear. But that all ended when I hikes through 2 miles over grown trail. Needless to say I got brutalized by the vegetation.

At one point I had a decision to make whether to hike the 101 or climb over a long embankme by next to large crashing waves. So I took the road less traveled. The embankment was steep, but managed to come through unscathed.

As the clouds loomed over, I wondered where I'd post up for a few days of rain. I happened upon a small temple dedicated to a deceased guru. After some lovely dinner they invited me to stay and gave me a warm bed at a devotees house. Got a spot for a couple days

Today was hard but I'm grateful for the flux of things. Bout to pass out. My gear is all dry now

16 miles

The wet cold north and why I'm skipping down to central Cali

Oct 7

Took the day off yesterday out of the rain and cold to assist an ashram in some clean up around the grounds. They gave me a place to stay for two nights and a few delicious raw vegan meals. I am very grateful to their warmth and hospitality. Truly one of the joys of living this way is the kindness I get to see in people

Walked from Trinidad to Arcata this morning. I get a solid week of sun. I've been reflecting on this hike of the California Coast. I'm still very inspired to do it.

My original intention was to hike toward the end of summer and beat the cold winter. Now it's October, and it's all I can do to stay warm at night. The coast gets particularly cold. In the mornings I wake to a fine frost on my quilt. I'm grateful it's not goose down, otherwise I'd be soaked. The days are spent mostly walking though wet unmaintained trails, which in summer would not be an issue. But this desert boy is cold.

So, I'm skipping over the rest of the Northern California Section, and heading to central Cali. As I am not walking for a particular cause, I feel the freedom to do as I wish. And inspire others however I live my life.

I'm so grateful to be spending a week in Arcata, a place I haven't been in 15 years. Not since I was drinking and using

18 miles