PCT Section A: Backcountry to Warner Springs (miles 0 to 109.5)

Note: I am taking the PCT while working full time remotely. I work Monday through Thursday from my RV, run Monday through Thursday nights, and hike Friday through Sunday before returning to base camp. It’s a balance between miles of trails, logistics and recovery; Learn more about how it works here: https://thetrek.co/pacific-crest-trail/my-plan-to-hike-the-pct.

I started the Pacific Crest Trail the same way I had spent most weekdays before: working. The difference was that at the end of the day, I would be standing at the south end of Campo, facing north, 2,650 miles of trail.

Seeing the border wall stretched across the desert made it feel real in a way that planning never could. Within minutes of arriving, they checked my permit and a trail angel gave me a phone number «just in case.» Then I started walking.

Section Snapshot

• Miles: 0.0 → 109.5
• Start / End: Field → Warner Springs
• Tracking time: 11 days (including zeros)
• Conditions: Hot days, cold nights, strong wind, exposed terrain.
• Terrain: desert hills → ascent to Mount Laguna → exposed ridges → rolling grasslands
• Pace: Highly variable due to learning curve and logistics.
• RV Campgrounds: Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs; Culp Valley Primitive Campground

Mileage

• Thursday, March 5, 2026 — Mile 0.0 to 8.8
• Friday, March 6, 2026 — Mile 8.8 at 26.0
• Saturday March 7, 2026 — Mile 26.0 to 41.5
• Sunday, March 8, 2026 — Mile 41.5 to 59.5
• Monday to Wednesday, March 9 and 11, 2026: 0 miles
• Thursday March 12, 2026: Mile 59.5 to 61.5
• Friday, March 13, 2026 — Mile 61.5 to 79.4
• Saturday March 14, 2026 — Mile 79.4 to 94.4
• Sunday March 15, 2026: Mile 94.4 to 109.5

What defined section A

Section A was less about physical difficulty and more about adaptation.

Everything was new at once: my backpack, my sleep system, my pace, my nutrition and my expectations. The terrain was deceptively manageable, rolling desert hills with gradual climbs, but the exposure, wind and lack of shade amplified everything.

The biggest surprise was how quickly small problems turned into big ones. A slightly ill-fitting backpack, poorly sized shoes, or a misunderstanding of the equipment could ruin my day. This section was not about demonstrating my strength, but rather identifying my weaknesses early.

Getting started: learning in real time

Ten minutes after leaving Campo, my pack felt sick. My back started hurting almost immediately and I spent the rest of the first day constantly adjusting the straps, trying to figure out what was wrong.

That pattern would continue for days. There was still nothing “established”, everything had to be learned through discomfort.

That first night in Hauser Canyon was the first time I slept in a tent. Between the cold temperatures, condensation, and lack of understanding of how to use my quilt properly, sleep was inconsistent at best. I spent almost twelve hours in the store and probably slept for 4 hours of them.

It wasn’t comfortable, but it worked. That became a theme throughout this section.

Initial challenges: team, weather and pace

By the second day, condensation had soaked my tent, sand was sticking to everything, and packing became a frustrating process. Simple tasks took longer than expected.

At Lake Morena, I was able to restart, dry out the gear, and recover a bit. That stop made it clear how important even small breaks are early on.

Later that day, I made a key decision.

At first, I planned to increase the mileage aggressively. But after doing the math, I realized it wasn’t necessary. Even at 60 to 70 miles per week, I would still reach Kennedy Meadows sooner than ideal.

That changed my mindset from maximizing miles to managing sustainability.

That decision likely prevented major problems later.

Monte Laguna: first real test

The climb up Mount Laguna was the first stretch that seemed legitimately difficult. The strong winds, constant elevation gain, and accumulated fatigue began to pile up.

About 13 miles into that day, nausea hit me hard. I ended up vomiting several times and immediately thought of a previous experience at the Grand Canyon that had turned into a serious situation.

For a few minutes I thought it might happen again.

But after resting, the symptoms disappeared. The cooler temperatures probably helped. This time the difference was recognizing the situation in time and not moving ahead blindly.

That night, instead of continuing, I made a different decision, pulled off the road and recovered in my RV.

That was the first clear moment where I chose long-term progress over short-term mileage.

Scissors crossing: troubleshooting

By the time I arrived at Scissors Crossing, two important issues had become clear.

First, my shoes were too small. After days of sore and bruised toes, I stopped at a local store in Julian (Two Foot Adventures) and switched to a pair in the right size. The difference was immediate, the pain almost completely disappeared.

Secondly, my backpack configuration was incorrect. A passing hiker walked me through the proper adjustments, tightening the right areas and loosening others. Within minutes, my shoulder pain was gone.

Both problems had been accumulating since day one and both had a solution.

That was a turning point.

Trail Community: Unexpected Impact

One of the biggest surprises in this section was how quickly connections form.

I met hikers from different countries, from different backgrounds, all sharing the same temporary routine. Some helped maintain water reserves. Others shared equipment tips or small efficiencies that made a big difference.

At one point, I gave water to two hikers who had run out near Scissors Crossing. Later, I found myself learning the same thing from others.

The dynamic is simple but powerful: everyone is discovering it and everyone contributes in some way.

Final Miles: Finding Your Pace

The last stretch to Warner Springs felt different.

The terrain smoothed out into hills and open meadows. My main problems, backpack pain and toe pain, were resolved. I understood my team better, my pace was more controlled, and decisions seemed more deliberate.

There were still minor issues – ankle irritation, sore feet, wind – but they were manageable.

That’s the real change that happens in this section.

Problems are not eliminated, you learn to face them.

• Backpack fit problems
  • It caused recurrent shoulder and back pain.
  • Secured by proper strap adjustments.
  • Lesson: Small Adjustments Matter More Than Strength
• Foot pain due to poor shoe fit
  • Bruises on toenails from shoes that are too small
  • Resolved immediately after resizing.
  • Lesson: Size errors compound quickly over miles
• Sleep system learning curve
  • Cold nights, condensation, poor duvet placement
  • Improved through technique and experience.
  • Lesson: Team knowledge matters as much as the team itself
• Accelerate too early
  • The initial mindset was to maximize mileage
  • Adjusted after realizing schedule flexibility
  • Lesson: Pace must align with long-term strategy

• Water reality: Water sources may be inconsistent from the start. Caches play an important role and the hikers who maintain them are essential.
• Climate exposure: The wind was a constant factor, especially on the ridges. Gusts over 40 mph made even moderate climbs difficult.
• Trail conditions: Mostly well defined, but sections included loose rock, erosion, and uneven soil. Attention is required, especially when moving faster.
• Hybrid Configuration (RV + Trail): Using an RV as a base allowed for recovery, equipment reset, and flexibility. It also introduced challenges such as energy management and coordination with trail access points.

Section A wasn’t about miles, it was about calibration.

By the time I got to Warner Springs, I hadn’t perfected anything, but I had fixed the biggest problems. My team made sense, my pace was realistic, and I had a better understanding of how to respond when things went wrong.

That mattered more than how fast I moved.

The path does not reward overcoming everything. It rewards learning quickly and adapting before small problems become bigger problems.

Looking ahead, the goal is not to walk more.

It’s about continuing to make better decisions.