April 16,

After a chilly night we set out for the last 4 miles to Mount Laguna. We joined the large line of hikers sitting out on the porch munching food and waiting for the post office to open. We restocked, made phone calls, hung out for a little and then got moving to escape the vortex that is town.

We spent the morning walking through cool pine forests. Then just as suddenly we were back in the dessert. And by lunch we were back among pines. Late afternoon we stopped for water at Pioneer Mail picnic area where the rest of the budding trail family caught up.

We camped at Oriflamme Canyon on an outcropping with a beautiful sunset view. Kawecki and I cowboy camped in an awesome nook between two rocks. After a few others had set up they joined us for whiskey and the beginnings of life stories. As the last sunlight disappeared they headed back to their own tents and we turned in as well.

Cowboy camping for the win.