Overnight: California Riding & Hiking Trail

Last Practice Hike

The California Riding and Hiking Trail inside Joshua Tree National Park was my final overnight practice hike before the Pacific Crest Trail. I specifically chose this trail for a few of reasons: Joshua Tree is where I fell in love with desert hiking, this is one of the few places where you can camp overnight in February in southern California, and knowing how much Joshua Tree means to me, I always knew this would be my final adventure before the PCT.

Friends and a Campfire

I so dearly appreciate the simplicity of gathering with dear friends around a campfire. Tents are erected. Food is warming. Drinks are being passed in an irregular circle. Conversation begins on a topic and by bedtime, it has arrived somewhere completely different. Usually, you are out of cellphone range, so distractions are few. Life is slower and, for a moment, you are free to be yourself without conditions and circumstances. You are gathered with friends on a journey you will never forget.

Betrayed by the Map

We hiked the final third of the California Riding and Hiking Trail. We originally intended to hike ten miles on the trail, camp, and then hike back to the car. Sitting around the campfire, we decided to hike to the end of the trail and hitch back to the car. The next…