Day 2
May 22, 2000

Amy and Scott Face Uncertainty Near Peak 4737: Lake Morena to Horse Meadow

Lake Tahoe. (just seeing if
you're paying attention)

Scott guzzles some
Lake Morenafina.

"Are you going to help set up
camp, or take pictures?" asks
Scott. (I think I'll just take
pictures, thanks.)

The next day dawned just as hot as the first. At 9 a.m., it was already above 90 degrees. Once we crossed under Interstate 8, the trail immediately ascended into the Laguna Mountains and we switchbacked up hot brushy Fred Canyon. Again, little shade was to be found.

We walked beneath our Mylar umbrellas, which helped keep the sun from beating down on us, but the heat eventually wore us out. Finally, when we were at the end of our energy reserves, standing on the steep edge of a canyon, gazing back toward the border, debating whether to retrace our steps at least a mile to return to the only patch of shade for miles, or take a chance on what might lie ahead, clouds began to blow in along with a refreshing breeze and we were able to continue.

We reached Fred Canyon Creek, which was dry but there were large trees, which provided a lot of shade and we ate and napped until the day cooled off and then continued on. At last, we reached a fairly forested area at 5000 feet and made camp on an abandoned jeep road leading to Horse Canyon. Just before stopping that night, we saw two baby rattlesnakes lying in the warm trail and carefully moved them aside.

Back Outta here Next