June 17
Bear trap camp - Los Padres National forest/Sespe Wilderness
4.8 miles
I wish there were more places to backpack closer to home where I could have Reecy. I got up pretty early and started packing up. It's getting much easier to get everything organized and ready to go. I'm feeling more confident every time. Most times I don't worry about forgetting too much and can normally work with what I have if I do.
When packing for Reecy I make sure to have her food for the days we are out and an extra meal for once we get back to the car. I normally stop somewhere on the way home to get food for me and like to have something for her too.
We loaded up and left the house around 9:30. Had to stop to get gas and I didn't want to be hiking in the heat of the day so we took the coast! It was beautiful. Around 11 we stopped in Huntington Beach. There was a large grassy spot and I was able to park on the street. Reecy rolled in the grass and I sat and watched the people running, cycling, and gathering on the beach. It was very relaxing and felt great with the breeze. I almost debated staying there or looking up a place to camp close to the beach and not backpacking. The weather was perfect and I was dreading the heat and traffic. I decided we would continue on. We got to the camp ground about 3:30. There was some nasty traffic and a truck almost went off a cliff. It looked like a scene from a movie. It was still very hot and knew we would have a lot of time just to sit around at camp of we left right away. We sat in the back of the car with all the windows down and it was a nice breeze. I debated just staying at the camp ground for a while too. I am not sure why today was so hard to get out of my funk but I really wasn’t feeling it.
About 4:30 we started to get ready and we were on the trail pretty quick.
It was hot. The gnats/flies or whatever were SO annoying and I wasn't enjoying it. This is a first and I'm not really sure why. I debated turning around here too. Once we climbed a bit the views started to be what I hike for and I started to enjoy it more. After about an hour and half, we made it to upper Reyes camp. In the beginning I thought we may stay here but it was right on the trail and looked like there was only one spot. I continued on. We climbed and went down, and climbed and went down again into the camp. Once I got close to the stream I saw a tent. I was a little surprised because I hadn't seen anyone yet. There was one car at the trailhead so I figured someone might be around. I said “Hi” and Reecy went up and checked them out. They all said hello to me and wanted to pet Reecy. They looked like a father with his 2 adult sons. We talked briefly. They told me I was the ONLY person they had seen in 2 days (creepy) and I went to explore and find my own spot.
I found an area that had a few more sites and picked what looked to be the flattest one. Got set up and started dinner. I had Ramon noodles! It's been forever since I've had them. It is super easy to make in the Jetboil and there is no cleanup which is awesome as well! Reecy had more energy than normal because of such a short hike and easy climbing. I'm hoping she doesn't have issues going to sleep. I got cleaned up and decided to get some sleep so I could get an early start the next morning. Before I could even get in my sleeping bag Reecy was snoring in hers so I think the woods does her good as well.
June 18
4.8 Miles / 9.6 Miles total
We got up pretty early and opened the tent to let Reecy out to pee without the leash. She went to the bathroom and normally comes back in to lie back down but she decided to go exploring a bit instead. I had to tie her up for her to eat breakfast and so I could pack up camp. Once I was ready to go she was off leash again. It was a good morning! We started up the switchbacks out of camp and as soon as I was getting into a grove she stops to poop. Thankfully I have poop bags very convenient however it would have been much easier to put all of her poop in the hole I dug earlier today. I am not sure if I am feeding her too much or why she always poops so much when we are hiking. I double bagged it up and tied it to the outside of my bag and continued on. At the top of the switchbacks is a nice place where you could totally camp and if I was to go back this is where I would stay. I am sure it would make for much better sunsets and sunrises. Reecy typically stays right behind me and I do not worry much. I typically scare off the squirrels, bunnies, and birds before she can get to them but I didn’t notice a little coyote up ahead before she could and she chased it up a large hill before I even realized what was going on. I yelled her name and she didn’t budge and then yelled NO and she stopped and came back. I do not know if it was because she was tired or listening to me. This was likely the scariest moment I have had while hiking with her. We sat for a minute as I had to calm down and she went on the leash again. One reason I prefer to be off leash is because it is difficult to use trekking poles and hold her. If I was to tie her to me and she was to take off she would likely pull me down with her. I haven’t really figured out the best solution for all of this. We were to the car by 10am and it was already HOT. Got out of there pretty quickly and started driving back. I think the drive time was more than the hiking time. It was a nice trail though and I would like to do it point to point or even a longer weekend trip when it is not so hot and there is actually running water.
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We got up pretty early and opened the tent to let Reecy out to pee without the leash. She went to the bathroom and normally comes back in to lie back down but she decided to go exploring a bit instead. I had to tie her up for her to eat breakfast and so I could pack up camp. Once I was ready to go she was off leash again. It was a good morning! We started up the switchbacks out of camp and as soon as I was getting into a grove she stops to poop. Thankfully I have poop bags very convenient however it would have been much easier to put all of her poop in the hole I dug earlier today. I am not sure if I am feeding her too much or why she always poops so much when we are hiking. I double bagged it up and tied it to the outside of my bag and continued on. At the top of the switchbacks is a nice place where you could totally camp and if I was to go back this is where I would stay. I am sure it would make for much better sunsets and sunrises. Reecy typically stays right behind me and I do not worry much. I typically scare off the squirrels, bunnies, and birds before she can get to them but I didn’t notice a little coyote up ahead before she could and she chased it up a large hill before I even realized what was going on. I yelled her name and she didn’t budge and then yelled NO and she stopped and came back. I do not know if it was because she was tired or listening to me. This was likely the scariest moment I have had while hiking with her. We sat for a minute as I had to calm down and she went on the leash again. One reason I prefer to be off leash is because it is difficult to use trekking poles and hold her. If I was to tie her to me and she was to take off she would likely pull me down with her. I haven’t really figured out the best solution for all of this. We were to the car by 10am and it was already HOT. Got out of there pretty quickly and started driving back. I think the drive time was more than the hiking time. It was a nice trail though and I would like to do it point to point or even a longer weekend trip when it is not so hot and there is actually running water.
