PCT Start in Mexico - 2001 Apr 02

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The first day covered the beginning of the trail, for symbolic reasons, even though subsequent days skipped Morena and Laguna for the warmer drier regions further north.

No illegals, no rattlesnakes, lots of border patrol agents and military aircraft instead. I never wanted to remove my long underwear.

Apr 1 - lodging in Alpine. The last freeway motel on I-8 is the Ayres Country Inn at the Tavern Road exit - $86. Hot tub and 6:00 am continental breakfast are positive points for hikers. Campo was about an hour's drive east on I-8 and S-1.

Apr 2 - 28 mi - Mexico (0.0-2915) to (14.2-2910) & back.

• 8:15 Campo; 8:45-9:00 border monument; 9:30-9:45 Campo again; 6:20 returned to Campo.

  As I approached the border monument, a group of equestrians was preparing to set off. One was planning a through-ride and brought two horses, but I didn't see her further north. Another asked me if I wanted my picture taken, and then asked if I were a member of the PCTA - I'd recently joined. He was a long-term member and pointed out that most of the trail in southern California was built and MAINTAINED by volunteers. I got the hint and promised to pay my brushing dues in the future.

  I briefly stood in Mexico on a rock breaking the metal border barrier and then I was on my way.

• A2
• A3 1:45-2:15 lunch on a big flat rock by South Boundary Rd below a Spanish-language warning including both the lack of potable water and the danger of drowning.