PCT Section A, Part I

From the Mexican border to Boulder Oaks Campground
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Elevation changes: 3038 feet
Distance: 26 miles 
Pets Allowed: Yes
Fees: None
Normal Ride Time: 10-20 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous to extreem
Best Seasons: cooler months, spring and fall
Ranger District: Descanso Ranger District 619-445-6235
Land Ownership: Mostly public National Forest land but some private and some state owned land.
Trail Description:
  • The fist 12 miles of the trail is rolling hills.
  • Then you drop down into Hauser Canyon. Many people camp in Hauser Canyon. The hike out of Hauser Canyon is considered one of the hardest parts of the trail. Don't hike out between 2-4pm, as this is usually too hot and there is no shade.
  • From the bottom of Hauser Canyon to Lake Morena is about 5 miles. Lake Morena is a state park and under different jurisdiction than federal land.
  • Boulder Oaks Campground is 6 miles further on
Directions to the Trailhead:
  • Head south off of California Highway 94 on Forest Gate Rd. at Campo (town).
  • Pass the Boarder Patrol Station, the Juvenile Ranch Facility and then turn south onto the dirt road that passes under the power lines. 
  • Continue up hill to another dirt road that parallels the steal boarder wall. There is parking northwest of the PCT Southern Boarder Monument.
  • Its a good idea to notify boarder patrol of your parking spot and intended route.
USEFUL RESOURCES:
  • Forest Service site for Cleveland National Forest PCT Information
  • The PCT Association Website section on the southern section of the PCT
    • https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/geography/southern-california/
  • Mexico border North to Lake Morena
    • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=47566
  • Boulder Oaks Campground
    • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recarea/?recid=47412
    • http://www.californiasbestcamping.com/anza_borrego/boulder_oaks.html
    • https://www.hipcamp.com/california/cleveland/boulder-oaks-campground
  • Boulder Oaks Campground reservations (necessary for horse sites)https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231948
  • Houser Canyon resourses
    • https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/hauser-canyon-trail
    • https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2007/jan/18/remote-hauser-canyon-between-lake-morena-and-campo/#
  • Cottonwood Creek Bridge Trail from Lake Morena
    • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=47568
  • Kitchen Creek Southbound to Kitchen Creek falls
    • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=47570
  • Fred Canyon to Kitchen Creek
    • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=47490
  • Storm Canyon to Kwaaymii 
    • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=47490
Click here to see my YouTube page of videos on how this trip is going every step of the way, including my preparations at home and my days on the trail.
Want to know more about who is on this trip? Me, my dog, my horses and any friends who happen to join me along the way...