Miles 110-152 Days 9-13

Start: 110 End: 127 Total: 17

Nick and I had a slice of pie for breakfast before heading out on our sunrise hike. We started through a meadow where many cows blocked our path. I was a bit afraid of the cows but Nick bravely ushered them out of our way. We strolled along the meadow and on flat terrain for about an hour before Nick turned back. It was sad to see him go but the plan was for me to crush 20 miles a day and be in Idyllwild Sunday afternoon and we would spend his days off together.

My knee was still giving me a lot of trouble and I started to doubt that plan a bit as the day went on. I filled up my water at mile 6 and there was to be a small stream at mile 14 and another reliable water tank at 17.

The trail gradually went up and up after that stream and I was feeling a bit sad at Nick leaving and my knee hurting so bad. I put on my Audiobook and kept trekking upwards. Taking more breaks than usual because my dang knee was hurting so bad. There was a patch of snow in one corner and I sat defeated next to it and put some of it on my knee.

I was starting to think of alternates at this point. Paradise valley cafe is at mile 155 and you can get into Idyllwild that way. That would save me the 6 mile super steep side trail further along, would allow me to spend more time with Nick and would allow me not to rush as much. I thought this would be a good plan as there is a super sketchy part before Idyllwild that they recommend having an ice axe for. I wouldn’t really want to be rushing on that section.

I pushed on, hoping to get to the small stream for lunch. It was reported to have water just a couple days ago. I rounded a corner and started descending into a hot canyon, slowly beginning to doubt the water source would still be there. I had finished my 2 liters in my pack but still had one liter that I would drink sparingly until I confirmed there was water. To my dismay, at the alleged site of the water, there was nothing but a dry stream bed. I nonetheless took a quick break In the shade, eating lunch and looking at my maps before heading out on another 3 mile journey to get to a water tank.

I kept going onward, drinking sparingly from my one liter that remained. Close to the junction where you head off trail to go to “mikes place” a water tank and a house that sometimes is the home of a trail angel, I passed another hiker “spark” talking on the phone.

I made the turn off and walked down a dirt road and saw a giant water tank which was a wonderful sight to see. I relaxed in the shade and chatted with Spark when she arrived. She is from the Czech Republic and has been carrying her ice axe since the border. She hopes on summiting San Jacinto with Rocky. I started to scheme up, maybe getting an ice axe in Idyllwild , being extra prepared for said sketchy section and maybe doing a side adventure of summiting Mt. San Jacinto which isn’t directly on the trail.

We went and checked out the house which seems rather abaonded but like it would be the place to be during peak hiker season and if Mike were currently there. Rocky eventually showed up and they were going to push on. I, having changed my plans from doing 20 mile days to having Nick pick me up earlier at the paradise valley cafe had no reason of doing any more mileage that day, so I made that my home for the night. Rocky also decided to sleep there and a bit later on another hiker, jolly rancher, rolled in.

We had dinner and slept on the road besides the water tank as we thought sleeping by the house might be a bit creepy in the dark.

Day 10

Start 127 End 144 Total 17

I was thankful for my change of plans and being able to wake up in the morning, then since I wasn’t in any rush to crush miles, go right back to bed. I had a slow and relaxed morning chatting with Rocky. Our paces aligned and without effort on our parts, we packed up and left at the same time. We hiked and chatted for the first few miles, getting over a summit and seeing San Jacinto in the background. she took a break and I kept going. It was a beautiful morning and I was excited about my new trail friend and the prospect of maybe summiting San Jacinto.

Headed towards that snowy peak back there!

I would have Nick pick me up around mile 152, we would spend a couple days together and I would get an ice axe before returning to trail. I would have it for the sketchy part around mile 170 and then again for the side trail to San Jacinto, just to be safe! After I will ship it forwards so I have it for the sierras, around mile 700.

I did 10 miles before lunch. Spark, jolly and Narwalter were all there. Narwalter had come huffing and puffing into camp last night around 8 pm and hiked onto where spark had told him she would be. Narwalter is an older, heavier hiker with COPD, that he attributes to the tar fields of Iraq. He also has sleep apnea and carries his CPAP machine. He is a slower hiker but will always get to where he wants to go, even if it’s not until midnight. He attributes this to being a recovering night shift worker. He’s hiking to get his health back and his 11 year old son will come join him in the summer.

I enjoyed a long lunch and water break before heading out back on trail. It was a blistering hot afternoon and I took about one break per hour of hiking. I listened to some podcasts and trudged on. Jolly and sparks were ahead, Rocky was ahead for the most part until the last part of the day when I passed her. NorWalter was far behind and I bet it would take him again until midnight but he would do the 12 miles to where spark and jolly were camping.

I took my last break around 4 pm near the top of what I hoped to be the final pass. 2 more miles to go until the spot I decided I would camp. Rocky caught up and said she was aiming for that spot as well. I tried to go the last 2 miles without music or podcast or anything but gave up after a mile and listened to some music. My knee had been feeling a lot better all day but that pain was replaced by aching feet and the backs of my heels killing me. I was so ready to be at camp.

Day 11

Start 144 End 152 Total 8

I had a rough night of sleeping due to some nightmares but awoke around 7. I was excited for another meet up with Nick so I hurriedly packed up and left camp.

I cruised through those miles and was at the road in no time. I walked down to the Paradise Valley Cafe that was a mile down the road and met Nick there.

We had breakfast and halfway through Rocky joined us. It was Nicks weekend until Tuesday, so we decided we would go to the coast for a little vacation. We spent Sat-Mon at various spots between La Jolla and Oceanside, soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean!