The trail does not provide reliable wifi most of the time and the data necessary to post (even assuming I had a signal, which is usually not the case) is beyond this hiker’s budget.  With 4000 + hikers on the trail this year in towns overwhelming the wifi that is briefly available, it takes hours to upload simply one post, if it uploads at all.  Most brief town stops, I just don’t have the time to simply sit at one place to download multiple entries.  

Suffice it to say, while I am still on the trail and hiking through the Sierra Nevada, the blog is far behind.  The posts are written and will upload when I can and the media connection is steady.  Thanks all for following….

May 2, 2016:  Jameson and I got up early to wet tents that needed drying from the condensation the night before.  We hung out our tents in the sunlight and ate breakfast while Oden and Freya slept in.  The Nordic couple were still night up when we hit the trail.  I was limping behind a few miles while Jameson sped ahead.  We took the Mt. San Jacinto peak alternate trail and I quickly gained a deep appreciation for how well the PCT was both marked and maintained. 

The San Jacinto alternate trail was beautiful, but a laborious climb up a jagged and rocky, often poorly marked trail.  We hit expected icy patches, during which I was more than happy to have my microspikes.  I fell farther behind during the climb, but cannot say I was unhappy to have a bit of wild alone time.  That said, the rocky trail was killing my already tender left foot (the top of the foot near the ankle swollen and painful to the touch).  Every sideways jarring of the foot by another unstable rock making me swear in sharp pain – sometimes loudly.

Near the peak the landscape turned to a winter wonderland of icy fir trees, but rounding the corner to the actual summit, little deep snow still remained. 

I stayed at the summit of 10,821ft only briefly for the view before heading back down before nightfall.  Breathing the cold, oxygen-thin air was becoming a chore but the view worth it.

Coming down the north side was much more treacherous- much of the trail was snow covered and footprint paths were leading way off the trail.  I was not the only hiker to be led astray, pulling out my GPS for the first time to find my way back to the trail, post holing up a ravine through deep soft snow. 

It was noticeable when the alternate intersected the PCT.  There was a trail again to follow!  By the time I made it off the alternate the sun was setting.  I kept going down the mountain intending to catch up to Jameson camping at a spot just before Fuller Ridge.  But, as the sun set, a perfect single tent spot tucked into three boulders shielding the cold wind called to me.  I set up camp and slept, with a little help from vitamin I (ibuprofen) as my feet were killing me.  The right foot joining the left in pain on the top outer side near the ankle was depressing.  I began to have thoughts of the hiker- dreaded, hike-ending injury – stress fracture.  But I was determined to think of that tomorrow.

Miles: 8.78

Elevation gain/loss:  2009/-2113

May 1, 2016: Rested, but still wrapping up our injuries, Jameson and I went to get a final cup of coffee with our PCT hiker discount.  It was a beautiful morning and saying goodbye to Idyllwild was hard to do.  After one final picture in front of the Idyllwild town center, we got a ride up to Humber Park and the Devil’s Slide Trail that would take us back to the PCT running through the San Jacinto Mountains in the San Bernardino National Forest in the late afternoon.

The beautiful morning quickly clouded over and Jameson and I found ourselves putting our pack covers on as rain, then hail, then sleet, then snow followed us up the steep series of switchbacks taking us up Devil’s Slide.   About half way up, Oden and Freya joined us and we made our way up, planning to camp just after Saddle Junction at the first campsite and take the San Jacinto peak alternate the next morning.  It was getting truly very cold, and the snow was really picking up at thunder could be heard.  We made it up the Devil’s Slide and to Saddle Junction in the early evening.  The storm began to pass, leaving no trace of the snow in its wake and clear , clear sky giving us a view of forested Idyllwild on the one side and desert Palm Springs and the Salton Sea on the other.  What an amazing contrast. 

We had planned to go to a campsite desginated on the Halfmile App we all used to navigate (and knowing that once we entered San Jacinto State Park there was only one allowed campground).  But we found an amazing campsite with a view right before.  Anticipating that we could not find a lovelier spot, we all settled in, Jameson and I pitching our tents and Oden and Freya planning to cowboy camp under the stars despite the cold.  Jameson built a lovely campfire and we all sat around enjoying the much needed warmth and the good company.  It was a great evening after a quick but difficult climb.  It was good to be back on the PCT!

Miles: 2.74

Elevation gain/loss: 1715/-52 ft.

April 29 & 30, 2016: Pine left the morning of the 30th — having completed his section hike, his mom picked him up, poodle in tow, to drive him back home.  Norbert stayed another night , but planned to and did leave the trail for a visit with family in L.A. bfor picking up the trail again in a few weeks.  I rebuilt my pack, putting the pockets, hipbelt and shock cord from the old onto the new and then went shopping for a resupply.  I was still hobbling around – my foot in no shape to begin the ascent up the Devil’s Slide Trail back to the PCT. 

Had to find a new room for the next night and Greg helped tremendously by introducing me to the proprietor of his cabin (the proud owner of the bulldog pictured below) who arranged lodging for me at another cabin that I shared with Jameson.  Homeless hikers taking care of homeless hikers.  Lodging secured in this busy little town, I set off to mail back my old pack, and another trail angel was handing out cookies to us hikers.  Met another hiker raising money for homeless pets and finding a home for a beautiful dog left stranded by his owner.  Luckily, she had a lot of interest from the locals for this sweet big dog.

The night was filled with live music at the wine bar in town and meeting so many hikers and getting our pictures taken at the local pizza place.  Jameson had been in town for a week, and we joked that he was about to buy realestate there.  Convinced him that it really was time to try to hike out , my foot and his ankle notwithstanding — the vortex was truly sucking us all in.

Said goodbye to Norbert the next morning, some last minute resupply and spent a restful evening watching Hunger Games with Jameson until the power went out.  No problem — we are hikers with headlamps!  Went to bed early and prepared for the climb out of town the next day – up the highest mountain in Southern California – San Jacinto.