Idyllwild and Precious Pines

So far so good. The trail is living up to the hype. Freezing temperatures and scorching heat have made it uncomfortable at times. Winds have up-staked my tent a few times, crushing any hope of a full nights rest, and the fitigue is endless.

The first section was a good warm up. The desert offers all kinds of wildlife to interest you. Every manner of beetle, spider and ant try to infiltrate your tent and or attack your food. There are snakes of various size and color, which scare me the most. I've yet to see a rattlesnake, but I'm sure, in time, my worst nightmare will come true. There are plenty more desert miles to trek. The others are not so bad. Small lizards and horny toads quickly leave the trail as you approach. Fortunately, just when I had about had my fill of the creepy crawlies, I came across two small deer as i refilled with water at a small creek. They were gone out of site before I had a chance to retrieve my camera, but it was quite a boost in moral.

The last two days have been spent gaining altitude. Across the Pines to Palms highway, you immediately understand the name as you switchback in and out of tall ponderosa pines. Now I feel like I'm hiking. I peeked out at about 8400 ft on Apache Peek. I gained 3000 feet in just a few miles at one point. Then its all down hill to Saddle Junction and Devils Slide trail into Idyll wild. The problem was that it is all down hill over north facing slopes, which still had considerable snow in places. After having a slip and sliding for about fifteen, twenty feet or so, I decided to put away the trekking poles and go for the ice ax. From that point getting around was cake. If you loose a footing, the ax cuts deep into the snow and control is regained. The trouble now was where to go. There was no trail to follow, and few people were ahead of me and their tracks soon became untraceable. Keeping my heart rate in check by speaking inaudible self-praises of my navigational skill, I break out the map. Having a good idea of where I was and where I needed to go, I set out traversing the north slope I was on to the west. After not coming across any other footprints for a while, I headed up hill. I knew if I got to the ridge I could follow it to the saddle, where there would be another trail leading down toward Idyllwild. As I approached the ridge there were some crampon tracks, which merged with more tracks until I was safely to the saddle. Puffed with confidence of my navigational success my thoughts turned to food.

Town means food, good food. No roman noodles or macaroni or peanut butter on tortias, you can have a real meal. Idyllwild is very camper friendly. The state park offers $3 a night camping to those that hike in and many of the businesses give a PCT discount. At the state park I met some other hikers. There's Eric who is hiking the trail his 7th time in six years. That's because he did a yoyo a couple years ago which is down and back in one season. He's one of only two people to have accomplished it. He's quite the hiking legend. Its partly because of the yoyo and partly because he has been around for so long and has yet to adopt a trail name. He said that that is probably a greater accomplishment than the yoyo. I also met Sam and Stick (a trail name for having an nine foot walking stick) at the campground. Stick moved on this morning. I hope to see him in the next couple of days. Sam is heading off the trail. He said he got what he wanted out of his two weeks of hiking and is now headed to Europe. He's a nice guy. We had breakfast this morning (omelets) and found we had pretty similar trail experience so far. I wish him luck off the trail.

The people along the trail are amazing. My pack distinguishes me from the day hiker and they always ask how far, how long, and where I come from. People I've met for the first time want to take my picture and hear about my family and friends. Its very interesting and very delightful. A couple took my picture and offered to send it to my parents. Others have said how this is a dream of theirs and they admire me for doing it. I'm not sure how I feel about all that but it sure is nice to chit chat after not seeing anyone for a day or two.

I'll hike on for a couple more days, but I'm trying to meet Chris, who now goes by Fox Sparrow, around I-10 to go down to the PCT kick-off weekend in lake morena. I didn't have an interest in going but so many hikers have talked it up, I think I'll go check it out. If anyone wants to come out to lake morena for the weekend I'll keep my phone on. I'll try to post another blog from there. Oh, and a special thanks to Kristin Wightman for posting that last blog. I snail mailed her a letter and she has agreed to do that from time to time for me. And thanks to everyone in SD that sent a letter to me here in Idyllwild. It was a lot of fun to hear from you. My next stop will be Big Bear but that won't be until after the kick off.

I hope this post finds everyone happy and healthy. I love and miss you all.