Elevation: 7200 ft
Trail Miles: 180
We had a nice relaxing stay in Idyllwild. Though we were routed into Idyllwild because the Forest Service said the mountain pass was impassable, we had already planned to come into town. All three of us had boxes to pick up.
Our stay in Idyllwild was supposed to be one night, but we made it two nights so Dave and Jessica could catch up to us. Then we decided to make it three nights so "T-Pot" could catch up to us. Now after three nights, two zero days, and much pizza we are heading back up into the mountains.
On one of our zero days we played horseshoes and volleyball with a few other thru-hikers. As I bounced around fanatically to get the volleyball I rolled my ankle. It hurt a little bit, but I decided to be more careful, since it would be really sad to have to leave the trail due to an injury not sustained on the trail.
We are taking it really slow out of Idyllwild, because a friend I used to work with is planning to meet us at I-10. This is roughly only 26 miles from Idyllwild. So we hiked 6 miles today. Tomorrow we will probably do 12-15, and then sunday we will the remaining miles to I-10 to meet my friend for lunch.
It is rather bizarre getting into camp at noon, after a late start and having so much time to laze about camp. But since I knew this was the case, and we would be stopping somewhere with trashcans, I loaded my pack up with a few beers. They are now being cooled in a snow patch while I sit in the sun and write in my journal. Debi is reading and Jon is randomly gathering wood to have a fire tonight.
With all the extra time, I imagine we will cook a big dinner, and chat around the fire with Dave, Jessica, and maybe "T-Pot." It really seems odd that I have all this time to laze about. I was telling Debi earlier that it feels like we should be moving. Oh well, there is plenty of miles ahead.
May 15th Morning
Elevation: 1360ft
Trail Miles: 209 miles
I am sitting here under I-10 waiting to meet up with a friend. Yesterday was a long day of downhill hiking. We left Black Mountain camp and hiked 2 miles uphill which offered us an amazing view of San Jacinto and the hillside we would be traversing down for the next eight hours. The plan was to drop 5000 ft in elevation over the course of the day.
As we went down the sun beaten hillside we passed from the forested hillside all the way down to giant granite boulders mixed with sparce plant life. However the variety of plants differed greatly as we wound back and forth down the hillside.
Every couple hundred feet of descent one type of flower would dissappear and another would begin to appear. We passed through dense patches of multicolored flowers and vegetation.
Going downhill that long takes a toll on the knees and feet and we were all feeling it after 4-5 hours. So we decided to take a break. Being below treeline we did not have much shade (if any) to rest in, so we lounged in the sun. I rested my left foot which I had already rolled 3 times. After we realized that resting in the heat was too hard, we put our liners, socks, shoes, and gaiters back on.
About 20 minutes further we came across a flowing stream. Begrudgingly and thankfully we took our shoes back off and sat down in the stream. I basked in the sun as tadpoles nibbled on my toes. Debi dunked her hat in the water and splashed the cool running water down her body. Bathed and refreshed and an hour later we punched on down to camp.
As we reached the bottom of the hill, we found a drinking fountain and a stream which would turn on and off. We sat at the stream bed washing our feet, waiting for the nearby town to turn the stream on. About once an hour the stream turned on and it was filled to deeper levels.
Quenched and washed we all sat down and had a potluck. Eight of us gathered around eating and sharing our dinners before we went to bed. Not finding a good spot to put up the tent we all found little nooks and slept under the stars.
Awaking early to the heat this morning I had some oatmeal, cereal, and cold water before wandering down to I-10. As I passed the large granite rocks, I saw many lizards perched atop the rocks tanning their already charred skin. Fully off the hillside we walked a few miles through the sandy desert floor (not easy to hike on sand).
Now Jon (Zing), Debi (Ladyface), Dave (B.S.), Jessica (LOT), and I (Quaker or Psycho) sit under I-10 waiting for Heather a former coworker and friend to show up with fruit beer water and M&Ms.
Happy Trails, Inner Peace, & Harmony
"Pepperman," Jess, Dave, Debi, Jon, "Jumpback," and much Beer and Pizza
"Rabbit" and I playing horseshoes
A Little Volleyball
Back to the Trail
"Are We Lost?"
"It looks awfully hot down there..."
"...and awfully cold up there."
Coolin' off in the only stream
I cool off
Even "Buddy" needs hiking boots
The Underpass Cats
"Nabor J" and "Chowder" modeling the latest desert wear