Idyllwild to Whitewater

I hit the mountains again up in Idyllwild. I spent the afternoon checking out the town and slept in a local campground. The next morning I got some breakfast with another hiker then left for the trail. The first day a hiked to the summit of San Jacinto then down the other side and slept on fuller ridge. I woke up to rain so I packed up and headed down the mountain. After rain, wind, rattlesnakes, and 22 miles with no rest breaks I arrived at the trail angel house of Ziggy and the Bear. 2 PCT alumni greeted me and gave me the run down of how things work, thank you Cool Ranch and Cappytan, and I got a shower and some Burger King. Had a great time visiting and Ziggy and the Bear are wonderful people. This morning I was treated to cereal, coffee, and fruit before I headed out for the last 9 miles to whitewater. I got picked up by Cool Ranch and Cappytan who drove me home on their way to New Mexico. All and all a great trip. Next it's the Mexican border with a hike back to Idyllwild.

Change of plans, I am now hiking the PCT!!

Well, after careful thought I am now hiking the PCT. I spoke with a fellow hiker who attended the kickoff weekend last year and hiked north with the herd of hikers. He has had problems with alcohol and drug abuse in the past and warned me that there can be a party atmosphere with some of the hikers. I have no interest in turning this journey into a a relapse so for the sake of my sobriety I decided to start hiking north from whitewater. . I will then hike from  Idyllwild to whitewater. Then from the Mexican border to Idyllwild. I still have commitments in Yucca Valley so I can only hike 5 days a week. By getting these sections out of the way before I m able to hike full time on April 23, I will be able to stay a few hundred miles ahead of the herd of hikers. Hope no one is confused! I'm hiking the whole PCT, just a little out of order. So, here's a video of section C! Enjoy.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=721158834581763

&l=1690325048322205939

Had another amazing hike. I had a close encounter with a Bobcat, ran into some deer, and found the titanium cup I was looking for that a previous hiker left behind. I plan on sending him his cup as soon as I can. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

 If you look close you can see the bobcat in the middle of the frame.

 The deer on the hillside.

I hiked about 12 miles today. I came across this out in Joshua Tree. Very Interesting.

Had an amazing PCT warm up hike. I started at the Whitewater Conservatory. Ran into an old friend from high school who is now a ranger there. It was nice to see her. At the start of the hike Whitewater itself was actually running underground because of some debris from a flash flood.  I ended up hiking 14 miles the first day, 14 miles the second day, and 28 miles back to the truck on the third day.

Mission Creek

                           

San Gorgonio

 PCT signs along the route, the footsteps are Chris Foley's, a PCT thru hiker. Without his trail blazing I would of had to turn back. You can follow him on his journey @
http://15millionsteps.com/

 View of the 10 freeway and Coachella Valley

 About where I hit snow

 San Jacinto

 Sunset after hiking 28 miles

 View from 2nd night campsite-Palm springs    Evening/Night/Sunrise

 Whitewater Conservatory- Emerson is one of my favorite writers

Gear List for PCT warm up hike

I will be hiking from the Whitewater conservatory towards Big Bear for the next 4 days. Hear is a list of the gear I will take.

ULA Circuit Backpack                                                                                                       38 oz.
Trash Compacter Bag Pack Liner                                                                                        2.3
Enlightened Equipment 20 degree quilt                                                                             21.7
Six Moon Designs Wild Oasis + Stakes                                                                             23.3
Therma Rest Neoair                                                                                                           18.4
Gossamer Gear Polycryo groundcloth                                                                                 1.5
Gossamer Gear Thinlight pad                                                                                               2.5
Jetboil Cook system + fuel                                                                                                 16.7
AntiGravity Gear bowl + Cozy + Spoon                                                                              3.1
Aqua Mira Water Purification                                                                                              2.9
Platypus 2 Liter water container x 2                                                                                    2.8
SmartWater water bottle 1 Liter                                                                                          1.3
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp                                                                                         4
Repair Kit                                                                                                                             1.4
First Aid Kit                                                                                                                          4
Lighter with Leukotape wrapped around                                                                             0.6
Composition Book + pen                                                                                                      1.3
Hygene Bag                                                                                                                           5.5
Hand Sanitizer + baby wipes                                                                                                 4.6
Golite down jacket                                                                                                               16
Base layer bottoms                                                                                                                 6.5
Marmot wind jacket                                                                                                                4.8
Golite fleece beanie                                                                                                                 1
fleece gloves                                                                                                                            2
Wool sleeping socks                                                                                                                2.2
Wrightsocks coolmesh spare hiking socks                                                                              1
pack towel                                                                                                                                0.6
back up batteries                                                                                                                      3.9
Sea to Summit 13 Liter food bag                                                                                             1

Total   194.9 oz. or 12.2 lbs.