Days 5-9: Scissors Crossing to Idyllwild

Day 5

24 miles or so

From the Camping at kilometer 85.5, elevation 3318

To Warner Springs Community Center at mile marker 109.5, elevation 3040

Promotion 3012 Relegation 3310

Campsite: Trailside south of HWY 79 with 7 or 8 other tent campers

They met: Abbey from Australia and Sonya from Slovenia, No Plans, from Switzerland? and several others.

Let’s talk about trail names first. They are nicknames that their peers bestow, or at least should bestow, on hikers. As you can imagine, No Plans doesn’t really plan much, but it manages well. Trail names often reflect a characteristic of the person. They can be rejected, or perhaps should be rejected in the case of a “skid mark.”

The trail from Scissors Crossing was very winding with many in and out of canyons and steep drop-offs. I came across a mine shaft. I doubt they found much or anything since they didn’t go very far.

Numbers are an interesting thing. If we had 14 fingers, would 100 be so important to us? I don’t see any 140 mile marker, but it was nice to see the 100 mile marker in stone.

Stopping at Barrel Springs I loaded up on water and also took advantage of the abundant water to rinse my hair and feet. I’m not sure if washing my feet was the culprit, but about a mile after leaving Barrel Springs I felt a hot spot on my pinky toe. I found a place to stop and discovered my first blister. That sucked, but it wasn’t a big deal. I wrapped a band-aid around it and left. Crossing the grassland of the Vista Irrigation District I came across this grinding stone.

Eagle Rock is a popular day hike for people in San Diego County and of course the PCT. I’ve hiked there before, but this hike wouldn’t be complete without a photo. Since it was late, I was the only one there.

On the way to the Warner Springs Community Center, I took a shower and washed my clothes.

Day 6

22.5 miles or so

From the Warner Springs Community Center at mile marker 109.5, elevation 3040

To camp at mile 132, elevation 4680 via Mike’s Place

Up 4242 Down 2654

Camping: with another tent

People gathered: Cinderfella, Eunice & Rio, Sparky and Lauren and others.

The day outside Warner Springs was beautiful walking through the grasslands. The trail was in good shape and I was walking at 3 miles per hour. I soon saw a male turkey and then found myself among the oaks.

It was 18 miles to Mike’s Place to get water and I planned a spring along the way. I missed the spring and went back half a mile. Ah, the joys of the trail. That number of miles above does not include these secondary businesses. At Mike’s Place there was a Trail Magic surprise from Eunice and Rio. There was a large group of hikers enjoying hot dogs, soda, Gatorade, donuts, bananas, apples… Truly Trail Magic!

Thanks to Eunice and Rio for the most EXCEPTIONAL magical trail ever!

A scruffy group of hikers enjoying the magic of the trails.

Leaving Mike’s house, I climbed over 600 feet to a ridge line and then quickly descended for 1000 feet.

Day 7

20.6 miles or so

From the campground at mile 132, elevation 4680

To camp at mile 152.6, elevation 4968 by Paradise Valley Cafe

Up 3344 Down 3136

Camping: single tent in the rain

Known People: Dave, Michael

This section is high desert with a water collection cistern. He could have left the trail for a house 1.2 miles away. I opted for flushing and filtered and chemically treated the questionable water. The top of the cistern was broken and the water was being accessed by scooping it out with a broken 1 gallon jug. It is important not to look too closely at the bottom of said cistern, since there are often dead animals there. I’m glad to say I didn’t look and I’m sure there were no dead animals. This stretch had lots of pretty cacti, quail, good sleeping spots, and Trail Magic again!

Michael from Chula Vista brought donuts, water, sodas and beers. Sitting with Michael and chatting for a while was a nice break. Opting for a sugar donut, I continued down the trail.

Thanks Michael!

A place to sleep in the shade. Note the «decorated» toes. 🙂

Dinner at Paradise Valley Café

Upon arriving at PVC after a long day I was enjoying the burger and beers.

After a mile-long hike to a tent site, I set up my tent and began my mostly hip-opening nighttime yoga routine, but halfway there the storm hit.

Day 8 The cold, wet and icy realities of life

18.3 miles

From the campsite at kilometer 152.6, elevation 4968

To the campground at mile 170.9, elevation 6901

Up 6650 Down 4623

Camping: alone

People I met: Dean from San Jose and Just Jim.

The weather forecast called for rain overnight, stopping at 6 and clearing at 2. Ha. Getting up and packing up quickly I hit the road. The wind was blowing strong and was between the clouds with a drizzle interspersed with rain. This day turned out to be the most complicated weather event of my life. The wind was blowing 40 to 50 miles per hour and pushing me around.

I headed to my camp at 6900 feet and it was 20 degrees at 5pm. If I could go 10 more miles I’d be in Idyllwild, but it was dangerously cold and I didn’t have the energy to do it. During the night it was below freezing, so I slept with my hoodie and shorts inside the quilt. That way they wouldn’t freeze like my shoes that were solid in the morning. As it was, I was a little worried about the cold and was pleasantly surprised that my equipment and training were sufficient.

Tree branches are covered in 1/2 inch of ice. It was truly magical.

Day 9 Into Idyllwild and day zero

10.1 miles

From the Camping at kilometer 170.9, elevation 6901

To Idyllwild via Devils Slide

Up 2149 Down 2644

Camping: alone

People gathered: some hikers leaving Idyllwild

The morning dawned clear, sunny and cold! There was frost on my sleeping quilt inside my tent and my tent was covered in frost. Packing the trail went over a rock slide and then over snow on the trail. Soon the trail was covered in snow, which had frozen and thawed and was icy. Since the weather forecast didn’t call for snow, I didn’t have my microspikes with me. That was a mistake and I walked slowly so as not to fall. Soon I was walking through mud and my shoes and socks were soaked. After filtering water at Tahquitz Creek, I enjoyed the day heading to Saddle Junction and Devils Slide. At the end of the trail I met up with Marnie and we headed into town.

Next, backtrack down Devils Slide to Saddle Junction and then point north.

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