Day 12: 200 miles – Along the rocky San Jacinto Trail

Miles traveled: 20? We lead the way in blue.

Mile marker: 205.7

Last night it dropped to 33.7 degrees here at Strawberry Camp. Cowboy camp? It’s not good.

My legs are damp with… sweat? Condensation? I really don’t know. I shudder as I deflate my mat and try to modestly put on my day clothes under my sleeping pad, which is basically an open-back sleeping bag. You can attach the quilt to your mat and your body.

We pack as best we can with icicles instead of fingers. Rafiki offers to get water for everyone and I accept, knowing how cold it is. It takes me forever to prepare anyway.

«My fingers are so cold they hurt!» Rafiki murmurs in his morning voice.

We began a rocky descent, a technical hike that requires me to tie my shoes several times (I have yet to find the perfect fit for the new shoes) and I nearly twisted my ankle twice. The first time I rolled on it, I felt nothing but fear of possible injury. The second time I felt a slight sting in my ankle.

It’s so cold that I’m wearing my fleece, my raincoat and my hat. We stop on a rock that dominates the sky. All the clouds are gathered below us. It’s so fun to be above the clouds!

Marin is a young woman we met yesterday morning, so we continue to see her along the trail. She also ended up camping with us last night. She is from Montana and spends her time skiing and rock climbing. He also dehydrated his own food for the trip! Like our French friend, Thomas.

Marin is vegan and made pea soup, curries and other meals just for this trip. Her mother actually sends her boxes from home, as she has a mix of homemade hiker meals, purchased hiker meals, and snacks to buy in case she has a change in appetite, which happens frequently among backpackers.

We crossed a beautiful little waterfall that has stone steps! Here we refill water bottles, a task that freezes our fingers. I give Marin some oatmeal and Kind bars, but bars I have NOT enjoyed on the tour, since she accidentally underpacked her food and carries this section.

I’m flying down the hill when my foot slips on the loose rock and slides out from under me. I start laughing and cover my face with my arm. It didn’t hurt, but I can’t believe I just fell on my back.

Later, Rafiki and I walked past a beautiful red plant that Dad was hoping I would see: a snow flower! It is a pinkish red color with mushroom-shaped tulip heads protruding like spores.

Denis, Rafiki and I sat on a log. My legs are irritated, so Rafiki lends me his special ointment for this kind of thing.

I rub the thick wax all over my legs and close the lid. For some reason it doesn’t close. Only after pressing the lid with all my might do I realize that I just broke the wax on top!

Oh no!

I had to turn the twisty little knob to get it out more and now I’ve ruined Rafiki’s ointment!

I remove it, but now the top of the wax has completely come off the bottom.

«I’m so sorry, Rafiki. Here, take it,» I say, feeling stupid, regretful, and laughing at the situation.

«It’s okay,» Rafiki says.

He is a good athlete.

We have lunch at a small stream, where Denis tries to pawn me his Riceroni.

«No!» say. “I would have to cook it for twenty minutes on my gas stove!”

We joke that Denis is trying to blame someone else for his mistake. Apparently he didn’t look to see if rice can be cold soaked!

Now I need to check my blister. While Rafiki helped me by handing me things, he used the New Skin right before me. Well, I left it at that and a moment later I discovered that my back was covered in a yellow residue.

I forgot to close the New Skin!

My God. Now I have to clean everything in my bag with my handkerchief. This whole area smells like acetone, which is especially bad since I filled Rafiki’s space to protect myself from the sun.

Shortly after lunch we descend a very long and rocky traverse. My knees hurt and although the first stretch is sandy, we soon enter more technical terrain.

We rest next to the ridge. It is very dry and sandy here.

On this ridge people hear and see all types of rattlesnakes. Dad points out a fat diamondhead, which he had probably just eaten due to its slow movement along the trail. They are generally quite aggressive.

Our journey downhill is endless.

We carefully and peculiarly navigated the next part I’ve been afraid of: the hive. Apparently there is a beehive that has stung many hikers.

Rafiki, Dad and I walked leisurely along the ridge. The rocks are huge and red or tan in color. Many of them look like cartoon dinosaurs or shark faces.

I raise my trekking poles so they don’t make any sound. FarOut said to walk slowly and quietly. I guess walking fast and loud will bother them? It is a silent ride except for the gentle wind.

We made it, no bites!

We met up with Denis, Marin and another hiker. Now is the time to make a decision.

Sixty-five miles to the next town, Big Bear, and three days to do it. Should we camp here or keep moving?

It’s all downhill, but it’s three miles.

I’m sitting on a rock in the little camp looking at dad.

“Let’s walk,” I say. I’d rather spend my time today taking an easy downhill hike.

Easy is relative, since my knees hurt. At least after a little rest, the foot that I rolled before no longer hurts.

Denis and Rafiki make stupid jokes and we all figure out what kind of group trail combination we might want.

The giant rocks have many small holes that look both scary and attractive – you never know what insects are in there!

We finally reached the water tank! There are plenty of other hikers here, but we set up camp right next to the water source.

The windmills dance in the distance, something we’ve been seeing all day. We can even see the summit of San Jacinto, where we were just yesterday!

Another day of cowboy camp and a moth flies right in front of me! I panic internally, jumping, only to realize that she was drawn to the light from my phone while I’m journaling.

The stars light up the sky above me, although the nearby city is holding back a lot of light.

I think I see a shooting star out of the corner of my eye.

Another day off, another night of cowboy camping and stargazing!

What a day! I’m always so glad to be in bed at the end.

Until next time, good night!