Trail Update #3: San Jacinto to Mission Creek

San Jacinto Desert

The climb to San Jacinto Desert It was difficult for multiple reasons. Some consider it the first major obstacle on the PCT, ascending 11,000 feet and descending 14,000 feet over 60 miles. Additionally, water sources were scarce and the trail was poorly maintained in sections leading to some treacherous hiking.

There were dozens of downed trees along the trail, loose gravel, steep cliffs, rock slides, and overgrown thorn bushes to navigate through much of this section. I fell several times but managed to escape a major injury.

My poor time management on the first day led to me walking late into the night. As a result, I was able to see an incredible sunset over the valley.

More importantly, I was able to use my fairy lights which I rarely use because I usually go to bed before it gets dark.

Bears hate bright lights. It is well known.

The second night I decided to camp along the Tahquitz Trail that connects with the PCT a few kilometers from Mount San Jacinto Summit Trailhead. The trail was filled with beautiful tall trees and pine cones the size of my head. When I left my tent in the morning, there was a group of deer grazing nearby.

The climb to the summit of San Jacinto on my third day in this wilderness area was relatively easier than the previous two days. Near the top was a very cool emergency shelter built from stones and tree trunks.

Very impressive construction.

The descent

On the fourth and final day I made my way down the long, tedious walk down the mountain; 15 miles of switchbacks, descending 8,000 feet into the desert.

It was a very hot day and there was no shade. It was BRUTAL. Plus, it happened to be my birthday and I couldn’t help but think that the universe was testing my mental fortitude.

At the base, the forest service had built a random griffin in the middle of nowhere. I assume it was built to prevent deaths because there was still a five-mile walk without shade across a flat stretch of sand before reaching the I-10 underpass and a road into town. There I refilled my water and wet my clothes to cool off.

Mount Jacinto from the desert.

By the time I reached the underpass, I was completely exhausted from the heat. A guy named Mike was there waiting with trail magic; cold beer, pizza and other snacks. The trail provides as they say. It also happened to be his birthday, quite a coincidence!

Rocks and soaked feet

After resupplying in the city, I headed north, out of the desert and back into the mountains towards big bear. I found a good place to camp next to the whitewater river, where I wet my feet and had dinner watching the sun set on the horizon.

The next day was the most challenging of my hike so far. Hurricane Hilary had damaged parts of the trail near Mission Creek in 2023. Some sections were completely washed away, requiring a seven-mile walk across the creek bed.

It took me most of the day to navigate the sandy and rocky terrain. It was very slow and impossible to keep my feet dry as I had to cross the stream dozens of times.

During this run through rocks and water, I ran into a young woman who had broken her phone a few days ago. I offered to guide her through the rest of the landslide, since it would be nearly impossible to find the trail with just a paper map.

It was a hard day, but we made it to the end and climbed up the banks to get back on the trail and dry our feet. I later discovered that many hikers decided to skip this dangerous section.

Climbing along the bank of the stream to return to the path.

Big bears and donkeys

The final push towards big bear It was much easier. I opted to use an alternative route into town as recommended by a hiker on Far Out. Instructions are included to follow the wild donkeys down a remote path to the bus stop. Naturally, I had to see what it was all about.

To my delight, a short walk down the road and sure enough I ran into the donkeys. While I was celebrating my survival by crossing the stream at the town tavern, a local told me that the donkeys were brought in to film a movie and then abandoned. It seemed irresponsible to me but they are supposedly thriving.

Arriving at Big Bear Lake.

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