Week 2: Mile 115 to 200

Day 8: 115-135

A very cold morning in the canyon forced me to quickly pack up camp, so I began walking out of the canyon into the sunrise and warmth for a later breakfast. The miles were tough today, with lots of elevation gains and losses in mild heat. It exhausted everyone until we got to Mike’s house to refill water and share a late lunch in the shade. A physically and mentally exhausting day as we tried to coordinate plans for Idyllwild. It’s amazing how physical exhaustion also affects your mental ability to make decisions. After a 20 mile day, we camped at mile 135 and rested body and mind.

Day 9: 135-152

I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to face a new day. I walked about 5 miles to D

Debenedetti’s, a small ranch open to PCT hikers. We filled up water, ate breakfast, and shared morning coffee with Richard and his dogs. After a few belly rubs on the puppy, we were on our way. The desert landscape that followed was rugged, full of dangerous cacti near the trail, but also beautiful wildflowers and plenty of life in a hostile environment. The morning clouds cleared and lunchtime brought all the heat of the day. It was going to be 17 miles to get to Paradise Valley Cafe (PVC), so my motivation during the heat was a juicy burger and a shake. After reaching PVC and getting our reward, the group I was hiking with felt too tired to continue and decided to hitchhike into Idyllwild and zero. I was faced with a dilemma, continue alone with my plan to finish the day on the trail and zero once I reached Idyllwild or alter my plan and follow the group I had been with for almost a week. I chose to follow the group and we ended up at the Mount San Jacinto State Park campground, right off the main road with loud cars and surrounded by loud campers. After enjoying the quiet of nights on the trail, public camping was a tough re-introduction to the real world. After dealing with some trepidation, I accepted that I have to adapt to this change and come up with a new route plan while I rest and reset.

Day 10 and 11: Wild idyll

I had initially planned a zero day in Idyllwild, but with all the plan changes I couldn’t change the Airbnb reservation, so I agreed to the extra break, which was necessary. I also had to re-evaluate my meal plan since my refill wasn’t enough to carry food for 6-7 days. Post office closures on weekends also meant I couldn’t send half of my food to the I-10 interchange. Idyllwild is such a beautiful and peaceful mountain town that I have never been to before; It is worth a visit, whether for hiking or spending time among the towering trees.

Day 12: 152-171

I was dropped off at the trailhead fresh from two full days of rest to take on my toughest physical challenge yet. The PVC section to San Jacinto is particularly challenging as both elevation gain and water are only available off trail. I chose to carry water to mile 17 at Apache Spring. The walk started out gently but I could feel the full weight of the food and water hurting my back. The climb was a leg burner with multiple bouts of banging that made me wonder how I was going to make it up this mountain. The climb is legitimate and humiliates all hikers. We camped at mile 171, making a 19 mile day with over 4600′ of gain plus 2700′ of descent. To my dismay again, the campsite was full and there was only one small corner available. There was no room for a tent and the sun had just set. There was no other option but to try cowboy camp for the first time. I fumbled with my settings, trying to make sure my quilt wasn’t completely covered in dust and dirt. Rehydrate a quick meal and put on all my layers, including my rain pants. It was going to be a cold night at 6900 feet.

Day 13: 171-186

After a cold sleep under the stars, I slowly packed up and made some hot oatmeal, something to warm me up. Water was going to be easier to get, but the elevation gain was relentless. As I hiked deeper into the San Jacinto Wilderness, I entered a picturesque forest full of spruce, pine, and cedar trees. The smell of the forest came strongly. As I approached the route towards San Jacinto. I opted to follow the PCT instead of the blue glow on the FarOut app to the top, and I’m so glad I did. The PCT section from mile 181 to 186 was absolutely stunning, the views looked like something out of a picture book. I can tell why that route was chosen. At the Deer Springs trailhead, around mile 186, another hiker and I began the climb toward a small campground in the round valley. This gave us a great sunset view and a great location just over a mile from the top of Mount San Jacinto, with a plan to see the sunrise at the top.

Sunset at Little Round Valley Campground

Day 14: 186-200

Sunrise on Mount San Jacinto

The sunrise in San Jacinto was magical and cold. Five other hikers and I joined the summit at 6am as the sun rose and cast a shadow over the summit over the Inland Empire and Los Angeles. Soon it was time to begin the long descent to 6500′. The landscape slowly changed from a dense forest of spruce and pine to cacti and desert sage. As I descended, some rain clouds floated past the peak and a light rain fell, giving me a beautiful rainbow over the canyon and into the Coachella Valley to cap off my two weeks on the trail. I camped at mile 200 in a tense spot and had a very windy afternoon, but was glad to have avoided the weather that was occurring on the mountain.

Reflections:

After two weeks of tracking, I was just 9 miles away from completing sections A and B of the PCT. Although I am exhausted at the end of each day, I am proud of what I have accomplished in both body and mind. Do what I set out to do: challenge myself and take the time to observe how my mind handles these situations. I haven’t put my headphones on yet and have chosen to be present with my breathing, my thoughts, and the people I’m with. Very grateful to have felt capable and strong without any annoying problems that other hikers may have. The San Jacinto wilderness seemed like a hidden gem, not talked about enough in the hiking circles I had followed. I definitely plan to return again and explore Idyllwild and maybe another peak sunset or sunrise.

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