First things first...my feet feel great. I haven't had any blisters since I got back on the trail and my new shoes and socks seem to be working. It is a big relief because I thought that there would be a good chance that I would have to get off the trail again at Idyllwild, but I'm ready to be on my way.
Since Warner Springs, it has been super hot as the trail goes into and out of desert valleys between Warner Springs and Idyllwild. My plan was to start off slow and ease back into the trail, but I have yet to do that. Partially because my feet feel so good and partially because I have been hiking with some fun people. A mother/daughter duo from Canada, a guy from St. Louis, another Canadian who is a builder, and someone we named Coyote Jodie.
My first week on the trail was a little hard because much of the time was spent hiking alone, but the last few days, I have been seeing the same six or so people everyday. It has been great to hike with others because the monotony of being by myself gets a little old.
Since Warner Springs, I have gone through some really beautiful valleys, spent an afternoon trying to stay in the shade at a spring (the temperature was 95 in the shade! It was a hot day), ate pancakes and a chocolate shake for breakfast at the Paradise Cafe, and hiked the steepest part of the trail so far.
The 30 miles before coming into Idyllwild was really pretty, but the trail was either going up, up, up or down, down, down. It made for a really tough day yesterday, especially because I ran out of water 7 miles from my next source, but making the last minute decision to come into Idyllwild last night made the tought day better. A shower, some pizza, ice cream, a new waist belt for my backpack (the one that came with it is already to small), and having some lunch with the hikers I have been hiking with the last few days made a great break from the trail.
After this, I head back to the trail and will do my best to get to Cabazon before the heat of the day on Sunday.
Here are some random pics for the last few days...
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| What happened when your out of water. |
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| Post pancake and chocolate shake at the Paradise Cafe |
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| PCT Monument on the trail |
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| One of the random things you see |
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| Oh Idyllwild |
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| Looking down at the desert. It doesn't look fun....or cool |
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| Ready to hit the trail again |
Love the "new" shirt you added to the repertoire of NEW (shoes, socks, hip belt, band-aids, energy)!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're having "fun"!