Hannah the hiker

On day 42, October 13th, we left Big Bear Lake. Kenny drove us back to trail around noon. The trail was pretty cruisey and the weather was perfect. We hiked 7 miles to our first water source and had lunch. I stole Zack’s idea while we were resupplying in town and bought some bread and strawberry cream cheese to have for lunch. It was a tasty change. I left around 3 to keep hiking since we had 10 more miles to go. Again more cruisey trail. I listened to some music and just enjoyed the walking. We walked by some private property which was interesting. A couple of horses and a lot of dogs barking. I made it to camp around 6:50 and set up. It was pretty chilly, so I was excited to get In my sleeping bag. In total it was a 17.9 mile day with 3,400 feet of elevation gain and 1,600 loss.

On day 43 we had some off trail walking. We walked about 7miles mostly downhill to our first water source at Mission Creek. Here we had breakfast and talked about our plan for the day. The trail was washed out for about 10 miles from Hurricane Hillary. So we decided to walk on the trail for as long as we could and then eventually dip down into Mission Creek and walk in the creek bed for the rest of the way. The actual trail was a little annoying. It was either the nice regular footpath or some sketchy dirt that’s easy to slip on, which I did a couple of times. At lunch time we started walking in the creek bed. This wasn’t super fun. But it was super pretty, the rocks were interesting to look at. And it was interesting to imagine what the water looked like when the hurricane went through.

There were some footprints from people that passed through before us. Other than that it was mostly rocky terrain and wet feet. I tried to keep my feet dry but after the 3rd or 4th crossing I realized that would be nearly impossible so I just started walking through the water. It felt nice on my feet and legs but pretty soon my shoes filled with rocks. If I was alone this would be a somewhat miserable portion of trail, but seeing everybody’s smiling faces at our breaks boosted my mood. Our breaks are always filled with laughter so I was really happy to be with the glee club.

We got to the last part of mission creek around 6 and decided to only go 2 more miles to camp. It was around 600 feet uphill on a ridge. This was great. I got a closer glimpse of San Jacinto! Zack decided to camp .8 before our campsite and I just walked half a mile past there to camp. Joe went to the campsite and Gams and Stewart camped near Zack. We were all kind of spread out. It was nice to see the sunset up on the ridge and see the stars come out above San Jacincto. I fell asleep quickly since it was a long draining day. We did 24.3 miles with 1,800 feet elevation gain and 6,000 elevation loss.

Day 44 was a town day! I left camp by 5 and walked down to Whitewater river for our breakfast stop. The trail was a little washed out still the closer I got to the river so it was tough to navigate in the dark. I got down to the river at 6:30 and crossed. I went way off the trail thinking I could find a good crossing point, but never did so I had to backtrack quite a bit. I didn’t see the rest of the Glee club so I just bundled up and waited for them.

Joe (aka Papashark) took off earlier than me and wasn’t stopping in Palm Springs so we said goodbye the night before.

Gams showed up a little after 7 and said that they woke up and left at 6. I didn’t mind though, it was nice to see the sunrise at the river.

We chatted for a bit and Zack and Stewart showed up. It was our last water source for the day. Then we had about 8 more miles until interstate 10 where Stewart’s friend was going to pick us up. It was a hot 8 miles. I felt a little weird going uphill, my legs felt like jello and I felt pretty tired. But I just drank some electrolytes and tried to power through. I listened to some music to help.

It was about 90 out, not perfect hiking weather. I talked on the phone with Conner and my dad too to pass the time.

Eventually I made it to the road and relaxed in the shade. Stewart’s friend, “nose ring Zack” picked us up at 1:30 and drove us into Palm Springs. He got us a hotel room to share which was really generous of him to share. We also ate at a fancy Mexican restaurant. It was tasty food but a bit pricey.

We got to our hotel and Zack, Gams, and I went to the pool to relax. I took a nap in the sun which felt amazing. I took a shower and then we headed to the grocery store. I was a bit hungry and overbought at the grocery store. But it will get eaten.

We all watched The Proposal and ate pizza. I also had a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. That day was about 14.4 miles with 1,400 feet elevation gain and 3,600 loss.

We took day 45 off and relaxed by the pool.

Day 46 was a tough one. Nose ring Zack dropped us off at the trail around 6:45. We then walked about 4 miles to the first water source. I had a quick snack too. We left and then began the long ascent to San Jacinto. It was very gradual and easy going for a while, just steady uphill. The sun was out but it wasn’t nearly as hot as when we got off trail for our zero.

The next water was four ish miles away, and I got there around 10:30. Here we all took a nice break in the shade. We also passed the 200 mile mark just before this water too!

We hiked on. I started listening to a podcast about ticks which kept me entertained on the gradual uphill.

I took a couple breaks in the shade and eventually found Gams under some shade taking a nap. I had my lunch here since it was 1:30 and I didn’t want to wait another hour until the next water source.

We filled up on water and took a break at the next water source. We take breaks at pretty much every source since they are so few and far between these days. The day had cooled off a little but I was still very sweaty. The last 7 miles of the day were rough. We took breaks which were nice but I started to just feel exhausted and cranky. I just wanted to get to water and find a place to camp. The sunset was nice which boosted my mood a bit. Eventually we made it to the water and then to the junction where the pct splits from the trail to reach the summit of San Jacincto. Here Gams and Stewart continued on so they could do a sunrise summit. I decided against it since I was so tired, and didn’t want to be super slow the rest of the way til town. Zack and I camped at the junction. I camped on the actual trail since there weren’t many flat spots. It was a cold night to cowboy camp. In total we did 23.8 miles, 8,300 feet elevation gain and 1,000 loss. I went to sleep around 9.

Day 47 was another rough day.

I left camp with Zack at 5:30 and we walked 8 miles to Tahquitz creek where we were meeting back up with Gams and Stewart. I got there around 9, Zack 9:30, and then Gams and Stewart showed up just before 10. They tried taking a shortcut that ended up not being so short. They said the summit was great too!

Anyway we all reunified and made a plan to hike 14.6 more miles from here to an off trail water source/campsite. After leaving Tahquitz creek it was 37 miles until the next on trail water source.

Just after leaving the creek we encountered a cool exposed part of trail. However there were several blowdowns which made the walking slow. There were a lot of overgrown bushes too that hurt as I scraped my legs past. I tried my best to avoid them but at some point it becomes impossible so I just had to ford through the leg scrapers.

I rounded a switchback and found Gams practically sitting in one of the prickly bushes. She was trying to go pee and turned so I wouldn’t see her, but ended up falling and sitting in the bush. It was funny. But I can imagine it hurt a bit!

We stopped for lunch around 12:30. It was a nice spot in the shade just after a blowdown.

We continued on!

We also met “Man Gams” another SOBO hiker. We all chatted for a bit. And then we only had 6 miles until the campsite. The trail was even more annoying in those last 6 miles. More overgrown bushes and blowdowns. I was getting so annoyed. I also stepped over a log and ever so gently scraped my shoe which ripped on impact. Altras always rip!

I tried to just keep a good attitude and enjoy the trail but it was getting tough. My sweat was seeping into the cuts on my arms and legs and kept stinging.

Eventually I made it to the campsite. Here I ditched my backpack and carried 2 water bottles to Cedar Spring. The spring was .8 off trail and down 300 ish feet. It honestly wasn’t that bad. I met Gams on her way back up. She got enough water for everyone which was really nice. I got my water and walked back up. I listened to Johnny Cash on the way back up. The song “American Remains” came on which was fitting because of Cash’s line “I am a shotgun rider for the San Jacinto line.” This put some pep in my step.

Gams and I camped at Cedar Spring and Zack and Stewart walked another .7 to a further campsite.

We did 23.1 miles with about 4,200 of elevation gain and 6,200 feet loss. I went to sleep around 8:30. I was pooped.

Today is day 48, October 19th. Gams and I left camp around 6 and started the last 10 miles to Highway 74. I slept okay the night before, I woke up once because a moth had flown in my backpack and sounded like a mouse trying to eat through it. Luckily it was just the moth. I thought I had killed the moth before I went to sleep. It kept flying into my head and wouldn’t leave my tent. So I was a little surprised that it was still alive and somehow managed to sneak its way into my backpack.

Anyway, I felt well rested when I woke up. The 10 miles were easy going. A gradual downhill with little to no annoying bushes.

We met at the trailhead parking lot at 10 and nose ring Zach was there! He surprised us and gave us cold Gatorade and snickers bars and offered a ride to Idyllwild. I was so happy and grateful. It definitely brightened my mood.

We got to Idyllwild and went to Amelia’s donuts for breakfast burritos and coffee. It was very tasty. And then we figured out where to stay that wasn’t going to cost us an arm and a leg. We decided on the Idyllwild bunkhouse.

We will take the rest of today off and part of tomorrow. Then we have about 42 miles to Warner Springs! I’m going to try and doctor my shoes up a bit while I’m in town too.

It’s been tough going since Mission Creek. The heat and trail have been taxing. I’ve slowed down quite a bit. After the hiking around San Jacinto my legs have felt like they are moving through molasses. I’ve just been trying to stay excited about the trail and being around good people. If I was alone I don’t think I’d be having near as much fun.

I’m trying not to get too excited about going home, but one thing I’m really looking forward to is having ice cold water readily available.

We are about 151 miles from the border. It’s bittersweet.