Idyllwild | Day 8 – 12

Day 8 | Mile 93.9 – 109.0 | Warner Springs

This stretch was our favourite thus far. Early rise at 4:30am and I left camp at 5:40am to get some miles in before the heat of the day.

We hit mile 100 around 8am. Crazy feeling considering we passed 50 miles three days ago. As we came down into the valley, the landscape was quite different from the previous one near Julian. There were large oak trees, meadows, long grasses, cows roaming, streams, a cool breeze… We felt great walking through here and the break from the desert was a very welcome change. We took a long rest at a stream where other hikers strolled in and also took a break.

We continued on to Eagle Rock and then stopped a half mile before Warner Springs. Just before camp, our path was blocked by a couple of stubborn cows that refused to get out of the way. Eventually, they lost their nerve and scampered off. Nice open camp site near a sediment-heavy stream.

Day 9 | Mile 109.0 – 126.9

Picked up my second resupply box in Warner Springs. Really glad I had this box as the resupply options here weren’t great. Big climb coming out of Warner Springs with little water available. It was our hottest day yet at 34C. We took many breaks but the sun and heat were still draining.

At one point, I was looking for shade to rest and came across this great campsite with Manzanitas trees providing shade. I noticed an odd looking stick. As I got closer, the stick started to move. It was a huge rattlesnake; finally! It didn’t rattle at me but just slowly moved away, was not interested. It was about 4′ long. Very exciting to see. Earlier in the day, I saw a large gartersnake that was about the same size, not as exciting but still fun.

From a pretty grimey water source and midday rest area to camp was another 7.6 miles uphill. I really struggled through his section. I felt drained and my feet were killing me. Camp that night was at Mike’s Place which is a cabin/shack in the mountains. People camp in his yard whether he is there or not and it’s a water resupply point. There are three large silos of water there. We arrived just after 7pm and were a bit hysterical after the climb and heat.

A hiker who arrived just after us only refilled their water and kept moving. As we ate dinner, we could see their headlamp on the far hill side doing the switchbacks we’d have to face tomorrow. Another hiker played harmonica as we all relaxed and chatted before bed.

Have I mentioned that bedtime out here is generally between 8-8:30pm? Everyone is exhausted by the end of each day and typically wakes up between 4-5am.

Day 10 | Mile 126.9 – 143.9

Out of Mike’s was a long water carry, up to 25 miles. I left there with about 7L (over 15 lbs.) of water to ensure I had enough. There were reports that the spring splitting the 25 mile distance was unreliable.

We put in about 10-11 miles before reaching the questionable Tule Spring around midday. We needed a break and decided to seek out shade under the big trees near the spring. We ended up resting here for about 4 hours because the heat and sun were so intense. During that time, some other passed through and others rested. The woman with tbs two horses from a number of days ago came down to the spring to see if there was any water available and accessible for the horses. We chatted for a while before she asked us if we were ok with horses. She needed someone to hold one of the horses while she fixed her saddle. I volunteered. Zaia, the horse, was very well behaved but was wearing a muzzle so she couldn’t chow while they were on the cliffs. She kept nudging me with her head and then would stare at the grass. I asked if it was ok to remove her muzzle so she could snack. When that muzzle came off, she ate nonstop for 20 minutes. They had just stopped for lunch too. Petting and interacting with the horses was great. They were very calm and abiding, besides the initial head nudging.

In the end, because we stayed for so long, we did get water from the spring and it still holds the title of skunkiest water so far.

We finally continued on to knock out some more miles to bring us closer to Paradise Valley Cafe and have a shorter hike the following day.

Most of the group we were with hopped off trail and stayed at a hostel instead. The heat of the day really lingered and did not give our evening hiking much relief from the temperature. At our site, we could hear coyotes in the distance. Gorgeous stars. Into town tomorrow!

Day 11 | Mile 142.9 – 151.8 | PVC & Idyllwild

The best morning hiking so far! Cool, fully shaded. It was nice and easy climbing coupled with spectacular views.

While hiking, I started talking with this guy who was telling me about some other trips he had done. In the ’90s, he had cycled from Alaska to Argentina over the course of 1.5 years! There are some hardcore people out here haha.

We arrived at Paradise Valley Cafe (PVC) around 10:15am, it’s about a mile off trail. This marked the start of our town time in Idyllwild. We had a couple of beers and a huge breakfast at PVC.

The service was top notch and they are very hiker-friendly. We hitched a ride into town and checked in to our stay. I immediately showered. I thought my legs were somehow tanned through my pants but it turned out that my “tan” was just dirt and washed off in the shower… I had a good laugh. Next stop was the laundromat where they had “loaner” clothes for hikers to wear while washing. I had on a really comfy pajama set haha. We went for dinner at the Idyllwild Brewpub and splurged.

That night, I had a minor panic attack about water. I woke up around 1:30am stressed about not having any water. I shot out of bed to grab my water bottle which was empty.

Day 12 | Zero Day | Idyllwild

Our first “zero day” which is a day off where you don’t walk any trail miles. It was a day of errands, calls, and relaxing as much as possible before going back to the trail the next day. Had a delicious omelette for breakfast and my first coffee in 10 days. We met the town mayor, Mayor Max and his Vice Mayor, Meadow. I understand why the town runs so smoothly.

Lando and I invited some other hikers over for a lunch BBQ where we were staying. For over an hour, we thought that there wasn’t anybody coming. It turned out that everyone was at a different grill on the property about 75 feet away. Eventually, we all met up and had a nice afternoon.

I think it’s going to be hard to leave town!