Inadequate Photos of Spectacular Views

California, Section B (most of it): Warner Springs to Idyllwild

We are now 179.4 miles down the trail and stopped in Idyllwild, CA. Section B of California actually ends at Highway 10 and the end of the San Jacinto Mountains, but most people stop in Idyllwild to resupply. In addition to resupplying, we are taking a zero day with Charles’ family members.

Day twelve started our hike again. We hiked out of Warner Springs through the meadows, which was really hot. We hiked about five miles before deciding to take a couple hour nap to avoid the heat. Though still warm, we ended the afternoon by hiking another five miles to a tent site.

Day thirteen consisted of seventeen miles. Our morning hike took us through a neat boulder field for a couple hours. We needed water toward late morning, so we stopped at “Mike’s Place”, the home of a Trail Angel who provides food and water for hikers. Nick and Charles got a couple of breakfast burritos. Our hike continued up through the mountains and ended with a beautiful sunset.

Day fourteen is my favorite day on the trail so far. In the morning, we passed by a Trail Angel who offered us some oranges and apples (very exciting when all one eats is pasta sides). We hiked on toward a spot called Muir Woods, set up by Trail Angel Mary. She fills up a water tank, has set up a make shift shower, has some shaded picnic tables, and built an out house for hikers to use. She also has a “Free Little Library” with the slogan “books you don’t need in a place you can’t find.” I of course had to grab a book and I got some writings by John Muir. Nick and Charles also picked out some reading material. Additionally, she brought us some ice cold lemonade.

While I could’ve stayed at Muir Woods all day, we were trying to make it to Paradise Cafe, a popular stop for hikers. While hiking to the cafe, we passed mile 150. We stopped for dinner (the restaurant boasts the best burgers on the PCT) and then camped a short way away.

Once hikers reach the cafe, some elect to hitchhike to Idyllwild due to a fire closure later on the PCT. The PCTA offers two alternate routes to reach Idyllwild, one of which we planned to take.

On day fifteen, Charles and I continued our hike toward Idyllwild while Nick caught a ride there. His blisters, while doing alright for the past couple days, were starting to hurt badly again. He made the smart decision to let his feet rest for three days to hopefully avoid his feet getting worse in the future.

Charles and I continued hiking through a weird mix of desert and forest. We also went through a boulder field that takes the cake of all boulder fields I have ever seen. As the day progressed, we had some steep climbs up into the mountains. I’ll admit this is the first day the hiking started to challenge me, but it’s been worth it so far. We also entered the burn scar of the Mountain Fire, which happened in 2013.

Day sixteen we hiked into Idyllwild. We started the morning with a beautiful sunrise and a steep, two mile hike to reach the trail closure. From there, we took Spitler Trail, a road, and some unmarked trails to reach Idyllwild. We met up with Nick and are staying two nights with Charles’ aunt and uncle. After our zero day we’re off to finish Section B and hike towards Big Bear.

Bonus material: Charles being a goof after dinner one night.