Desert Bottoms and Mountain Tops

California, Section C: Interstate 10 to Interstate 15 and Cajon Pass (and the last two days of Section B)

We are now 342 miles down the trail and at the end of Section C.

Day seventeen was a wonderful zero day relaxing in Idyllwild. Charles’ aunt and uncle, Susie and Richard, were our Trail Angels, letting us stay with them and taking us from and to the trail.

Day eighteen we started hiking again from Deer Springs trailhead. It was a steep two and a half mile hike to reach the PCT (or it at least felt that way due to more food). We planned to side hike Mt. San Jacinto, about three miles off the trail. The mountain is 10,384 feet tall and gave us some spectacular views. The hike up led us through giant old bristlecone pine trees. One was so hollowed out Charles could fit inside. We also passed by an emergency shelter cabin right below the summit.

Charles and I were also in for a surprise when Nick informed us this would be his last day on the trail. He had been thinking it over and decided that the PCT did not fit his ideals of enjoying the outdoors. While we do try to stop and enjoy places, we eventually rush off again to keep our average mileage. Nick realized that he eventually would not enjoy the trail and did not want to ruin the fun he had already. He hiked his own hike and left the trail feeling happy.

After seeing Nick off, Charles and I continued another four miles to reach a campground. We got a little night hiking in and had a nice view of Hemet’s city lights. The moon was so bright it lit up the entire mountain.

Day nineteen Charles and I were on our own. We had a fifteen mile hike that dropped us 6,020 feet to the desert. The views of the mountains across the valley were gorgeous and pictures do not do it justice. We transitioned from forest to desert and passed the 200 mile mark. In the afternoon we hiked (ran) past a bee hive. None of the bees stung us, but Charles read later that serval hikers went to the hospital due to stings. Our day finished at a water faucet, a major water point for us.

Day twenty we woke up early to beat the heat. We had a windy four mile walk to reach Interstate 10. Underneath the highway is a cache of trail magic called “The I-10 Oasis.” We were about to be on our way when a trail angel stopped by with some fresh fruit.

At this point we were beginning Section C of the PCT. We hiked past Mesa Wind Farm and into the San Gorgonio Wilderness. We stopped for the day at Whitewater Preserve. We spent the afternoon enjoying shade, a nature walk, and wading pool.

Day twenty one started off with backpacking coffee (and now we’re both hooked) by the Whitewater River. After crossing the river we followed Mission Creek for the remainder of the day and entered San Bernardino National Forest. We weren’t used to hiking along side water, but enjoyed the shady trees it provided. We had a very windy night with the wind turning our sleeping bags into windsocks.

Day twenty two was our first actual twenty mile day. We woke up early and hiked three miles to our final crossing of Mission Creek. We also entered an old burn area with huge snags. We were out of the desert again and into the mountains, so for most of the day we followed the contours of the mountains. There were many exciting moments throughout the day including passing mile 250, seeing Coon Creek Cabin, and passing a private zoo. We finally made camp for the night at Arrastre Trail Camp and pitched our tents for the first time in awhile due to the cold.

Day twenty three we had a cold ten mile hike into Big Bear Lake. We were planning on staying just a half day, but the next day had snow in the forecast. Lucky for us, Charles’ Uncle Tom let us stay at his place for two nights to avoid the weather. We spent day twenty four organizing and cleaning gear, grocery shopping, and wandering around town.

Day twenty five started off slow, as we always are after a zero day. We were dropped off a little after nine at highway eighteen. A short way into our hike we traveled through a burn area and had to do a two mile reroute. Charles got creative at lunch, wrapping up spinach, strawberries, and Ritz crackers in a pita. Most of our day was uneventful as we hiked through the forest, but in the afternoon we had some gorgeous views of Big Bear Lake. We camped for the night at Little Bear Springs Trail Camp.

Day twenty six was another slow start due to a cold morning. In the morning we crossed Holcomb Creek and in the afternoon we crossed Deep Water Creek. The trail followed above Deep Water Creek, giving views of many deep pools. Other highlights of the day include crossing two wooden bridges and mile three hundred. We had a cramped camping spot near a seasonal spring that was popular among other hikers that evening.

Day twenty seven has been our longest day yet at twenty two miles. We hiked two miles to reach Deep Creek Hot Springs. There are five natural pools here that we took a morning dip in. Our morning hike followed an aqueduct and crossed a “rainbow” bridge. We stopped for a bit at Mojave River Forks Dam where Charles had fun listening to the echos that bounced between the walls. Back in the desert again, our afternoon was hot and exposed, so we were relieved to make it to Silverwood Lake. We stopped at the a day use area to wade in the lake before continuing on two miles to camp at Cleghorn Picnic Area. We were lucky enough to meet two Korean guys who shared their leftover pizza with us for dinner.

Day twenty eight we woke up early to hike fourteen miles to Cajon Pass and the end of Section C. The popular thing to do is eat at the McDonald’s located a little off the trail, so we stopped there for lunch.

From here we are continuing on five miles to camp for the night and to officially start Section D.

*Charles wants his own section of the blog to write a few comments*

Greeting readers! Elizabeth has kindly allowed me to have my own little blurb in her wonderful blog, so this week I have decided to write a poem.

Walking through the land

Hurting feet and aching pains

But joy I have found