Date: Monday, May 22nd 2023
Day 12
Miles Hiked: 0
N 33.763220° W 116.655282°
Mile 166.5 to Mile 176.4
- Trail: I started the day doing two bonus miles to get water from a creek flowing into Fobes Ranch, then the trail went pretty much straight up. This section is badly in need of maintenance. There are so many blowdowns that at times the trail is impassable and hikers have to navigate up and across the slope to find a new path. I lost the trail for a brief section and had to navigate through a bunch of prickly bushes, more blowdowns, and snowy patches to meet up with the actual trail again. There's also some poodle dog bush, but most of it was dying. That said, this section did offer some good mountain and desert views.
- Campsite: I'm camped in an open, piney area at just over 8300'. There's some snow patches and snowmelt streams for easy water. It's pretty windy and this whole section is mostly exposed, so tots and pears for my tent. 😬
- People: I hiked most of the day with Justin who is 52 and from Austin, TX. He was previously hiking with a guy in his seventies and a larger group, but the group stayed in Idyllwild an extra day and the friend skipped up to Cabazon. It was nice to have some company, especially on the snowy patches.
- Tomorrow: An easy hike into Saddle Junction, then into Idyllwild. The snow bridge over Tahquitz creek has rotted through, so it'll be my first log crossing.