Total Trail Miles: 145.4

Ascent/Descent: 2466/3077 ft

Start Time: 07:16

End Time: 16:25

Temperature: 25°C (77) 

It was another below 0°C night as we woke to frost, wet tents and bags. I didn't sport well as I kept walking due to being cold or my shins being stiff. I was slow to pack up as everything was cold and wet but made a move from Mike's place just after 7. It rapidly started to heat up as soon as the sun rose and it felt like we were properly back in desert mode again. There was an initial climb and then a pretty long descent, the ground was rocky and we had to push through lots of overgrown bushes which felt like they were scratching up my legs a bit and removing my suncream. My right shin decided to start to hurt today, left one was fine again despite that being the bad one yesterday. I could tell that with the sore sun and heat and long water Carrie's it was going to be a long day. It was 9 miles to the next water source, a small stream. I took a few short breaks on the way to rest my shin and the whole group of us took a longer break by the stream although it was almost dried up, enough water to do my feet in though which felt good. I stretched lots and this older guy named Charlie who we had met the day before showed me some good points to massage to ease the pain. Everyone seemed to be suffering from something today, bad , shins, toes or ankles. We're were all in need to of the rest day in Idyllwild that's for sure. It was another 6 miles till the next water which was a underground cistern that collects rain water, it was pretty gross and had lots of dead flies in it and the water came out yellow. Luckily after filtering it it went clear but we also used water purification tablets too to be on the safe side. The next water source was marked as unreliable - a water tank at Mary's place in 6 miles. We decided we would aim for there and hope for water so we could camp there and not have to dry camp. The last 6 miles were pretty killer, my shins were sore and i was walking slow, Andrew was struggling with his shin's too and Eleanor was also struggling, we kept passing each other as we took small breaks to tend to our ailments. We were very happy to arrive to water and a lovely camp spot at Mary's place, complete with some (wonky) picnic benches and a tarp gazebo over them creating some shade. It felt lots nice, cleaner and more welcoming than Mikes place and we settled into our evening routine of chatting, stretching, putting up tents and cooking. Went to bed shortly after 7 as the sun started to set. Just 6 miles to the turning for  Paradise Valley Cafe tomorrow and then a 1 miles road walk, very excited to shower, clean and rest my shins.