PCT day 10 - mile 179 to mile 185 (San Jacinto)

April 29, 2022

"May the peace of wilderness be with you" California State Parks

"We're on the elevation of a plane without being in a plane man" Spencer.

So mile-wise today doesn't look like much, but elevation-wise and out of PCT activity it was a helluva busy day.

We set off from our camp in Saddle Junction as planned at 7am, descended 1600 feet to Humble Park-Car-Park, but we couldn't get any transport down to Idlewild so we just followed the road another two miles until we reached the city centre. We got there at about 9am and only one shop was open Idlewild Fairway, but it was decently stocked and we managed to get all our resupply done for next three days (our backpacks got way heavier at that point). Then we failed at finding a place to have a shower, as all the campsites required staying with them for a night (or buying a stay) which was 25$, a bit pricey for a shower, so we passed. Which means we will be going a week without shower now, but hey at least we got our laundry done! You have to look for positives sometimes :)

Laundry took about an hour for wash and tumble dry, then we went to The Lumber Mill restaurant for a quick burger (and bottomless sodas!) after which I could feel calories pouring our of my ears. Next we headed towards the local hiking gear shop were we've been told someone could give us a lift back to the parks-car-park, but the guy at the counter said that the easiest option is to just stick the thumb up, and so we did. It only took few minutes, a pick up van stopped and a very nice gentleman called Max gave us a lift back to the trail.

Once there we begun going back were we came from in the morning - Saddle Junction, it took about an hour after which we had a big decision to make - either follow the PCT around the highest peak in Southern California - San Jacinto, or climb it, we went for the latter. Luckily the snow was low enough to walk without micro spikes (but still we went through a lot of it on our way up) unluckily it was another 2700 feet up from where we were. With a little help of soda calories we managed to get there by 5pm. Was it worth it - yes, was it a little reckless - maybe, was the view good - absolutely.

We stayed at the peak for around twenty minutes after which we started our descent. At this point with all the elevation gain and extra weight in the backpack I was so tired that I said to Tom that we should stay at the first decent camp spot we come across, luckily there was one few miles down called Little Round Valley Campground, so we set our tents here for the night.

Today was also the day of my first number two in the PCT wilderness, as I must admit I had been a bit 'blocked' for the last couple of days ;) but a pear and couple of dates did the job. I even went to the pharmacy and got few free (trail magic?) pills for the problem, but I didn't have to use any. God bless the fibre.

"Hey Spencer, here is your plane." Cinnamon.