FabfiveM8 - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2021

View: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13 
(Click image for full size)


 

Desert Section Northbound Day 10

Waking up early-ish, our little three person dwelling started to feel like a sauna, as the sun began waking up and warming up. Knowing this was an indicater of our day ahead of us, I thought it best to wake up Snowcone before she began to melt. There were a few adgenda items to accomplish before hitting the trail and hiking out almost 9 miles down to the desert floor.
The first and most pressing task on my list included nailing down just where we were headed at the end of the day, for how long, and just how we were to travel to wherever it was we were going. How?s that for a lot to consider. The best way for me to figure out these details always comes back to finding a sounding board and inviting input, often from my husband Dave. Turning on my in-reach satellite device, I reached out to Dave. We chatted back and forth of the pros and cons of either going to San Diego for a few days before heading to Big Bear to continue hiking from there, or finding a ride to Palm Springs, about 20 miles east of our exit point, picking up a rental car and heading home for a few weeks. This decision was hard for me. I so desired to continue forward, however not by myself. Eden would be leaving the trail in Big Bear. After the hardship of this last snowy, waterless leg, I knew, personally, I feel so much more at ease hiking with someone else. Having a partner to discuss decisions with, to help me stand up from a squatting position with a 45 pound pack loaded down with water, and to enjoy evenings with as well as much more, just felt important to me, safe. Not only that, my ankles, complaining of all the extra pack weight being forced upon them to carry, had something to add to the conversation. So, with the aide of my husband, we decided it best to hop off trail for a bit. It seemed the long water carries, the hot desert and the snowy mountian tops were persistently a part of the desert. With that very emotionally hard decision made, the next issue presenting itself was just how to get to Palm Springs. Dave set about securing a rental car and lodging for the night, while I fished around for transportation. Thankfully, I found on the FarOut app, a man named Steve who offered rides from the I-10 interstate to wherever your desired, asking for comparable compensation to a Uber driver. Perfect. Chatting back and forth with Steve, pick-up was set for 3pm at I-10 where the hikers hang out under the overpass.
Now for the walking. Up and out of our little heat-box called a tent, we packed up, eager to get a move-on before the heat of the day zapped us too much. We found so much beauty in the downward walk. Wildflowers showed off their brilliant colors along the side of the trail, often tucked in and around the large boulders that surrounded us. Neither Snowcone or I have seen the desert bloom before. We stopped often to snap photos as to never forget their beauty. Occasionally we would come across a Boulder huge enough to offer us some shade to sit in. These respites had to be kept short though, as we now had a 3 pm deadline. About half way down the mountain we began passing day-hikers heading up the sun-pelted mountain. They would often stop us, asking about our adventure. I could only imagine how hot they must have been, climbing the thousands of feet upwards, as heading down proved to be war enough for me.
Eventually, after winding around and around the bends of the trail, we came upon the notorious water pipe. This was the first water in over 20 miles, and it was cold too! Having no need to fill up our bottles, we continued down a paved road to a small housing development. The wind picked up as we passed by the residents, nice and cool in their air conditioned homes. Crossing a lonely road, the signs led us back onto the desert sand to pass through the low growing shrubberies for the remaining miles. Heading toward the underpass calling us forward the last few miles, wr were glad for the breeze keeping us a bit cooler. Snowcone bound down the trail, pep in her step, as I slowed a bit listening to my ankles complain. I knew te decision to get off for a bit was the right one, but my heart was feeling sad too. Am I too old yo be doing this? I have waited 10 years to hike the PCT, was it too long? Ugh.
Making our way to the underpass, we were greeted by ?Bubba?, a fellow hiker. Gallon jugs of water lined the cement shelf, along with hiker boxes loaded with discarded items of hikers gone before us. Grabbing a Lipton tea bag, a jug of water, and some fruit cups, we plopped ourselves down in the chairs left by a trail angel. Ah! This was perfect. Tea, though not iced, was a special treat I looked forward to as I stuffed down into my water bottle. Before our ride came, we met two other hikers, Starburst and Sugar. We chatted briefly before seeing our ride waking up on the road.
Slingin our packs, we walked the short distance up to Steve?s silver sedan. Steve drove us the short distance to the Palm Springs airport rental cars. Paying him $ 40, and we were on our way. First stop?.secure the car, second stop?Walmart for food and sundies, third stop?.Chipotle Mexican food (yum!) and last?.the the Staybridge Suites. There were a few hick-ups with the front desk, but nothing the Happy Hour didn?t help with. That?s right, we arrived just on time for nachos and wine (soda for Snowcone). Being pretty tired, we were content to hang in the room, shower, eat, and watch shows, doing the laundry in between. It felt like a long day. Retiring at 9:30pm, we knew tomorrow would be a lot of sitting for our 5 hour drive home. We said our good nights, as we drifted off to sleep on clean, crisp, white sheets and a cushy mattress. Ah.

Entry 74 of 74
First  :: Previous  :: Next :: Last