PCT Day 8

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PCT Day 8, 20 May 2022 (Friday)

“From The Frying Pan To The Freezer”

Start Location:	Wilderness campsite near Paradise Valley Cafe	Destination:	Wilderness campsite near Apache Spring
PCT Miles Day 8:	20.3	Cum PCT Miles:	172.2
Non-PCT Miles Day 8:	4.1	Cum All Miles:	179.8
PCT Miles Remaining:	2,480.4
Elevation Gain Day 8:	5,809	Cum Elevation Gain:	28,390

Compared to the scorching temperatures we’ve had the last week, it was a surprise to get up this morning to freezing temperatures.  Most of the hiking today was in much cooler temps than the last week, but it wasn’t any easier.  The PCT in the San Jacinto Wilderness is relentlessly, steeply up and down.  Tomorrow it’s on to Idyllwild.



Paradise Valley Café, a popular place to refuel.



Going into the San Jacintos.



Plant tower, rock tower.



Rattle snake #3.  Had to go around this one, too.  When you’re on the trail, rattlers have the Bite-of-Way.



Wildflowers in the San Jacinto Wilderness.



Apache Spring - nice, clean, cold water.  It's a steep climb down and back up to get to the spring, but what are you going to do when you need water.

 

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PCT Day 7

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PCT Day 7, 19 May 2022 (Thursday)

“Tanks For Everything”

Start Location:	Wilderness campsite near Mike’s Place	Destination:	Wilderness campsite near Paradise Valley Café
PCT Miles Day 7:	24.6	Cum PCT Miles:	151.9
Non-PCT Miles Day 7:	0	Cum All Miles:	155.4
PCT Miles Remaining:	2,500.7
Elevation Gain Day 7:	3,441	Cum Elevation Gain:	22,581

Today was another long, hot march.  This one had no natural water resources, they’re all dried up.  Luckily, there are very kind people that provide large amounts of water to hikers.  Otherwise, I don’t know how hikers that start in the hot part of the season, like those of us who started in mid May, could realistically do this hike.  So today was basically starting near one large tank and stopping just several miles past another.  Then it will be a short hike to the Paradise Valley Café in the morning for breakfast and to get food and water from there.



Campsite near Mike’s Place.



Mike’s Place Water Tanks.



Mary’s Place, one of those quaint, interesting places along the PCT. She keeps a 500 gallon tank of water for hikers, shaded benches, for sitting, and a little decoration. It’s pretty nice.



Wildflowers a few miles from Paradise Valley Café.

 

 

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PCT Day 6

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PCT Day 6, 18 May 2022 (Wednesday)

“Easy Come, Easy Go”

Start Location:	Barrel Springs	Destination:	Wilderness campsite near Mike’s Place
PCT Miles Day 6:	26.2	Cum PCT Miles:	127.3
Non-PCT Miles Day 6:	0.3	Cum All Miles:	130.8
PCT Miles Remaining:	2,525.3
Elevation Gain Day 6:	4,600	Cum Elevation Gain:	19,140

 

I am posting this on Sunday, May 22. I am still without cellular service, I’m not going to go into details, but it’s been a fiasco.  Luckily, I have Wi-Fi right now.  There is a glimmer of hope I will be able to get this cleared up in a few days when I get to Big Bear Lake.  For now, posts will be still somewhat incomplete and a bit messy.

The first 8 miles today were relatively ideal. Cool temps, relatively easy terrain, nice scenery, and neat rock formations.  But everything after that was hard again.  It was a very long day, and a very hot day. Luckily there was still water flowing at just the right spot.  As I mentioned, it was really hot, and I was very low on water.  I don't know what I would've done if Agua Caliente Creek had been dry.  I also had a pretty neat campsite, it just took a long time to get there.



The PCT going through Warner Valley cow pastures



One of the most iconic PCT sites in SoCA, Eagle Rock



I don’t know if this rock has a name but if it doesn’t I would call it Great White Shark Rock



Life saver, Agua Caliente Creek

 

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