Day 12 – Idyllwild to Mile 186.6

MM: 186.6

Trail Miles: 9.6

Miles Walked: 17.4

Even though I’d followed Doctor’s orders -taken an epsom salt bath and started the Doxy meds – it didn’t help my aching feet. I had a restless night and didn’t get much sleep.

Regardless, Slim and I were up early and walking up the road to the trailhead in the dark. After 20 min, a Subaru coming down the hill stopped and asked if we wanted a ride. He said his name was Steve but he went by Grumpy. I called him a Trail Angel, but he corrected me, saying he was an Angel’s Helper. I got the impression he meant it in a spiritual sense. He was a character – expounding on Einstein, philosophical theories and Angels in a 20min car ride. It was an interesting start to the morning. We took pictures with him, gave him $5 for the lift and headed up the Devils Slide Trail.

Angel’s Helper Grumpy with Slim

Devils Slide connects back with the PCT around mile 180, about 3 miles beyond where the fire closure ends. I don’t think it will surprise anyone who knows me that I turned south and hiked back to the end of the fire closure. When I said I wanted to hike the entire PCT, I was going to hike all of it that was legally open to be hiked. It added some miles by doubling back, but today wasn’t about trail miles anyways. We were going to summit Mt San Jacinto, the second highest mountain in SoCal at 10,833 ft. The summit isn’t on the PCT but when you’re 2/3 of the way there, why not go for it?

Looking south towards Taquitz Peak

We’d only been above 7000 ft elevation once so far. We were not acclimated to altitude. It was a tough and exhausting hike up San J, especially given my sleep deficit. Truthfully, all I really wanted to do was curl up on a sun-soaked boulder and nap.

Every hiker we passed who was descending assured us the views were worth it. —You can decide for yourself. Views of Palm Springs, the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mtns and the LA Basin.