May 12 — Day 11
Camped mile 174.5 hiked 16.2 PCT + 2 Apache Springs = 18.2 miles. Hot and hard day. Lots of climbing. Traveled thru lots of burned out forest from the Mountain Fire. The PCT through this section just opened up this year. It was sad to see so much deviation since my 2013 walk when this area was pristine.
May 11 — Day 10
Camped mile 158.3 hiked 18.1 PCT + 2 off PCT = 21.1 miles today. Cool morning. Saw Mary of Mary’s place at mile 145 on her horse. Had lunch with my niece Noel and my brother-in-law Rod who had drove up to the Paradise Valley Cafe to meet me. It was nice to see some clean people. They drove me out to Idyllwild to pick up supplies till Cabazon.
May 10 — Day 9
Camped mile 140.2 hiked 15.3 miles today. Took a while to pack up after a wet night. It was only a couple of miles to Mike’s place. Mike opens his property to thruhikers and provides an important water source for this section of the trail. Continued to a campsite I used in 2013.
May 9 — Day 8
Camped mile 124.9 hiked 14 miles today.
May 8 — Day 7
Camped mile 110.9 hiked 8.8 miles today. Passed through the verdant rangeland around Warner Springs. The last few miles into Warner Springs proper were along the babbling brook in Cañada Verde. This short section of the PCT from S2 West of Ranchita to 79 at Warner Springs is one of the loveliest easy sections of the trail. Warner Springs hosts PCT hikers in the Community Center. The town goes all out. I charged my devices, resupplied food, bucket washed myself and clothes which was a great treat. Went to the Golf Club restaurant and met many thru-hikers including Klaus, Pick-of-the-Litter, Max, Kevin, etc. Burger and beer for me. Camped a very short distance away.
May 7 — Day 6
Camped mile 102.1 hiked 22.7 miles. The San Felipe Hills were green and unseasonably cool this time. Met Klaus and Dizzy Eyes at the 3rd gate water cache. Camped just beyond Barrel Springs. I love the section from Barrel to Warner Springs. It’s ranch country.