Days 12 – 16

May 17 — Day 16
Camped mile 232.3 hiked 13.4 miles today.  It was a hard day today. The trail was washed out for large sections of the Mission Creek part of the day.

May 16 — Day 15
Camped mile 218.9 hiked 11.6 miles today. I woke up quite sandy. The wind had subsided a bit by was still blowing like hell. Walked the 3 miles to the 10 junction and got a Lyft to the Starbucks in Cabazon to wait for Scott and Cheryl bringing my resupply and going out for a double lunch (at least for me). Joel and Craig also stopped at the Thai/Japanese restaurant after we had finished the first. I got back on the trail and it was still blowing like crazy. I walked the 8 more miles into the Whitewater river valley where the wind had subsided as it turns out temporarily. Had a wash up in the river. The night was again extremely windy. I chose a lovely little spot under a desert willow and an indigo bush in bloom to lay my bag. No way would my tent survive the wind, enjoyed a beautiful evening under alternating stars, full moon, and spits of rain.

May 15 — Day 14
Camped mile 207.3 hiked 16 miles today. It was a gorgeous morning with a crimson eastern sky. The views were stunning descending towards the pass. I’d heard that there was an In-n-Out Burger in Cabazon and that I could get a Lyft from the Snow Creek paved road. An admittedly expensive burger (including the ride) but well worth it. I was also able to charge my phone at Starbucks. I got another Lyft back to the trail and found an uncomfortable little gully that offered a little protection from the howling wind. It was an uncomfortable sandy night of cowboy camping.

May 14 — Day 13
Camped mile 191.3 hiked 10.7 PCT + 9 summiting = 19.7 miles. The weather was perfect for ascending Mount San Jacinto. The view from the summit was unbelievable. Continued on the PCT descending below the trailhead for Fuller Ridge to a marginal campsite but out of the wind.

May 13 — Day 12
Camped mile 180.6 hiked 6.1 PCT + 5 to Idyllwild = 11.1 miles today. Woke very early walked across first snow. Got lovely tasty water (of course filtered) by hanging the bladders and letting gravity do the work. I still need to refine my system. Hitched into Idyllwild with the librarian. Had a huge breakfast at Red Kettle with Improv. Spent a couple of hours at the library charging. Got a fantastic campsite.