Start: Tentsite at 290 End: Tentsite at 313, by the Mojave River Forks Dam Miles covered: 23 PCT mile marker: 313/2652 Highlight: It was another delightful day, but the highlight was definitely a swim at the Deep Creek Hot Springs. There were refreshingly cold sections, and pools so hot I had to ease my way … Continue reading Day 15 – 23 mi – PCT mile 313 →

Start: Big Bear End: tentsite on a ridge, mile 290 Miles covered: 24 (+1 in town) PCT mile marker: 290/2652 Highlight: Broad views over Big Bear lake. (Honorable mentions: first trail avocado, and sunset at camp.) Biggest challenge: Can’t really think of one. It was a beautiful, easy day.

Start: Arrastre Trail Camp End: Big Bear Miles covered: 10 PCT mile marker: 266/2652 Highlight: So many friendly people in Big Bear. And passing the 10% PCT completion mark. Biggest challenge: None, really. It was a gorgeous morning over beautiful terrain and into a lovely town.

Start: tentsite at mile 231 End: Arrastre Trail Camp Miles covered: 25 PCT mile marker: 256/2652 Highlight: Yummy spring water at a mid-day picnic spot during an otherwise dry section. (Honorable mention: a dumpster full of soda and a couch to rest on.)   Biggest challenge: Aches and pains from a few long days. I’m … Continue reading Day 12 – 25 mi – PCT mile 256 →

Start: tentsite at mile 205 End: tentsite at mile 231, along Mission Creek Miles covered: 26 PCT mile marker: 231/2652 Highlight: 360 views in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Honorable mention: Trail magic at the “Oasis” under I-10 and at the Mesa Wind Farm maintenance building. (Would you walk 200 miles in the desert for a … Continue reading Day 11 – 26 mi – PCT mile 231 →

Start: San Jacinto Peak End: tentsite near water faucet at mile 205 Miles covered: 23 PCT mile marker: 205/2652 Highlight: A very comfortable campsite—with bats!—for a restorative night’s sleep. Biggest challenge: Staying awake. The exhaustion from the previous day, paired with a distracted night of sleep (so many stars!) made for a sleep-deprived state heading … Continue reading Day 10 – 23 mi – PCT mile 205 →

Start: Idyllwild End: San Jacinto Peak Miles covered: 15 (Including the rest of the fire closure reroute, the available miles north of the closure, the Tahquitz trail,  and Tahquitz Peak.) PCT mile marker: 183*/2652 *PCT equivalent, because San Jacinto Peak is on a slightly longer alternate route. Biggest challenge: Leaving the comforts of Idyllwild. Highlights: … Continue reading Day 9 – 15 mi – PCT mile 183 →

Start: mile 166 End: Idyllwild Miles covered: 17  (Most of this was a route around a fire closure, which is much longer than the PCT section currently closed.) PCT mile marker: 168/2652  (This is to the south end of the closure. I will give myself credit for the 9 closure miles when I tag the … Continue reading Day 8 – 17 mi – PCT mile 168 →

Start: mile 140 End: tentsite at mile 166 Miles covered: 26 (+2 miles round trip to the cafe) PCT mile marker: 140/2652 Highlight:  Ridge walk around Palm View Peak (above) and Jose burger for lunch at the Paradise Valley Cafe. Biggest challenge: Climbing up from Paradise Valley Cafe in the heat. But it was  nothing that … Continue reading Day 7 – 28 mi – PCT mile 166 →

Start: mile 115 End: tentsite at mile 140 Miles covered: 25 PCT mile marker: 140/2652 Highlight:  Imagining objects in rock shapes. (Above: Pac Man feeding on hiker trash. Below: choral singer and catcher’s mitt. Further below: a cistern.) Biggest challenge: Moving my tent at 10:30pm because a very loud snorer pitched right next to me. Earplugs … Continue reading Day 6 – 25 mi – PCT mile 140 →