Day 15 4.8.2018

With the alarm set for 6:15am Laura and I packed our bags once again. Leaving the comforts of a nice bed was difficult. Our shuttle was scheduled for 8:15 so we were already committed.

Getting back to the trail was exciting today. It felt new again but that sure didn’t last long. Our first task was to get back to the PCT via a side trail where we were dropped off. The Humber Park trailhead is the easiest start point in Idyllwild. Unfortunately it’s not an easy trail. The starting elevation was 6,479 ft. We climbed to the saddle junction at 8,114 ft. And then climbed to 8,992ft where you could take option A and stay on the PCT or be an overachiever and summit Mt. San Jacinto 10,834ft. I’d love to tell you how beautiful the summit view was… but I can’t. Laura and I stayed on the PCT while Justin went to the summit. I figured I didn’t need to kill my legs first day back on the trail and Laura agreed. There’s always time to climb that peak.

I think what’s really nice about hiking with Laura is that our groans and gripes are similar. The general statement has been: we never thought this would be EASY, but we have to admit that it’s hard. I’m hoping with a few more days the uphill climbs will become less of a struggle. With the brace on my knee, downhills seem to not bother me. Both of our packs were waaaaay to heavy today. We both overpack on food. I always carry a little too much water. I’m still learning to find a balance. I ate 5 times today but I can’t fathom counting calories so I don’t know how much I’m really consuming. I know its probably not enough for the amount of physical exertion we are putting out.

We saw our first bit of snow today. That is, leftover snow. Just little bits here and there. Fuller Ridge, which is what we descended prior to our camp spot has been known to be covered in snow early in the hiking season. Today, it was beautiful and sunny. I did hear a few Hikers were up on San Jacinto yesterday and had to descend as there was hail and rain. I have yet to talk with Emily and Dani as they could have potentially been part of that experience.

Other than tough terrain, it was a good day. We also claimed water from our first river crossing. The North Fork of the San Jacinto River was flowing quite well today. I carried 4 liters from there as our next water source isn’t for another 15 miles tomorrow. Which as a matter of fact those 15 miles will take us back down to the desert floor. As of now, there’s not much for campsites after that 15 miles mark, so tomorrow could be a long day over all.

Currently camped at mile 190.5 other than the soreness daily, I’m still having “fun” goodnight.