More Desert and Breakfast with a High School Friend - (Starting at Trail Mile 129.2 -151.8, elevation 5571 - 6306)

The previous day, I had hiked the canyons and switchbacks through the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, with burned areas of Coulter pines.  Today, there is Tule Canyon, Coyote Canyon and Nance Canyon.  I've taken to setting my alarm for 4:00 am, so that I can do a good portion of my hike in the cool morning.  I was glad to have the water information from the caretaker at Mike's Place.  Otherwise, I would have been tempted in desperation to get water at very yucky sources.  For example, Tule Spring (shown on my app) is a hike some distance down a slope from the trail.  Since I stocked up with 6 liters of water at Mike's, I avoided that extra steep hiking off the trail.  Also, there is an old cistern water source.  Some previous hikers said the water was gross and tasted like sulfur.  Again, I peeked into this cistern and was glad that I didn't need water yet. 

Peeked through the cracked top of this old cistern.  Gross, green-brown muck.

The trail has become difficult to walk on because it is deep, fine sand; like walking on the dry part of a beach. Every step sinks into the sand, making going tough.  I climb Combs Peak and descend to a dirt road, Chihuahua Valley Road, where I was happy to find a water cache, set up by wonderful trail angels where the trail crosses a rutted dirt road. 

Water Cache

I camped where I could pitch my tent behind a big rock for shelter from the wind.

I didn't have far to go to reach Idyllwild the next day.  Again, I woke up at 4:00 and started walking, munching a protein bar, because I planned to meet a high school friend and her husband outside Idyllwild for breakfast.

I passed a husband and wife (Andy and Dani) I had leapfrogged with for the last few days.  I had met them at a water cache.  Dani was having some issues with her feet and ankles and was looking forward to receiving a resupply box in Idyllwild with new insoles for her shoes.  They were now camped at a 500 gallon water tank area called Muir Woods.  This area is equipped with a picnic table, places for pitching tents, and a small library.  There are standing posters of John Muir with some of his quotes.

Muir Woods camp and water tank.  Andy's up.

Cutouts of John Muir with quotes.  Library and trail registry.

Interesting canyon edges.

There was a majestic canyon near the end of my hike this morning. 

More amazing in person.

Passed the 150 mile marker.  Woo Hoo!

When I neared the trail-head near Hwy 74, I came around a corner to see Marv had hiked up to meet me.  What a treat!  We hiked down to where he had left the truck and drove one mile to the Paradise Cafe outside of Idyllwild.

Debbie and I toast with morning Mimosas!

Debbie Keller Blackhurst and I went to high school together, and have reconnected via Facebook.  She knew the trail crossed the highway near Idyllwild, so we made arrangements to meet at this cafe, one mile from the trail.  The Paradise Cafe is supposed to have the best burgers on the trail, but since it was morning, I opted for an omelet.  It was so fun to visit, catch up on our lives over the last few decades, and talk about the Pacific Crest Trail.  We toasted with morning Mimosas.  Thank you so much to Brent and Debbie for traveling an hour and a half to meet us and treat us to breakfast.  It was a real highlight of my hike.

Due to a trail closure just up from where I got off, I decided to go home with Marv for a shower, wash clothes and resupply my food.  He would take me back to the trail on the other side of the closure the next day.