Day 8
Mikes place to campsite 2.9 before Paradise Valley Cafe.
22 miles
This morning we wanted to get an earlier start since we planned to go 22 miles. I was 15 minutes late (didn’t really matter) from our target time to go because my blisters took awhile to bandage up. Also there was a pit toilet at Mike’s place and most places we go have one too so I haven’t even dug a cat hole yet and we are 140 miles into the trail.
We crushed the first ten miles of trail in the cool of the day before 10am. The water stop was a small spring a quarter mile down a steep trail. By that time, I had a new blister to take care of.
Three miles later we found a nice creek wash to siesta in the shade. As we sat there, some fellow hikers passed and told us the trail we were going to take to Idyllwild would be closed so it happens that we are going into town a day earlier than planned! I am excited to get a shower a day earlier now. We haven’t had one since starting the trail 10 days ago and we are caked in dirt from the dusty desert.
I am also glad to have a day and a half to rest my feet. They are sore but beginning to get better.
Five miles past our siesta spot, we got to a water tank. A trail angel allows the PCT to cross a corner of her land and she stocks a five hundred gallon water tank for hikers. We are all super grateful for the water and little shade tarp she provides.
The next section over San Jacinto looks hefty with some big climbs and descents but we will cross that bridge when we come to it and simply enjoy some rest!
ashleyisoutside 