Day 10, April 27: Mile 132 to 148
Start: Mile 131.5
End: Mile 148.2
Miles: 16.7
Ascent: 2193 | Descent: 2357
I woke up grouchy from yesterday’s tough day, but I knew there was nothing to do but keep walking. I left camp a little later today as it was supposed to be “a little cooler” (spoiler alert: it was still hot).
I caught up to Topo at Tule Spring, about which some people had left comments on FarOut about it being gross, but these were very wrong. It was a lovely little desert oasis, with bright green trees overhead and a small stream running out of the spring. I forgot to take a picture, but someone had left a gallon jug that was sliced in half as a scoop. You scooped the water into your reservoir, and filtered from there. Clear, clean and cool water.
I chugged some water and asked Topo where he learned his map reading skills (a combination of his dad involving him in the planning process of the many backpacking trips they took when he was younger, and Boy Scouts), and my mood began to lighten. I think I must have been pretty dehydrated, so I was extra grateful for this spring in the middle of the desert.
I also met Mad Hermit, a fit older man, at the spring. He told me about how he and his wife are full time RVers, and that she is following him on the trail with the RV and doing trail magic for other hikers. As we were hiking back up to the trail together, I spied his Grateful Dead dancing bear patch on his backpack. I complimented him about it and he said his wife is a huge deadhead (which I am too). He told me her trail name is Groovy. I hope to run into her!
Recharged with water and friendly conversation, I hiked more slow uphill miles. The day was quickly getting hot, and I used my umbrella quite a bit today. I’m so happy to have it. The desert landscape was so beautiful, and I heard my first rattlesnake! I forgot how loud and terrifying those things are. I didn’t see it, but it was in a bush maybe 5 feet away. I scurried away as fast as I could.
After many breaks and not enough snacks (hiker hunger seems to be settling in), I made it to Mary’s desert oasis at mile 145. Mary is yet another generous desert trail angel who has a water tank, picnic tables under a shade structure, and a little free library on the corner of her property that juts up against the trail. Cucumber and IPA (Paul from Taiwan) were there, and I also met Matt and Laura from Melbourne, and Mayor, an old man who we later agreed should be named Sailor because every other word from his mouth was an F bomb.
I hung out at the oasis for a good 2ish hours, and it was a nice respite from the day. I left around 4pm to hike a couple miles to the campsite I was eyeing. I made it there as the sun went down and was pleased to find it empty. I’m trying a backpacking bibimbap meal tonight and it’s not half bad, though I do miss real Korean food. My friend Ann is shipping me a box of goodies to Idyllwild and rumor has it, the box has canned kimchi in it. I can’t wait!!
Also, the best ending to my day! My friend Alex caught up to me at camp. Now I won’t be hiking alone!