Day 8, April 25: Mile 96 to 111
Start: Mile 95.9
End: Mile 111.3
Miles: 15.4
Ascent: 1277 | Descent: 2667
Today I slept in until 6:30 or so which felt luxurious. As I was packing up my camp, I saw the big group I had been with for the first couple days hike by my campsite. I broke camp, feeling rested and relaxed, and started hiking. I quickly caught up to the group while they had a snack and sunscreen break, and it was nice to see and chat with them!
I hiked away and ended up behind a guy named Charlie, from Portland. We had about 4 more miles to go before hitting a highway, and he and I talked the entire way down. It made the miles fly by, and (!!!) we crossed 100 miles! I’m 1/26th of the way there! Woooo!
We got to the highway and called the folks at the Montezuma Valley Market, who give hikers rides to and from their store. Alex, Feather Blue and Bop-It from a few days ago were all waiting for a ride as well. Cameron with the dreads came shortly after I arrived and we piled 7 hikers into his Jeep.
After a short drive, we got to the market around 9:30am and it was AWESOME. They had everything you wanted, and everything you didn’t know you wanted. A wall of tuna flavors, single serving spam in a pouch, 25 kinds of beef jerky, bibimbap meals to go, every type of candy, bar, drink mix, energy gel, whatever, you name it.
I had sent a resupply package to Warner springs but I called the post office and was able send it ahead to Idyllwild because I had heard from people that resupplying at the market was the move. I’m glad I did and stocked up my food for the next 5 day stretch. I also got a beer, Red Bull, and a frozen chicken pot pie. Breakfast of champions.
More hikers showed up and we enjoyed our respective feasts at the picnic tables in the shade of the oak tree. It was fun to chat with everyone. Someone gave the trail name of Lobster to Charlie on account of his incredibly sunburned rosy calves.
At the market, I charged all my electronics, caught up on blogging, traded some leukotape for a beer, and ordered microspikes to be sent ahead for the snowy section of Idyllwild. There were mixed reports on whether they would be needed, but I figured better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.
I met Sunshine who had beautiful tattoos covering her limbs, her friends Tripod and Taz, Leah, and some others who I forgot the names of. I chatted with Alex more, and he tried to convince me to come to the nearby mountain yoga retreat which has foot baths, hammocks, dinner and breakfast, morning yoga and beds. An incredibly tempting proposition, though I ultimately declined.
We took some group photos with the famous yeti statue and I was feeling stuck in the alluring vortex of the store, with its chairs, beer, shade, snacks, etc. I ended up spending over 3 and a half hours there, which was much longer than I anticipated.
Before I left, Alex proposed a trail name for me: Dilly Dally. I had said something to the effect of “ok, that’s enough dilly dallying!” at the underpass a few days before, and I said something like that again today. I’d like to think of myself as an efficient person, and I’m letting the trail name percolate for now, but I think it ultimately suits me, especially the me on this trail. I’m thoroughly enjoying taking my time, taking breaks to air out of my feet, stopping to take photos, taking in all the nature.
The next section was a very exposed grassy section and my sun umbrella was out to good use. I stopped to sit under an inviting tree (dilly dallying…) to take off my shoes for a bit and a guy came and joined me. His name is Tank Top, and he’s hiking the calendar triple crown this year (the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and the Appalachian Trail). He said he started on January 14th. Mind blowing! Plus, his namesake tank top that he wears says in big letters “THIS GUY CAN PARTY.”
I kept hiking and called my sister for a bit. It was so nice to talk to her. I passed by the famous eagle rock and it definitely lived up to its name!
The terrain continued to be exposed and hot, though I hiked alongside a few streams that were nice. I came into Warner Springs and went to the community center, where they have some resources for PCT hikers. I took a bucket shower, which is as it sounds: fill up a bucket with some hot water, go into a stall, use a pitcher to pour water on yourself and scrub away. I felt completely refreshed after, no kidding!
I also did some bucket laundry and chatted with other hikers in the shade. I met stoner Eli the truck driver, who was a far out trip indeed. I talked more with Tank Top, who arrived with a pint of butter pecan Thrifty ice cream that he shared bites of.
At the risk of dilly dallying too much longer, I gathered my things, filled up my water bottles, and continued on hiking. I got my favorite campsite yet, under a big oak tree with a picnic table!! Glorious.