After a second restful night, I was picked up at 7am by local trail angel Grumpy (same guy who drove us on Monday). Because this was further away, Eddie and I paid him for the ride to the Interstate. He’s a character … and it’s a long windy road out of the mountains to the desert … and he’s not the smoothest driver 😂 We are grateful for the support though …
When we got to the Interstate, we had a look around the overpass (has trail magic, a register, hikers sleep there etc.) and I ran into Magnet from day 1-3.
Walking away from it, the theme for today was clear: Wind! Lots of it!
We climbed towards the Mesa Windfarm and had mostly a strong tail and side wind.
I stopped at the Windfarm office that is open to hikers; the workers there just let us sit in their lunch room, there is food and drinks for a donation and a restroom. Plus free wifi!
The views back towards San Jacinto were great!
From the Windfarm, the trail climbed steeply over a ridge and steep down into another canyon towards Whitewater. To put the wind in perspective: the over 400 Windfarm towers had shut themselves off because it was too windy (according to the engineer); a day hiker I met on trail said he couldn’t keep his car in his lane on the highway. The side wind pushed me into bushes; when it switched to a headwind you had to lean forward to just put another foot in front of you. I’ve never experienced such wind before!!!
At the Whitewater junction I turned (an extra mile just for Geoffrey!) and checked out the preserve.
The ranger allowed us (2 other hikers there) to camp there but it was early and I decided to push on instead. It’s a nice oasis though!
After that, the trail climbed steadily. It often went east and west and south … lots of snaking around (yes I saw a big snake too!). The views were nice and in the afternoon the wind got a bit better.
I pushed on to Mission Creek and with some of the people I saw on trail today, we have a little village going.
It’s a comfortable spot right next to the creek. Hopefully it won’t be too wet!
We are at 3100ft and in the next day or so we will climb to 8700ft! Ouch!
Biggi… have been here almost since the beginning…. (along with the rest of the cheering, admiring readers…) You, dear lady are a marvel, and a mystery … all wrapped up in one. Is that an enigma..?? Somehow… it feels you’re looking for the as yet, undefined pieces of what makes Biggi tic, toc, tic, toc. Most of us don’t have the question, never mind looking for answers. So admire you for completing the PCT… the final answers to the questions. Look forward to hearing the thoughts that rolled through your mind on this incredible journey… as you discover you hate the hot desert wind….!!!! Would never have what it takes…. but, I can now accept the challenge vicariously Best… .
Thanks for following along Phil! With Mona, Tom, Graham, Stephen, Sheilagh, Carmelle and Rob, you were at the end of the first part. Now you are still part of this! Yeah that wind was something else. It’s no fun! All the details over coffee but keep reading!
This “episode” one of the most exciting !–Loved the pics /motion films–Carry on dear
I will my dear!!! Thanks for reading!
We experienced winds like that in Torres del Paines Park in Chile. Apparently they’re pretty common and they make it very difficult for hiking and cycling.
I can imagine! There was no hiking there either … just pushing yourself around the corner to have a bit less wind to be able to move straight and not bobble around aimlessly 🙂
Biggi: sounds pretty exciting — ich gratuliere dich — whoopee, 6,000 feet! The cactus pictures are fantastic, wind farm interesting, and the over/underpass amazing. Great to have such an interesting pod of hiking pals. Big hugs! Melody
Most people out here are interesting … that’s no overstatement 🙂 From everywhere and all backgrounds! Vets, college kids, police officers, Disneyland retiree, yogi 🧘
We walked around Wood Lake yesterday and thought of you🤣. Sheesh—- sounds challenging. Gotta be bad if it’s too much for the wind vanes. Ugh! Take care. Just got vaccinated ‼️
Great to hear! Canada is catching up! Yes Tom sent me the Wood Lake video … nice option! And that wind … crazy!!!
It still looks very dry there. I can’t imagine the wind and as you know, I don’t enjoy wind. The flowering cactus are beautiful. Good luck with your climb and hiking to Big Bear!
Thanks! Currently at 8100ft, having climbed from 3000ft today. UP it is!!! Yeah the wind was something else …