Town Day 👍🏻❤️🥗🚿
The pull of town was felt strongly even up at 6000ft 😁 I got an earlier start, after enjoying the sunrise over the desert below.
Dave was up already and I left him around 6:30am (he is smart enough to do yoga before and after hiking!). He resupplied at the Paradise Valley Cafe and was ready to continue on.
I tackled the 2 mile 1000ft uphill to Spitler Peak right away and topped out at 7000ft. This brought me to the Spitler Peak trail junction where, as planned, I took the trail down to the west towards Idyllwild.
The first 1.5 miles were steep and rocky, with multiple creek crossings (yes, water!). Then it flattened into the desert with the familiar cacti and bush.
Just before reaching the trailhead, I caught Billy who had changed his plans and was gathering his friends at this alternate to rest their legs in town and then do the trickier sections starting Wednesday. Joey was already at the trailhead. I hiked those 7 miles in 2:45hrs.
A local trail angel, Grumpy, picked us up and soon after we were in Idyllwild (around 10am). It was nice to put the backpack down and walk around town. My first coffee came soon!
I can see why many hikers love this town … it’s a cute mountain town where you can walk everywhere. I explored the coffee shop, gear store and supermarket.
The Idyllwild Inn was quite busy today checking in hikers, answering questions and getting their rooms ready.
It’ll be nice to sleep in, have a coffee, wash clothes and relax.
Observations: It surprises me how much people can drink! I have watched quite a few thru hikers in various towns now … many many beers disappear once they reach civilization! I’ve even seen people drink a few in the mornings before heading out. How they can hike after that I don’t know! (And yes I know a beer tastes good after a hot day … it’s the quantities that are surprising).
Love the animal sculptures. I wish I could have something like that in my front yard. As for the beers, Sailors do the same thing when pulling into port. Cheers.
I guess they do 🙂 Hardened stomachs!!
Hi Biggi: I sent my brother a few of your pictures, as he’s hiked around the Sierra Nevadas, up Mt. Whitney and the 12,000 foot pass in der nahe, and says it’s beautiful but steep. You are doing SO well, and I’m really impressed. I’m trying to get a bit of a vicarious thrill from this, but in Vancouver, it’s just the anfang Fruhling! Cherry blossoms, bleeding hearts and salmon berries in bloom. We haven’t been up to the Okanagan, but I know that the spring blooms are unterwegs. I am happy you’ve had a town day, and the lodge room looks gemutlich and cute. I’ll be with you in spirit on the next leg! Beautiful sunrise/sunset photos. Well done!
Thanks so much Melody! The next stretch goes into the San Gorgonio Wilderness and we will get up to 8100ft+! Today and tomorrow have the lowest temperatures, then it gets warmer again. I think we will need it for the mountains! Enjoy the spring down the coast and hopefully you can be back in Naramata soon!!
A well deserved break, cup of coffee and baked goods!! Take care:)
What more could I ask for 🙂
I have been trying to convince the beez for some time of the need to include a malt beverage or two in every training program. Now watch for the real serious trainees. They will have a bag of chips in their pack.
Haha! One or two sounds great! Maybe get the Bean Scene to cater to this 🙂
Congrats on the town day! It’s so much fun to read your blog each day. Thank you for sharing the adventure.
And thank you for following along and commenting! It’s so nice to get feedback from you and others (and it stays in the blog so it’s a great record for me for future review of my trip!). I’ve been lucky with cell reception so mostly I have been able to post daily! How are your Arizona hiking plans coming along?