Start mile 190.5, end mile 209.5, 19 total miles. Elevation 7821 feet start, 1341 end. Total ascent, 510 feet, total descent, 6731 feet, average grade: 369.9 feet per mile. High 77, low 44, high wind warnings, gusts to 60mph!
The theme for the day was to get the heck off of this mountain! I slept in until 6:30, only eating a granola bar for breakfast. I was in a hurry to get started.
I started pretty quickly and within 3 hard fought miles, broke out of the constant snow! Seeing actual trail again was a treat! There was intermittent snow for the next few miles, then good bye snow! It was all down hill from here. I dropped through the 7000s, 6000’s, 5000’s and so on. I left behind the large Ponderosa Pines and re-entered the desert botanical garden.
I crossed the 200 mile milestone! Talk about a boost. I’ve walked 200 miles, up to and over a snow covered mountain. Unbelievable! I continued to lose elevation and gain flowers. There were lots of creek crossings and flowing brooks so water was not a problem.
Dropping down below 4,000 feet was a shock to the senses. Temperatures warmed up into the 70s, s rareity this cool year, and the air smelled incredible, like being inside of a botanical garden. I saw lots of butterflies, birds, and lizards of all kinds. The 70’s felt hot! We’re used to the 50s and 60s for highs.
The high wind warning played out as planned! I delt with gusts as high as 60mph! The trail finally left Jacinto and actually entered a riverbed. I had to walk this riverbed for over a mile, directly against a 30-60 mph wind. I got sandblasted.
I eventually ended up under the Interstate 10 bridge and found trail magic!!! There was cold sodas, cookies, and hotdogs!!! Excellent.
Arriving this late in the day presents a problem. I have nowhere to stay/camp. Zach showed up a half an hour later and we decided to pitch our tents right under the I-10 bridge.
We laughed at our predicament. We’re sleeping under a bridge! Oh well. Joshua. from Hong Kong actually showed up. This was a pleasant surprise. He ended up camping with us. This brings to an end of the most physical 3 days of my life, The next 3 days will be very strenuous also. I have 56 miles to hike in 3 days so I can meet my wife, Jenny in Big Bear for a few days. The next mountain range looms right ahead and it’s also snow covered, and there’s a chance for rain/possible snow in the forest, and temperatures back down to highs in the 50s. This shouldn’t be as hard as Jacinto though.
One final note: I’m currently writing this, sitting right off of I-10, between the interstate and the Union Pacific train tracks. LOL!! Good night from under the I-10 bridge!
Glad to see you got off the mountain OK and the pictures were great to look at.
Love reading your post!
My uncle has a house on Big Bear. I can’t wait to see your pictures!
Love following your journey. I can’t wait to read each post. I’m intrigued by the food and drink left along the trail. Normally a person wouldn’t dare consume this stuff. It shows how good people really are to make such a gesture of kindness.