April 26, Day 7: mile 77.1-91.2
Miles hiked: 14.1
Gratitude of the Day: I’m thankful for the trail angels who support all of the hikers along the trail. They make some of the hardest days truly brighter.
I spent the morning resupplying and reorganizing my pack. I wasn’t intending to head out of town because it’s nothing but rain, rain, rain and a cold breeze but I’m antsy sitting around my room. So I’m going to have a noon start to my walk as I head on to the next 100 mile section into the town of Idyllwild.
To get out of Julian you head down to the 2 Foot Adventures gear store and put your name on the ride list. Every hour there is a trail angel that take PCT hikers back to Scissors Crossing to start back down the trail. I was able to get a ride to trail by trail angel Rebecca, her trail name is Fossil Lady, because she is a paleontologist. Also during the ride I found out she’s a geocacher and has over 35,000 cache finds. She was surprised to find out that I knew what geocaching was and that I had an account, so she stopped on the way to the trail and I found my first geocache on the trail with her help. Again, I’m humbled and awed at the kindness of strangers.
Once back on trail at 12 my goal was to catch up with several other hikers that I’ve meet and were about 14 miles in. Also a bonus it’s not raining at the trail so I’m happy I made the decision to start back up. So I just started an audible book called Journeys North (it’s about the PCT surprise surprise) and I cruised the 14 miles in 5.5 hours and tonight I’m camping with my new friends. There was still lots of dramatic views with the stormy rain clouds over the mountains to the west staying away from the trail. Beautiful cactus along the trail were in bloom and say more yucca’s with the asparagus stalks that just make me smile. Dinner tonight was some delicious Mac and Cheese with jalapeño tuna. It’s another windy night and chilly, supposed to get down into the 30s so I’m already in my tent and snuggled under my down quilt at 7:15. Well on my way to the next trail town of Idyllwild.
You're looking great! I love all these updates. What kind of paleontology did your trail angel study? Did she say? Also, Henry wants to know if you will encounter bears and would you take a picture of any bears you see (he's obsessed with bears lately)
ReplyDeleteKatie. There is a possibility that I could encounter bears, but the bears would be a black bear and they’re usually very skittish. So maybe if I did see one it would be from far off. As far as the TA, she didn’t say why type, I asked but she said she worked in Anza Borrega researching fossils there.
DeleteThanks for replying! Black bears are Henry's favorites. I'll look up Anza Borrega - fascinating. Good luck!
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