Day 12: highs and lows... dubbed Godfather

May 1, Day 12: Mile 155.9-170.9

Miles Hiked: 15 trail miles, 2.5 miles off trail for water

Gratitude of the Day: I’m thankful for my friends Sarah and Kyle. Sarah has the most infectious smile to go with the kindest heart a person could ever have. Kyle her fiancé, may seem like a tough guy, but deep down he’s just as sweet and kind and has a smile to match Sarah’s. These two people have opened their home to me, late night games, delicious dinners and just overall hospitality. 

Not only huge, but heavy!

Today started out fairly early, up at 4:45am and headed down the trail at 5:20 it would be a day of staggering views while going up to start 2800 feet, only to drop back down 1000 feet to turn and climb 1600 feet to our current camp spot. Twice to get water today we had to divert off trail. Both of the diversions were down steep embankments that just added elevation and mileage to an already long day. 

Salton Sea in the distance 

Desert spring

Trail names!!!  So Sarah, Jacob and I all got our trail names today. They just happen naturally. This morning as I was slogging up the hill and Sarah passed me and said I was zippy, as she passed me all I thought was, “no that’s perfect for you”. So Sarah became and accepted Zippy as her trail name. As far as Jacob he carries a Shaw for sun protection, has a sweet mustachio and chops, long hair and he reminded me of a matador. So I coined him Matador and he took this name. As for me, I’ve been trail named Godfather. My trail hiking friends said I’m always checking on my trail family and offering them snacks and food.  So we all have our names. 

Tonight Zippy, Matador and Godfather are all cowboy camping on a ridge overlooking Palm Springs. Tomorrow we head into the town of Idyllwild for showers, laundry and delicious town food.