New Valley Hills

I’m taking a rest day in mountain town Idyllwild. After 12 days sweating through the desert we are transitioning to the first big mountain section for the next 6-7 days. The San Jacinto trail section will take us to 8300ft with hopefully some great views and cooler temperatures. If we take the side quest to the summit it’ll be 10800ft. Trail reports reveal lots of fallen trees to clamber over, meagre water sources a long walk off trail, though thankfully little snow left and benign weather reported for the next 10 days.

Since day 1 I’ve been walking with Daniela from Germany. Our similar approaches to pace have meant we’ve covered 151 miles with little injury. 7 days ago in Julian I invited Selvi to walk with us. Since then we’ve travelled together. We like each other’s company, laugh a lot together at camp, though largely walk alone to recharge our social battery and enjoy the solitude in the beautiful surroundings.

The rate of attrition among hikers is high. Since we started we lost Scott before mile 2, JamieG before mile 100. Juliet, Enya, Kayleigh all took time off trail for foot and blister issues from ill -fitting footwear. James pulled a calf muscle and needed 2 days rest to recover, Beth appears to have a major calf tear which may take her off trail. Brandon has severe Achilles tendonitis taking him home for at least 2 weeks.

I have twisted my usual ankle several times and am needing to care for it, though I’m still doing 10-15 miles a day. The most was 21 with the following days being just 10 to recover.

The high chaparral desert had more than usual rain this winter. It is like no other desert I’ve been in. The smells are of wild sage, rosemary, thyme and flowers. The sounds are of bees, hummingbirds and lizards. So much colour from blooms from trees, flowers and cacti.

We’ve seen one small rattlesnake on trail which I moved alone by nudging a sand pile against it. We heard one large angry one, off trail thankfully, that we swished by quickly.

There’s a lot to learn, how much food and water to carry – I’ve run out and carried to much, when and where to have lunch – shade in a valley or exposed at the top of a climb.

I keep asking myself, when will I feel like a thruhiker? Meanwhile, the sunsets are spectacular!