We left the trail at the I 10, hitched to Beaumont and stayed the night in a motel. Four of us sharing a room – cosy 🙂 Back on trail eventually the next afternoon after resupplying for a six mile hike into the next wilderness section. Sad farewell to Margaret, a section hiker we had hung with since the San Jacintos. Windy, tricky to find a campsite but eventually found a place above a ravine.

The next morning the wind was gale-force. Nothing for it but power walking down to Whitewater River. Four miles (6.4kms) in 58 minutes. Beautiful to finally be walking up a river with water in it! And what a great feeling it was, no need to carry 4 liters of water in fear of running out. Another climb up and over and into Mission Creek where we witnessed the destruction caused by a huge weather event this February. We camped in a large sandy washed out area -perfect for the “Palace” our 3 person MSR Mutha Hubba tent.

Washout after washout, the torment of all other hikers except for us, “Hey, this is what tramping in NZ is like” – thru-hikers on the PCT get very used to continuous trail requiring zero navigation and find looking for the trail very difficult and slow. Eleven kilometers of creek crossing and eventually we began our climb up into the mountains again. Eventually we were met with snow again, this time without the need for our micro-spikes. Stunning terrain, gorgeous views, lovely camping.

A longish day followed, in fact our longest day so far. 28kms (17.5 miles). Three climbs and subsequently 3 descents on a very reasonable trail with stunning views found us camping within about 10 kms of the road to hitch the following day into Big Bear Lake. A couple of hours the next morning and we were hitching into town. Being Kiwis can be useful, even in America. We got a lift with Sam who’s niece is studying for her PhD at Otago University. He took us out for a lovely breakfast and shouted us, then drove us to our Hostel. Thanks, mate! A couple of hours later we had showered, done our laundry and were starting our zero day early :).

Happy Birthday Mumsy! 20th April 1930. Missing our Saturday morning coffees. Happy Birthday also to me, the luckiest 55 year old to be having this fantastic experience and loving it at my age!

Off tomorrow for our next section. About 100 kms to Rightwood for our next resupply.

After Zero’ing in Idyllwild we headed off from the Paradise Cafe road where we exited the trail. This 5 day section hadn’t been fully open since a fire in 2015 and another in 2017. Our goal was to climb up and over the Mt. Jacinto range. Our first snow section. Exciting!

Nice trail, gradual climb. Only 25 degrees. Great views. Nice campsite on a Ridge, not windy. A bit short of water but able to melt snow the following morning. Crossed our first snow bank. Amazing mountain trail with views to die for (some bits were pretty steep).

High winds, freezing cold campsite on a saddle, the only place to camp. The following day was spent with our microspikes on travelling over huge snow banks under a gorgeous pine forest. The following morning it was -3 degrees in the tent, -5 outside. Amazing!

We eventually left the snow and began our slow descent back to the desert. Another campsite overlooking the desert. Our final descent to the desert floor found us hiking in sand, high winds and 32 degrees.

What a difference this section was. A night in a motel with four of us sharing. Resupply in the morning after a hearty breakfast and off for another 5 day section to Big Bear.

Follow us on the journey as we slowly make our way from Mount Laguna past Julian towards Idyllwild and big snowy obstacle.

For Kiwi eyes only!

Ever since our arrival in San Diego I’ve been thinking about writing this blog post but thought the better of it as it may seem a bit anti-american. All that “flew” out of the window after being strafed a week ago crossing a saddle in a wilderness desert area. We had sidled up a valley and were just about to cross the saddle when an F18 fighter jet screamed out of nowhere above us. I could almost touch the wing with an outstretched pole. To say I nearly shit myself would be an understatement.

During our 3 days in San Diego, we were constantly flown over by fighter jets in a suburban area. In one 3 hour period, I counted 26 F-something-or-other jets flying overhead. Yes, I realise that there are 4 air-force bases around San Diego and Yes, I realise that they need to train and Yes, the US is big on the military. Sadly, for us at least, and likely for most Kiwis, this constant show of military force is absolutely daunting. It certainly gave the impression of a country constantly on a war footing.

Most Yanks on the trail accepted this as “normal” or gave numerous reasons as to why this was OK. Others did mention the gross waste of money, someone pointed out that there were 100,000 homeless just in San Diego. Apparently there are even more in San Francisco. Whilst hiking we’ve also been buzzed by Apache helicopters and even watched a pair of those propeller planes that swivel there props to land like helicopters.

For us this constant show of military might, especially in suburban areas has a number of unfortunate consequences; firstly it makes people totally comfortable with the “War machine” so that it’s expected and normal, secondly it gives a false sense of security that the populace is safe and protected. I now understand much better why Americans, even the liberally minded are blinded by the cost, both financially and emotionally, for their liberty and freedom.

Happy Trails…..more blogs coming 🙂

Here is, though late, a little video about the first days on the Pacific Crest Trail. Some of you may have seen it already – the desert doesn’t always do WIFI..so eventually we found an Internet oasis and I could upload it on the blog, too.

Enjoy! 😊

A volunteer at a visitor centre in Mt. Laguna explained that this area had the heaviest snow and highest rainfall in 12 years. This has caused a “super bloom” event similar to a mast year in NZ. Wild orange poppies appear in huge numbers on southern facing hills in the desert.I’ve seen plenty of video blogs from previous years but never imagined we’d be walking in what appears to be a very special year for the desert to be flowering soo much.Happy Trails!

We’d read the names on maps and heard them on hikers’ blogs but finally get to experience them first hand. Lake Morena, Mt Laguna and Julian, some of the famous spots on the first week. As luck would have it, the desert area we’ve hiked through had the highest rainfall in 10 years. The flowers which rarely blossom are out in full. The terrain is baron but beautiful. Sunsets and sunrises are surreal. The trail itself is no more difficult than the Catchpool valley walk.

Distances are no longer measured in kilometers (miles) but in water carries. Luckily some creeks still have water due to the high rainfall so we have more opportunity to refill. Water tanks are a blessing and become refuges for hikers to siesta at.

Happy trails!