A few days ago, we reached the 100-mile mark (wooooo!!!!!!) and have now come nearly 200 miles through the heat of the Southern California desert. It has been surprisingly beautiful country – not what you think of when someone says “desert.” But it has been extremely hot during the day (95+ degrees) and cold at night (in the 30s). We’ve had some hard days and some long 20-mile stretches without water sources on the trail. Climbing into the San Jancinto Wilderness was especially difficult (but stunningly beautiful), as we reached 8,000 feet altitude with steep climbs and descents along cliffs with 100+ foot drops.
On Day 12, we made it to mile 179.4 and the wonderful mountain town of Idyllwild and are taking a much needed “Zero Day” here (a day when you don’t hike at all). Thank you SO much to Reina, who opened her beautiful home to us dirty hikers for a bed and a shower. On Sunday, we’ll hike on toward Big Bear City.
The 100-mile mark!!!
Dusk in the desert
Plodding…
Grady (one of our hiking buddies) on Eagle Rock…being an eagle.
Some of the exotic wildlife on the trail
Trail Angel Mike gave us water… and breakfast burritos!!!
If only all of the trail’s perils were so neatly labeled…
Water caches along the trail can be literal life savers
Some of the views
It can take a lot out of you to get over a tree in the middle of the trail. Especially after climbing 2,000 feet in the heat…
Desert mountain views
Hazel, the resident cat at Reina’s house in Idyllwild!
Damn, the desert looks beautiful. You guys are rocking it, and it’s inspiring to see your updates. Can’t wait to see where you go next.
Wow! You are making good time. Glad you are having sense enough to rest one day a week. Instead of coming to see you in Tahoe, where you have friends, how about if we wait until you are in the middle of Oregon. We can stay in Eugene and hook up with you to take you out for a dinner or something. All is well here. Love, Mom & Dad
“Think that you can and you will, it’s all in the state of your mind!”…….wow what a couple! Not sure what I ate while I was pregnant with you Ashleigh but it certainly created quite an incredible daughter! Be inspired by the wonder of the natural beauty around you! Grandpa would be so proud of you and think you were “made of the right stuff!” Hope your pillow is soft at the end of the day and St. Christopher is with you both each step of your journey together.
Always with love and delight,
MOM
xox
I was just in Idyllwild and saw hikers going by. Nice town to have your rest break. Sorry to have missed you. Again, your photos are great.
Duke
Awesome work guys! I’m getting excited for your pass through my area! Looks like Sierra Nevada snowpack levels are WAY below average, which is excellent news for you. This website has the data:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/sweq.action
The southern region of the Sierra is currently at 7% of average snowpack on April 1 and 9% for today’s date (5/8). The central and northern regions are slightly higher, but still significantly below average.
Anyways, keep kicking ass!
You guys are doing SO WELL! I’m SO PLEASED!! And the Angels – which I had absolutely NO IDEA about – are completely AMAZING and fascinating!! I have a request, though, because maybe I’m a bit daft, but can you put dates in your posts? I’m not entirely sure when things are being written…posted…achieved…and I would really like to know for the things I’m sending in the mail to you at your mile marked locations. Would that be possible? KEEP HAVING A BLAST!!! KEEP POSTING!!! YAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!! (P.S. Maru video #3…) XOXOX Lyd