Mile 187.5 Near the North Fork of the San Jacinto River to Near I-10 Mile 207 (June 5, 2025)
I had a good night and was ready for the day. I had a plan and was excited to get going. I was going to breeze down the hill and meet my friend Jane at the bottom. I was sure I could make it by 6:30 or 7pm. I didn’t think it would be easy – all downhill can be painful – but I was sure I could do it. Also adding to the challenge was being fully loaded with water as there were no water sources until the end. By the way… this was the exact morning that I decided I needed to buy a camp pillow when I got to town. My face just doesn’t agree with the material of my Big Agnes Rapide SL sleeping pad.
My enthusiasm quickly turned to a bit of frustration as I realized I was not on trail and it took me about 20 minutes to figure out how to get back on. I had run into a major blowdown with debris and took the detour trail made by hikers. This lead to nowhere instead of back to the trail so I was just standing in the middle of a group of trees on pine needles – no trail to be seen. I used the map on FarOut to get back on track. I hate wasting time like that – especially in the morning when I’m feeling good and have a lot of energy.
The rest of the first part of the day was awesome. So beautiful and easy hiking – mostly flat with some ups, and slightly technical terrain (baby stuff compared to what would come later).
My first stop of the day was at a car accessible campsite. I met another hiker. Her name was also Rachel. She hiked the PCT last year but wanted to come back and finish some of the parts she had missed. She is a seasonal air traffic controller in ANTARCTICA! Yep, that is correct. Wild. She eventually caught up to me (I left first) and we hiked together for a short way. She was very kind and funny.
After that campground the terrain quickly changed from beautiful, shaded, piny forest to fully exposed, sun soaked desert. At first it was ok, but as the day went on it was brutally hot. It didn’t matter much that it was downhill. I still thought I would be able to get down in good time – but oh how wrong I was.
Not only was it exposed and hot but eventually it became quite technical! I couldn’t believe it. Three major issues that caused my normally slowish pace to come to barely a crawl. It was a LONG day.
One bright spot was when I reached mile 200. It felt good! I had cell signal so I was able to share the accomplishment with my family and it was so great to get their positive feedback. Other than this, the remainder of the day was miserable.
Throughout the day I was keeping Jane updated with an ever changing ETA. Every subsequent text I sent her had a later and later time. I was exhausted and running a bit low on water. But, I knew Jane was going to be there for me and that kept me focused and hopeful.
The sun was gradually setting which gave me relief from its heat, but robbed me of its light. My strength was also shutting down. Finally, the finish line was in sight. I sent Jane a final and definite ETA and where she could meet me. There is a street just off of the trail where cars have access to. Eventually, I needed to put on my headlamp.
As I was coming off the mountain, Rachel who I had met earlier, had her tent set up and was sitting outside. She cheered for me when she saw me and congratulated me for getting through such a tough day.
My energy level surged! I was marching down the trail (which by this time had turned into a road walk) as if I was holding batons in a marching band, dancing in the street, high stepping and pumping my trekking poles in the air. “GIVE ME A J!!” “GIVE ME AN A!!” “GIVE ME AN N!!” “GIVE ME AN E!!” “What does that spell?!?!?!” “JANE!!! JANE !!! JANE!!!!!!!!” I yelled in a whispered scream (there was a neighborhood nearby so I couldn’t be too loud.)
Finally, I made it. I could rest. There is a famous bench outside of a PCT supporter’s home. I sat down, uncertain if I could get up again. Ha. I looked at my phone and waited. It was dark – but the moon was out. Very shortly, Jane pulled up! A joy explosion may be the best way to describe what happened next. There was laughter and hugs and video taking and helping me get my stuff in the van and offers of ginger ale. God is so good – supplying me with such kind and selfless friends. The ginger ale was the best I had ever had. She took me to Taco Bell – so good. She then took me home where I met her parents – so kind and loving. I got a much needed shower….and crashed.