PCT Day 17: Tent site Mile 175.4 to Tent site Mile 187.5 near the North Fork of the San Jacinto River (June 4) Decision!

I woke up laughing, almost. I had survived. Everything was a little damp, but in general, in good shape, including me.

I got ready to go and hit the road. Again, I had a good attitude, which I felt like was an accomplishment considering the night previous. I had thought that I would need to go into Idyllwild again to get settled. But, I took a look at FarOut (an app that contains the PCT map and guide for water sources, towns and supply points, etc.) and decided to forget that. I would go down to Interstate 10 all in one shot. It was over 20 miles. My longest day so far. But, according to the elevation maps, it was all downhill – plus I knew that my friend Jane would come and get me when I got down to the bottom. I could do it. I could make it.

It was a beautiful day – a welcome switch from the night before. The wilderness there was so… what I think of when I think of a forest. Huge pine trees, pine needles covering the path, amazing views.

Before lunch I got a great surprise. As I was passing the intersection for the path that leads to Idyllwild – Gina! Gina had zeroed down there and was on her way to climb Mt. San Jacinto. It was so good to see her and to be able to hike a little together.

At lunch I set out my wet things to dry – some clothes and my tent.

I had excellent water sources that day. Mountain water that was very accessible and tasted delicious. At the end of the day I came to my final water source for over 20 miles – the North Fork of the San Jacinto River. It had plenty of rushing water. At that time my water set up was two 2 liter water bladders that I stored in the large pouches on both sides of my pack, and a 1 liter drinking bottle with a flip cap. Unfortunately, after filling my drinking bottle it fell – far – down onto the rocks and into the river! Somehow I was able to retrieve it – but alas – the flip top broke and had popped off somewhere. There was no way to close the bottle. But, in my mind’s eye I thought I could see where the top came off. I looked and I found it. I tried to snap it back into place. It wouldn’t stay because it was bent out of shape by the impact of the fall. I NEEDED this bottle. It was my only drinking bottle – I needed it especially tomorrow when I knew I would be in the sun all day. So, I fixed it. I got out my mini knife from my fanny pack and cut away the damaged part and reshaped it. It fit again, but it wouldn’t stay on. Time for duct tape. Voilà. Fixed. Done. Just that one neglectful second caused me to lose over a half hour of precious time as I still wasn’t quite to my tenting spot for the night. That duct taped drinking bottle was an excellent visual representation of how I was feeling, and of how I was functioning as a hiker.

It was a beautiful sunset as I was finishing setting up camp around 8 o’clock. The next day was going to be a huge day and I needed all the rest I could get.