Last nights tent site was very windy, but sheltered, so it did not affect us more than the sound. Packed up, ate breakfast and hit the trail at 7:10. As we were setting up camp last night, we met another hiker named Charlie, who set up his tent next to us. He set out with us this morning.
We continue along beautiful sections, a Trail with outstanding views
We started to get to some fairly good slopes, snow covered and icy, so we stopped to put on our micro spikes
After crossing this snowfield, I stopped to video crew coming across. They were followed by another group us hiking behind us.
We have progressed up out of the snow and are back along another ridgeline looking back at the area traversed this morning
The snow fields returned. After lunch, we continued hiking through established boot tracks on snow
Two days ago, San Jacinto seemed so far away and yet here it is directly in front of us.
We continued climbing uphill from saddle Junction to 9068 feet And then began descending towards strawberry Junction, our campsite.
We ran into Charlie, who had separated from us earlier at the top. He wanted to continue hiking on with us, and we were happy to have him. We started down a very steep, slushy side slope to track, and eventually found a water source outside of our campsite. We filled up there. Notice the incredible icicles hanging down in the bushes.
We passed the San Jacinto wilderness signs and arrived to our campsite at our latest time yet, 7:15. We had a full 12 hours of hiking. Our site on the mountain was above the clouds in the valley below.
As I set up my tent. I had a beautiful view of the sunset, poking through the trees.
Today was by far the most challenging. Technically there were times when comfort levels were definitely pushed. It was also the funnest day for me.
I finished making dinner in the dark ate in my tent for warmth.
Today’s miles 12.4 Total trail miles 384.0.
(PCT mile mark 183.3 due to Flip completion of 200.7)
