Thursday, April 22, 2021
Miles: 21.4
Elevation gain/loss: 5020’/4941′
Start: Campsite 4.5mi beyond Mike’s Place
End: Highway 74/Idyllwild
I was up at 4:05am and on trail at 4:55am. It was misting for the first few hours and very overcast. It was also cold (38) and windy. I made it to Mary’s Place at 9:25am, where I filled up on water to get me the remaining 6.5 miles to the highway.
I arrived at 11:50am. Once at the highway, I tried hitching for maybe 5 minutes before I decided it would be easier to hitch from the Cafe. So I walked the 1 mile trail down to the Cafe. Once I got there, I found at least a dozen PCT hikers on the patio. Two of them were getting picked up by a local friend, Mo; one of them checked in with me, gave me some candy, and then offered to give me a ride back to Idyllwild with them. I quickly agreed and they dropped me off at my motel half an hour later.
I did my town chores, including picking up a new pillow at the outfitter since mine has been going flat 3-4 times a night for my entire trip. My 7-8 year old pillow has lived a good life, for sure. I also bought some guylines and 2 stakes to further stabilize my tent, because it’s been acting like a large kite in the wind. Hopefully, these things should make an improvement on the rest of my hike. I did my resupply at the grocery store and bought more town food than I’d meant to, but I ate most of what I couldn’t finish for breakfast the next day.
I enjoyed a quiet evening in my room and even had a nice warm fire in the fireplace.
Transcending Mountains 