PCT 2022| CALIFORNIA | DAY 13 mm131.5 to Paradise Valley Cafe
Miles Hiked: 21.3 miles
Elevation: 2948 ft ascent | 2893 ft descent
Lizard + Snake water, Mary’s Place, and first 20+ mile day!
The morning started off cool and it was mostly downhill for the first nine miles (always a plus for me). I quickly got into a rhythm and felt the miles pass by. There was only one good water source today: Mary’s Place at about 14 miles. There were two others as well: Tule Spring (0.3 miles off trail) and the Concrete Cistern (complete with added nutrients of dead lizard and live snake). I had enough water that I did not need to go to either.
By the time I reached mile 12.5 where I had planned to camp…it was 1230. I’m all for stopping early in the day, but not in the desert when there is no water. I decided to continue on to Mary’s Place (a wonderful trail angel who has transformed part of her property into a hiker oasis with a water tank, shade, picnic tables, and a library). I set out my tyvek, took off my shoes, ate lunch, and refilled my water. It’s still only 1400. Time to make some more miles: Paradise Valley Cafe.
I ended up making it to PVC by 1800. I had planned to camp there and get breakfast in the morning, but an AirBnB was calling. I got a ride from Grumpy and made it to Idyllwild in time to order a burger and onion rings. Next up: double zero.
Most miles per day so far: 21.3 (previously 19.7)
