One Mountain To Another
After another rough morning breaking camp in extreme wind high on Fuller Ridge, this time with a cold mist thrown in, I fled down the trail in search of warmer climes. And down it went – 15 miles of continuous switchbacks dropped 6,000 feet, all the way to San Gorgonio Pass and the lowest point on the California section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Easy walking except for a thick, brushy, burned-over area, where apparently my umbrella got ripped off my pack without me realizing it – bummer.
In the afternoon I crossed four-lane Interstate 10 and found three coolers underneath the overpass with ice, drinks, and fresh fruit for PCT hikers. Then it was on up into the San Gorgonio Mountains, past a couple miles of scenic windmills, to my camp in a little canyon. Altogether 24.3 miles today, my longest yet!
Vjera and I “enjoyed” similar wind at Malheur, where winds of 20-30 were blowing snow and ice pellets over us as we tried to bird the refuge. We fled to Fields through a snowstorm at Roaring Springs. Glad we are not hiking in it ! I hope you are seeing some wildlife besides other hikers.
Some soggy hiker in the near future is going to thank you a thousand times for leaving your umbrella just where it was needed most!