4/12/20, mile: 226, elevation: 3,130 ft.
So to add to the icing of the worst campsite I’ve chosen, I’ve now had the worst night’s sleep. With the wind doing it’s thing (bashing the tent to-and-fro) along with the wind noise, there was little sleep to be had. I contemplated getting up and hiking, but it was just too miserable, I was tired, and my knee needed rest.
When I started hiking yesterday, I did some lower back and hamstring stretches. Amazingly, it seemed to help a little. I’ll have to keep this up and see how it progresses.
I waited for sunrise to try to get some of the moisture off the tent, so it wasn’t the earliest of starts. But I’m glad I didn’t try to camp further down the trail; there wasn’t a spot to be had. I had used all my water, so no coffee or oatmeal for breakfast. I’d just get it at the Whitewater River, about 4 miles away. Just a Clif Bar in the tent for breakfast. Hey but halfway in bed, that’s a positive, right? No, I had to open the wrapper myself.
Just as I finished the last decent to the river, I met Dave and his relative (whom I can’t remember her name, sorry!). We had a great conversation about the trail, being outdoors, the current situation with the virus and careers. Dave, I hope you get more opportunities to get out on the trail. And I hope you both find the perfect partners for getting outside more.
Due to the recent snow and rainstorms, the river was very cloudy. Or is it always like this, hence the name? I was desperate enough to filter a liter through my bandana and then the water filter, but I was really afraid of it getting clogged. By the time the trail left the river, I decided to use my iodine. It’s adds a flavor, requires some waiting, but this was the last water for the next 6 miles (my next camp). In this new-found heat and I was already dry, this had to be done.
After this, the trail climbs and zig-zags. From here on out, it’s pure desert with little shade. A couple of miles in this stretch, I catch up to Matthew! He’s just jelling on the side of the trail resting and eating. We spent some time catching up on the wind/rain situation last night (his tent broke, so he packed up and hiked in the middle of the night to the Whitewater River!).
Soon, we were off again, and the trail climbed for the last time today. Once on top of the terrain, it was rolling terrain that reminded me of areas around Virginia City, NV, only no motorcycle tracks. Looking back where I came, the sight was quite magnificent. Snow capped San Jacinto in the distance, the marine layer still fighting to get to Palm Dessert, and a little peak of the Whitewater River. The final descent down to Mission Creek was nothing like coming down Fuller Ridge, but the flowing water was just teasing….it’s so far.
The sandy camping area reminds me of my canoeing and camping trips on the Lower American River. The water was nice and clear and very tasty. A new-to-me hiker named Falcon showed up. He was telling me stories of his tramily and their adventures, including taking 2 weeks off in a Chico walnut orchard to get out of the weather and to allow a couple of folks to heal. They’re currently spread out on the trail, he leading the way. Speaking of tramily, Matthew never showed up. Curious. I hope all is well.
The day was long, I was dehydrated, and my knee is still acting up (not as bad as before). I’m starting to get worried. This isn’t sustainable. Not just the knee pain, but continuing on under shear determination. But I also need to remember that things like this don’t disappear overnight, especially when still using the injured body part, and the mind is most certainly affected by the body. It’s just so hard to stay positive when I don’t feel my strongest and the upcoming days on the trail include washed out sections, more elevation climbs, and more hiking in snow. And then my attempt at hobo spaghetti pretty much fell flat. Disappointing to say the least. I need sleep.
Savior out.