Mile 104 to 119

Eagle Rock

We wake with bags soaking with dew. Some mornings, sleeping out under the stars, there is a price to pay. We hike mostly down hill towards Warner Springs. Brian texts Dave we are running a little late. We stop at the iconic Eagle Rock, for the obligatory goofy pictures. The lighting is quite favorable.

We press on to the Warner Springs community resource center, which now looks like a MASH encampment for PCT hikers. There are chairs, showers, toilets, trash cans, cooked hot meals, computers and a hiker box. I claim a half empty ISO-propane canister, just enough to tide us over to Idyllwild.  The center is associated with the school, and we are told the WIFI password is stayinschool. I tell them it is a great message, but a lousy password, as it does not work for any of us. We burst open packs and spread everything out to dry. Dave arrives with our mailed resupply boxes and breakfast sandwich treats from Starbucks. After sorting food, getting fire permits, and using all the facilities, we press on.

On the trail we encounter a large group from the Northern County chapter of the Sierra Club. When they realize we are thru-hikers, they form a tunnel with their hiking poles, and cheer as we go through, as if we are 5 year old soccer players. It was fun, but I would have preferred the normal juice boxes and orange slices. As we continue on, Brian starts laughing and says, “What just happened?”

It is hot as we try to take the hill. We find a creek, make an early dinner, then hike when it is cooler. Wearing headlamps, we finally make our miles, and collapse in the dark.

Bri and Dave

Sierra Club Salute