Journey report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
Fleeing Spring allergic reactions in British Colombia, I flew to Palm Springs.
The place to hike?
My first alternative was one thing on the Pacific Crest Path.
North to South so I’d meet through hikers headed the opposite path.
I rented a automotive on the Palm Springs airport and drove a few hours to the well-known PCT campground at Warner Springs.
The Warner Springs Useful resource Heart runs this campsite (by donation) as a fundraiser.
With over 40 tents stuffed with through hikers it’s an excellent place to get data and ideas. 😀
A fellow on the data desk advisable I return the automotive … then take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to start out the stroll to Idyllwild, probably the most common cities on the PCT.
I’d hiked out of Idyllwild in 2011 and liked the world. Sounded GREAT.
Excellent. I left a bag on the Useful resource Heart. I’d choose it up after I acquired there.
It was 5pm by the point I acquired on the Tramway. Late.
I took time to look at the video on Mount San Jacinto State Park.
There are greater than 50 miles of trails, best for hikers making an attempt to flee the Coachella Valley warmth 2640 toes beneath.
By the point I acquired to the Ranger Station, nevertheless, it was closed.
The closest campsite was Spherical Valley … so I crammed out the complicated paperwork as finest I might … and hustled off to get there earlier than darkish.
I really like mountaineering in California. It’s heaven.
Whoa. Although it’s 100F down in Palm Springs, there’s nonetheless a variety of snow up right here on April 11, 2019.
Signage is rustic. And minimal. (Maintain your map and apps helpful.)
A few of that rustic signage is close to buried.
I knew I’d reached Spherical Valley after I acquired to the lengthy drops. 🤔
I arrange the tent on the first clearing I discovered. Near the Ranger Station.
Although I’d not seen any animal tracks other than squirrel, I put my smellies in an Ursack. Bears are hungry within the Spring.
I cooked at 7:30pm. It was fairly darkish by 8pm.
