Day 11 – Monday, April 21

Made it to town a day early and I’m enjoying my first zero day in a cool little place called Idyllwild. The main reason I’m a little early here is that there is a section of the PCT which has been closed since July of last year due to a fire on Mt. San Jacinto between mile 162.5 and mile 178. The only real walking option is a dangerous highway road walk and it’s been reported by other hikers that the highway is a very twisty mountain road with zero shoulder, large drop-offs, blind corners and plenty of traffic. For me, I decided like most folks to hitch a ride into town. The road walk option just didn’t sound like an enjoyable experience for me. I wish I had more confidence in drivers out there, but I don’t.

So, here I am enjoying some good rest and food. This morning I ate breakfast at a little place called the Red Kettle Restaurant, which claims to have been visited often by both John Wayne and Elvis Presley. At breakfast, I also met Trail Angel Stacy who offered me and a couple of other hikers a ride back to the trail head in the morning leaving town at 6:30 a.m. I’ve already made my stop by the local outfitter here and picked up some new Dirty Girl Gaiters (already put a pretty big hole in the ones I started with)  and some fuel for cooking. I’m good to go for some more PCT desert hiking.

Below are a few photos leaving Warner Springs (breakfast at the Community Center) to Trail Angel Mike’s place.

Photos from Trail Angel Mike’s place to the Paradise Valley Cafe

I had a great mid-morning breakfast with some Green Sweet Iced Tea and music at the Paradise Valley Cafe. It’s a one mile road walk from the trail. Whitewater – Moving On!