Journey Day 16 | PCT Day 16

Silhouette looking back at California Crest

5/2/85

We began the day wet and cold, huddled uncomfortably against a rock. A fall I’d taken during our fruitless search had torn scratches in one thigh and imbedded prickers in all my clothing.

As soon as it was light enough, we found our way back to camp and burrowed deep into our badly missed sleeping bags. Awoke as the sun baked away the morning. Ate feeling more dragged out than ever and prepared to hike into more snowy passes.

Four Californians hiked upon us. They told us how they’d been lost as early as Campo, skipped north from San Felipe to Idyllwild and just hiked from there that morning after dumping tents and food. Also a Walkman with external speakers. Their mega-laced language, Coors beer and refreshed attitudes were entertaining. They stumbled off into the snow, not heeding our directions. We started out soon afterward, hiked hard to Fuller Ridge through snow. Made it part way along a ridge near San Jacinto, where we stopped. Camped looking at the mighty peak, but a loud hum from below (possibly I-10) killed the silence of being truly in nature.

Bowels somewhat uneasy. Drank some water unfiltered while stranded last night. Early crash hopefully will be the cure. Tomorrow we have to hike “megafast” to make the Whitewater Canyon  Post Office before it closes, or we have to wait until 8 a.m. Saturday.

Hopefully it’ll work out like Anza. My tent, rain pants should be waiting for me. It’s a long way down after five action-packed days in the San Jacintos.

Despite the wildness of our lifestyle the past 15 days and the natural surroundings most immediate to us, it is becoming apparent that you can never get too far away from people in Southern California. Smog’s purple haze outlines the horizon as we look off the mighty peaks of the San Jacintos. Idyllwild, Lake Hemet and the “Plastic Paradise,” Palm Springs, sprawl below. Helicopters making marijuana and border patrols buzz overhead. Fighters scream out of nowhere to interrupt silence. We went four days before seeing anyone, but the realities of living in structured society remain ever present or lurking in the background, occasionally reminding you that you’re still part of it.