Day 10 – 1 Apr 19. Nero at Warner Springs

Today 12.4 km (7.7 mi), Total Distance 184.6 km (114.7 mi). 7 hours 40 minutes (0815-0900, 1600-1740)

I woke naturally as it was getting light but stayed in bed snoozing as I didn’t want to get to Warner Springs before it opened at 0900. Sitting in my tent I watched some Turkeys and Jack Rabbits in the meadow below.

I was on my way at 0815, heading back to the trail and then onwards. There was a section of deserty shrub and then the trail joined a stream and into a nice forested section. There were heaps of birds around. There were also a few day hikers heading to Eagle Rock.

I felt good and made really good time to Warner Springs, reaching the Community Centre right on 0900.

This was a really neat place. The local community run it for PCT hikers and the donations are used for community projects and charities.

On entering the building the host gave a really good briefing on all of the amenities which include, electronics charging area, camping area, toilets, bucket shower with warm water which includes towel and soap, clothes hand washing area, foot spa,, shop and a large space for hikers to hang out. They also do runs to the post office.

Hiker Boxes, leave what you don’t want, take what you need

Foot spa with Epsom salts for $3

I got my electronics charging, checked out the hiker box (place where hikers leave things they don’t need for other hikers), checked out the store for resupply and caught the 0930 shuttle to the Post Office which is one mile away.

At the post office my adapter to allow my USB cable to be used for USB mini arrived but my main package did not. I phoned the sender for a description but the Post Office staff could not find it and without a tracking number there is no way to find it. This package had my microspikes, maps and some breakfast drink powder.

I grabbed some chips from the service station and then got a ride back.

Unfortunately the restauant was closed so no hamburger.

The first thing I did was go to the caravan that was 2 Foot Adventures, a mobile camping shop with an excellent range at reasonable prices. I found repair kit for my mattress as I had used mine in Julian to fix the slow leak. I picked up some mosquito repellent and was looking at microspikes. I was considering whether to get replacements or to get crampons which I may need for the Sierras. The microspikes were much heavier than the ones I had in the post. I decided to go with the Grivel K10 Tramping Crampons. These can be used with soft shoes like mine and the spikes are in-between microspikes and full crampons in size. They are 200 g heavier than my microspikes but only 150 g heavier than the available microspikes. I also picked up a freeze dry meal for the next leg.

Now I went back to the Community centre and purchased my resupply. I had estimated it would take 4 days but there was still snow on some of the ridges before Idyllwild so allowed an extra days worth of food.

After repackaging all the food I just relaxed, talking with the other hikers. Some old faces were there and I met some new people. It was a fun morning/afternoon and the time seemed to go so quick.

At 1430 I packed up and at 1500 joined the vast majority of hikers taking up the School Fundraising offer of Spaghetti, Salad, Bread and a drink for USD 7. It was a large plate and I struggled to eat it all but it was really nice.

After the big meal I did a quick weigh in of my back before leaving. My pack with 1.5l water and 5 days of food weighed just under 12kg (26lb). This weight also included the half kg of crampons.

Very few people got their microspikes here, and Paradise Cafe would have been a good option, but the last reports from San Jacinto had mentioned icy conditions at Apache Peak and slippery on the descent from the ridge down to Idyllwild so I would rather have extra traction than not, even if it means carrying the extra weight.

I was back on the trail at 1600 and it started across some meadows. My entertainment was watching gliders from a nearby airfield take off, unhook and circle around for landing. I assume it was novices practicing. There was also a large bird that my have been a vulture.

The trail then entered an area of trees and meandered next to a dry river, passing a high rope course to an overbridged.

Dropping below the bridge there was a lot of water damage to the trail where the river had been high a few weeks ago. I did stop and check Guthook on my phone to confirm if the trail went up the river or to the side. It was meant to go on the left of the river so I turned up a side trail and saw the PCT marker.

Now it was a lovely walk in open, shrub and tree areas. I was feeling really good and had lots of energy after my lazy day and the big spaghetti meal. I was planning on walking for around 1.5 – 2 hours.

The trail crossed the stream and then started a steady climb that took around 40 minutes before dropping down to the stream again. On this section all the small streams across the trail were dry but there was a good flow at the main stream.

There was a large camping site with two ladies. I set up on a nice flat bit. They mentioned some more were coming and as they arrived I realised I had plonked myself in the midst of a genuine trail family. They all started the same day, the day after me, and were hiking together. There were 3 woman and 4 men at this campsite and because not everyone fitted a female and two men moved on to the next campsite nearby.

The evening was spent talking and they were really good about including me in everything which is unusual for a group with such a good bond. They were entertaining company and seemed nice all-round.
Some hikers walked past looking for a tent site well after it was dark.

Everyone drifted back too their tents just before 2000 and from the snoring some were asleep shortly afterward.

I did not have dinner as I was still full from the Spaghetti but had a few lollies. After typing my blog ad editing a few videos I went to sleep at my normal time just after 2100

Visits: 644