Idylwild

After 11 days, I’m taking my first zero. No major injuries, but feeling worn out, particularly after pushing the mileage the past couple of days. One thing I didn’t account for was the off trail hiking. Yesterday was a 1.5 mile trek of trail to refill water from a spring (with a lovely sulfur smell) and another 2.5 miles hiking into town from Saddle Junction pushing the total to over 20. It has also been the highest point of the trail so far, climbing to above 8300 feet.

The section before Idylwild was pretty sketchy, with multiple downed trees, steep drop offs, and high winds. There’s a rockslide blocking the trail around mile 172.5 that has to be navigated with a rope. Fortunately, most of the snow has melted off the steeper trail areas. I ended up taking the Tahquitz Valley alternate trail to Saddle Junction which was much better maintained.

I’m planning on toning it down a bit over the next few days, but should make Big Bear by next week.