Day 17: Mile 210- Ziggy and the Bear

Yesterday we were on top of the world, prancing around atop the San Jacinto Mountains, traversing areas of snow, gazing through a canopy of towering pines and enjoying the cool satisfaction of the abundant mountain springs... That was just yesterday, a simpler time, a better time. Now we're back in the desert, and it's super hot.

We left Idyllwild and climbed back up the Devil's Slide Trail to get back into the mountains. It was a slow day after our first full zero day. We had planed on going only a meager 13 miles, but that was cut short once we again heard from our friend Bobby, who said he was in the area... and that he was hiking in beer. So we made it about 6 miles before setting up camp and having a few beers around a nice fire.

The next day we headed down. We had heard a lot of horror stories of Fuller Ridge, the first stage of our descent, where in high snow years people have gotten lost or even died. Lucky for us, its been a pretty tame year snow wise and we got down without a hitch. After that came a tedious 15 mile trek down 6000 feet to the base of the mountain and boy did the weather change quick. It wasn't long before the desert species started to appear again and the heat started kicking in. I'll say again, downhill is worse than uphill, especially when you're without water and the sun is baking you. But after a few run ins with a couple rattle snakes and being attacked by the swarm of bees who apparently ambushed many hikers like me, I finally made it to the water fountain waiting at the bottom. It nearly brought a tear to my eye. We spent the night there. It was a warm night and after the hard day we had I slept like a baby.

This morning we set out early with the plan to walk 5 miles to the home of trail angels Ziggy and the Bear, where Jesse would pick up a package he had waiting and then we'd continue on. We are at Ziggy and the Bear's now, we got here a little before 10am and its now after 3pm and there is no sign of movement. That's because holy shit is it ever hot. The idea of walking through the desert in 40 degree heat isn't so appealing when you're sitting in a comfy chair under a shade tent getting a complimentary foot bath enjoying cold drinks and abundant snacks. Plus we aren't alone, there are about 25 of us who've been bumming around all day. We are going to try and drag ourselves away once it gets cooler, if that ever happens. But until then we are going to keep enjoying the company of our fellow hikers, the shade of our tent and the generosity of Ziggy and the Bear. Now I'll actually talk to you in Big Bear.

Happy Trails,
Mike