Idyllwild to San Jacinto

Mile 179.4 | Idyllwild, CA

I am at the Stillwater House Hostel. I absolutely love it. I got here and was at first uneasy about the situation it's pretty much a hiker bachelor pad but the homies there are extremely lovable and kind. It’s nostalgic and perfect and all you need for an amazing reprieve off the trail. Showers, laundry, well stocked kitchen and bathrooms and the rooms were nice even though I’m sleeping on the couch. It’s really comfy. Detour is running it and he’s an absolute go-getter who is coincidentally from CT! It feels meant to be that I came here, surprisingly the majority of the guests are from Connecticut. A French couple from Simsbury, CT a teenager from Hartford and a few other guests. The conversations are real and the people are so kind hearted. It's giving me a reflection into my judgments. I’m grateful for this time to learn from these individuals and expand outside my own preconceptions, ideas and creativity.

The walk from the hostel into town is about a quarter mile and it runs alongside a beautiful little creek lined with pine trees. Idyllwild is packed with artisan shops and great food. Nestled below the San Jacinto mountains. It is a mecca for creativity. We explored the shops and stocked up on fruits & veggies at the local farmers market. I'm making everyone Homemade pizza for dinner tonight!

I fell in love with Idyllwild my lil punk rebel self and inner child self feel at home here. Stillhouse Hostel will forever be a memorable detour. All super cool people. It’s 38 degrees right now about to dip in to the 22-25ºF range overnight and into the morning. I can get caught up in my headspace, but looking into the horizon reminds me why it is all worth it.

One Love. Connection. Sacrifice for a Better Future. A constant Process to Create your Destiny ✨

The hike up and out of Idyllwild and down San Jacinto mountain was the most painful couple of days on the trail. I strained my knee/quad on the steep hike up and my knee felt like it was going to give out every step down the 14.2 mile descent. I love that black and white photo though, it reminds me of my persistence and determination.

I am still terrified mountain lions are going to eat me and I am afraid of the dangers that lurk in the dark. The moon and stars are watching over me tonight. I go to sleep in fear most nights but wake up on the other side having made it through the night it feels worth it. The night sucks sometimes it’s super windy and unnerving. I made food in my tent so I feel like I’m now actually bait for mountain lions and bears. I have a wild imagination. I'm pitched on a slope which is the worst, but sometimes unavoidable. Usually you can find a good flat tent spot if you just look around and go a little further. On the bright side, at least it’s not freezing like last night - even though I kind of wish it was because I got an idea to make ice cream by letting my chocolate mousse with trail mix freeze overnight. My only ambition right now is to make it to the water tomorrow and try to heal my body.

Don't forget, if you would like to contribute to my personal fundraiser for Protect Our Winters to offset the cost of global warming. Take a stand now and support POW by visiting their website, or follow their initiatives on Facebook. If you would like to donate, Great!! Here's the link, https://classy.org/fundraiser/1276834 my goal is to raise $1 for every mile I hike on the PCT, a total of 2,660 miles. Thank you for rising up for the world and your future.