This morning I was quite comfy in my tent, and because today was only a small day, I didn’t rush out. I had ‘only’ to descend into the valley, and hike the last section up to Idyllwild. Somewhere between 10 and 15 miles. I chowed down the last of my breakfast (day before town-day the food-bag gets pretty empty) and got up.
As intended I didn’t head out onto the designated trail towards Idyllwild straight away, but I walked in the direction of the lake and its adjoining campsite. I asked a member of staff if it would be possible to have a quick swim and then be on my way again. Turns out that there is a ‘no-water-contact’ policy going on because there are no life-guards available to oversee the swimmers. No luck there, since I didn’t want to go and break any laws, be packed up into a box to be shipped off to Europe again. Or pay a big fine. Instead I opted for a second breakfast at the camping-shop. A 3000-calorie instant-diabetes-bomb is what I went for. Chugging down a slushie at 0845… Seemed okay.
As I was having a snickers-bar for dessert (sugar much?!) I saw a car pull out ready to head off the parking lot. I’d considered hitching back to the trail-head, but was in no rush, so I didn’t really bother. Somehow before my mind had properly processed, I’d already asked the guy in the pickup (who had his window rolled down, and looked at me curiously) if he was heading left, and if I might hitch a ride. “Sure, get in”.
Score.
We chatted a little bit and he dropped me off just in front of the trail-head, saving me hiking a bunch of non-PCT miles. Total hitches this trip: 3.
When walking towards Idyllwild I was brutally confronted with the fact that there’s hardly a thing as ‘easy miles’. With practically no wind it was burning up again in the basin, and where I’d hoped for a flat trail, it was still lots of steep ups and downs. At a junction, I was kinda lost on where to go, but friendly preceding hikers answered the question for me.
Around lunchtime I finally stumbled into Idyllwild, a lot more exhausted than I’d planned for. After a decent lunch I made way for the campsite. As I walked through the town, I kept on running into familiar faces. The majority of the thru-hikers seem to make a pit-stop in Idyllwild. And with good reason. It is a wonderful little place. It’s got everything to burn a massive hole in your wallet; cute little shops, great restaurants, live-music, quality supermarkets (after a couple of days eating trail-food, you will want to buy everything) and all of it surrounded by lovely pine forests and mountains. The buildings are all built in a winter-esque mountain-lodge-style, giving the whole area a very rustic appearance; I love it. Another great thing is that the town is very welcoming to stinky PCT-hikers.
After a very refreshing shower, I walked towards the cabin where Mark, Jimmy, Thad & Natalie are staying, to pick them up to get some dinner in town. We went to a place called the Lumber Mill. We sat down in the back of the restaurant where a guy was fumbling with a bunch of cables, setting up what looked like a small performance area. Turned out the restaurant also did Karaoke! He introduced himself and started singing a couple of songs. Of course then he started asking the people in the restaurant to participate. Sitting so close to the stage, obviously the 5 of us started pushing and teasing each other to give it a go after we would finish our meals. Natalie and I were game, and agreed that she’d go first. But by the time she was called onto the stage, she’d left the room, and I was the next in line… Based on the reactions in the crowd I believe I delivered a pretty solid performance of I want you back by the Jackson 5 (Footage available to the highest bidder).
Natalie sang after me, and that’s when the flood-gates opened and many other hikers gave it go. Several more people joined us at the table and as the evening passed we started having a blast with all the songs that were sung (also by other cool guests in the Lumber Mill). It felt pretty amazing to have such a great time with people I’ve only just met in the past 2 weeks.
Well the years start coming and they don’t stop coming
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
Didn’t make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb
So much to do, so much to see
So what’s wrong with taking the back streets?
You’ll never know if you don’t go
You’ll never shine if you don’t glow
Hey now, you’re an all-star, get your game on, go play
Hey now, you’re a rock star, get the show on, get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold
All Star – Smashmouth
