Campground to cabazon - 19.1

Total - 209.5

I think last night was the first night I perfectly pitched my tent where all lines were at perfect tension. But it was so fucking cold. I think it got below freezing and when that happens you have to sleep with your water filter or it was I’ll crack and you will get giardia. I think my quilt is a tad too small length wise as well bc my shoulders are always cold. I had all my layers on, two pairs of pants, beenie over my face with a double layer gaiter over that and my sleeping quilt liner over my head and I was still cold. Slept alright but I woke up multiple times trying to get warm. Got up and out of bed and packed for sunrise and the 6500 feet of elevation loss. Brutal day to say the least. Gorgeous views but I couldn’t stop thinking about how much my feet fucking hurt. I think I’m big bear lake I will have to go up a size because of the swelling (which is completely normal when you have 40 pounds on your back walking 20+ miles a day). But every morning it’s a little bit harder to put on my shoes so I think I will have to upgrade. The last 4 miles were brutal once again and I felt like we were delusional. I was cutting deals with everyone so when I got to the water source I wouldn’t have to filter my own water and I could just sit. Then came the worst of the day. The walk to the highway was 2.5 but we were walking in a wind farm where it was blowing 40 mph winds and we were walking right into it. I was getting tossed like a rag doll. My right side hurts so much from bracing against the wind. The only thing on my mind was my resupply nox that my mom packed with love (thank you so much) and in and out burger. Once we got to the underpass it was like god welcomed us into a blast free zone. We still only had in and out on our minds so we ordered a Lyft to the post office and then the burger joint. I had one double double with animal fries while all the guys got two double doubles with fries. Should’ve gotten the second one and I regret it for sure. Best burger I’ve had in awhile just bc I was so hungry. Then we headed to nipseys place which is a trail angel who hosts hikers. She has beds in her back yard, like full blown beds with memory foam as a mattress. I got the biggest nicest bed and I’m fully stoked on it. We then got to take showers which was very much needed as I was DISGUSTING. I had dirt on every inch of my body. Everytime I go to wash my hands, I never get all the dirt off. My hands haven’t been clean even after 4 washes today and a shower. Nails are disgusting, looks like I’ve been diggin through dirt looking for worms. But after the shower I felt great (besides the hands). Calen and I agreed to get uber eats (tax return just got back) as it was buy one get one free so we got two large pizzas and ripped through those with mark and Scotty. We’ve lost some people in the trail family as Christian wanted to slow down and reroute had a horrible day yesterday. She had tweaked her ankle but it was on the mend but around mile 8 yesterday she got lost and went up the wrong side trail which takes you to an even worse snowy area than what we experienced. She apparently fell and almost fell down the steep edge but caught herself with her poles. She was super shaken up which makes sense bc the snow made the hike truly terrifying so she found a friend and went back down to idyllwild at saddle junction. She decided to fly back home for a few days and be with her husband and then get back on trail and skip San Jacinto as it is a stupid fucking mountain. Anyone who tried to play off that the snow wasn’t bad is stupid. It’s better to be safe then sorry and you needed spikes for the descent for sure and everyone who said on FarOut we didn’t is so rude. It’s sad to see the person youve hiked with since day one have such a horrible day and be shaken up about it. I hope to meet up with her in the future as she was the first friend I made on trail. One strong lady for sure.

Also sorry for all the grammer and misspelled stuff on here. I really couldn’t care less to reread and fix them or try after a long day…or even a short day honestly. Hopefully you guys can follow along and understand my thoughts.