PCT Map Miles 151.8
Miles Hiked 99.1
Elevation 4,792 feet
Miles Hiked Today 15.1
I was on the way by 7 AM. The goal is to get to Paradise Valley Cafe. I will never make it by their 3 PM closing time, so the plan is to camp nearby tonight. Paradise Valley Cafe or PVC is a popular hiker hangout near Idyllwild.
However, my more important need is water. The last water I got was yesterday morning. There are no viable, clean water sources until Mary’s Tank.
The trail as usual went up. It was rather uneventful until I reached Mary’s Tank at noon. I was surprised to see so many hikers there. Mary, who owns a house nearby and manages the water tank, really has a nice oasis there for the hikers. There are two picnic tables, a tarp over the tables for shade and of course the water tank.
I hung out awhile at the water tank and ate lunch. Then I needed to get going. My destination was about 7 miles away, and the trail was still going up. After awhile, you wonder how the trail designers managed to keep the trail climbing.
I reached the PVC cutoff from the trail at 5 PM. Comments in my navigation app said there was good camping near PVC – WRONG! Everything was overgrown. Nevertheless, I was able to find a spot. I’m a half mile walk to PVC tomorrow. I’ll be there for breakfast.
Oh! Almost forgot. I passed the 150 mile PCT mark late this afternoon.
