Day 16
Start: I-10
Finish: Mission Creek
Daily Mileage: 15.4
Trip Mileage: 226.2
A fantastically warm and dry night and slept well. Got going when I woke up because it was going to be another hot day and I was at low elevation and I wanted to get as many miles in as I could before the temperature spiked.
I started my stroll past a wind farm that seemed more under construction that in operation. There are also a fair number of retired wind turbines around here.
The trail then turned up a valley and did some actual climbing. Like the grade was a bit steep at times unlike the PCT. It was great to get some good old fashioned steep trail in, but I did have to pause a couple times due to the large food and water load I was carrying.
I got to the top of a pass and was dripping sweat with my shirt soaked through, as would be a repeating pattern today. There was actually a large bush up there to hide in the shade under which was fantastic to take in the views of the next set of mountains.
From then on, the rest of the day was largely defined by flowers. One whole arm of the mountain was yellow with miniature wildflowers blooming, and there were so many different colors and types of flowering plants and bushes it was quite spectacular. You could even smell the fragrance of the area in the air which is a feat with my typically crusty nose in the desert.
The trail came to the Whitewater River and walked along its flood plain for a while. The sand was bright white and the heat became oppressive out in the open. I told myself that I had to keep moving until the crossing of the river when I could get more water. It was a challenge, and I was starting to flag when I finally got to the crossing. It was a quick ford and I took shelter in the smallest of shadows of the river bank for a break and to wait for Justice to catch up.
After a good break, we only had 6 more miles to reach our target for the day. It was 80 degrees and hot, but since there was plenty of time to do that mileage regardless, I just set a slow and steady pace to not sap my energy too quickly and still make forward progress. I did hide under bushes a couple times because I could.
I bumped into a day hiker on the trail who said “isn’t the trail closed ahead?” I was well aware that the trail ahead was washed out last year and told him, “yes, but there are a couple ways around it, and challenges like that are part of a thru-hike”
I reflected on that afterwards, and it really got me in the thru-hiking spirit. Today was a hot day with only 2 water sources over 15 miles. There is plenty of time in the day to manage that and make it work. The trail ahead will be quite challenging with an off-trail scramble followed by traversing feet of snow at 8,000 feet. I am looking forward to that because it will be a fun, unique experience that I could never really relay. I am out here taking the weather, snow, water, etc. in stride as I have to if I will ever be able to finish this journey. It will not all be sunshine and rainbows, but a mix of those and moments of despair, fear, worry, and tears. That is a thru-hike. You have your highest highs and lowest lows, and those could even be in the same day.
I cruised onwards empowered by knowing that I have this no problem. I just have to take it one step at a time and I will get wherever I wish to go.
Back in reality, the trail ascended to a ridge and actually followed the crest for some time, which I think was a first for this trail. There were 360 degree views of the surrounding terrain with snowy mountain ranges on either side of me, and me baking in the desert sun between them.
Down to Mission Creek where we had been planning to spend the night. The creek flooded last year during a hurricane which wiped out some of the trail and widened the stream bed. I shortly got to the campsite we were planning to stay at, and it wasn’t really there. It apparently disappeared in the flood. I could only find one flatish spot to pitch my tent, but there was a tree for Justice to use with his hammock.
I hid from the sun for the rest of the day, but the sun went behind a ridge early to allow me to escape from my sheltering tree.
When Justice arrived, I proposed that his trail name be Cookie Monster since he wears a blue shirt and carries a one gallon ziplock bag full of cookies. He liked it and accepted.
A low key night with much needed respite from the sun and flowing water to boot.
Today was a fantastic day of hiking. The sun was a challenge, but it set the tone and pace for the day; it did not disrupt it. And it is what made possible the gardens of spring flowers and desert aroma. Hard to beat the day.
