Day 9

PCT 147- 166.6 (19.4 PCT miles) (+2.5 miles off trail)

Glorious morning = Paradise Valley Cafe.

We woke early to foggy weather and a 50 degree temperature drop from the previous day. We almost ran the 5 miles down to the trail toward Paradise Valley Cafe. A woman stopped us near the road and asked if we wanted a ride to the cafe and we said ‘no, it’s only a mile’ (silly, but we were brain dead). We arrived just as the doors were opening at 8:00 AM. Staff were so kind and gave us bathroom keys (REAL bathrooms). We both cleaned up as best we could and then enjoyed the BEST omelette and hash browns known to man. Rick even had a coffee shake. Great place!
After breakfast we filled ALL water bottles/reservoirs and left for the trailhead (no rooms at the inns in Idyllwild, so continuing on). A customer in the parking lot asked us if we wanted a ride to Canada and Chris, said no thanks, just the trailhead. With full bellies and better cognitive skills, we gladly accepted. We were hiking by about 9am.

The hike up was cool and comfortable. Saw a couple of young hikers running by (haven’t met them). We continued up and then the weather changed completely. Fog blew in and winds as high as 50 mph. Chris had a hard time staying upright - not joking. We had planned to stop at mile 166.6, spend the night, then go over the peak in the morning to mile 179 and take 2.5 miles Devils Slide route toward Idyllwild. However, within 18 hours Rick had switched from telling stories about the Chronicles of Riddick, where humans burn to death as the sun rises on the planet ‘Crematoria’ ..to..thinking about ice climbing possibilities on Sunday and Monday as a Gulf of Alaska storm is said to be sweeping into the area.

At the mile 166.6 turnoff to Fobes Creek Road (water) we met a group of three young hikers hunkered down out of the wind trying to decide if they should continue. Trail between 166 and 179 includes two hazardous zones (rock fall and where hiker slipped and died last year). Winds were so strong, temps in the 30’s and rain was starting, so we headed down Fobes.

Found an ok tent site about 1.5 miles down and 1200 ft lower as sky was darkening. Happy to be off the ridge and out of the 50 mph wind.
Will be heading down this road to Hwy 74 and will try arrange a ride to Idyllwild for our first zero and multiple showers!