(+2.5 miles up Cedar Spring Trail + 4.7 miles down Spitler Peak Trail)
I decided to bypass miles 168.7-190.6 due to my lack of mountaineering experience. I did hike through that section during my second thru-hike attempt in 2021, and with all the side trails I’m hiking, I’ve almost made up the miles already!
I climbed the 1300′ ascent via the side trail first thing in the morning, with no regrets. Shortly after rejoining the PCT, the trail climbed to a peak with stunning views of snowy mountains to one side, and barren desert mountains on the other.
As I officially entered the San Jacinto Wilderness the trail quickly became snowy, slushy, muddy, overgrown, and peppered with blowdowns. Those trail conditions continued down the PCT alternate trail, for awhile, until the snow turned into beautiful waterfalls, and lush moss and ferns crept over the rocks.
We shared dinner with several other hikers, and I was gifted a freeze-dried meal and Cotopaxi fanny back, all thanks to the generosity of Trail Angel Paul. I asked him if he was a TA in 2021, because I was gifted a similar freeze-dried meal when I hiked through the section I was bypassing. He said he remembered me, and then shared a picture of me that he had taken in 2021!
And just another reason camping with Tom is amazing – he finds sites with perfect sunset views!
