PCT Day 17 – Mission Accomplished

Before today, I could not have imagined that the southern PCT could be like this.

Yesterday, we passed under I-10 and entered the Sand To Snow National Monument. Not long after that we also entered the San Gorgonio Wilderness. We camped on the banks of the Whitewater River. This morning we are going to cross the Whitewater River and head toward Mission Creek, which we will spend most of our following.

To the river

As we emerge from camp, I see these showy white flowers. Lily-like, they about 6 inches across.

We slide our way down the muddy trail to the place where the trail crosses the Whitewater River.

This river reminds me of the ones I crossed in Washington. They are not wide or excessively deep, but they are fast! With good shoes on, standing against the current is not hard, if you lean into it.

But you are crossing the river! As soon as you lift one leg the river pushes against your raised leg, trying to send it downstream. You have to hold your raised leg in the current while feeling forward for a stable place to set it down. You balance on the other leg as the river pushes against it like a fire hose. Trekking poles help. Holding hands with another person also helps. We use these when can.

Here is Keith bracing himself against the current.

Lindsay, the gal we met at Mt. Laguna, has been waiting for someone to cross with. She does great and is here arranging her stuff on the other side of the river.

To Mission Creek

It’s about five miles to Mission creek. Its a circuitous path through sheltered canyons.

We are going higher now, and I believe I understand why the trail designers chose this winding path – we are going to do some ridge walking.

In the distance is San Gorgino, for whom this wilderness area is named.

It’s Sunday and I realize I have not taken my weekly selfie. I take a quick one on the trail.

Stream crossings

When we make it to Mission Creek, eight hikers are gathered on the bank under the shade of two trees. They are discussing strategies for how to navigate the Creek. It is not that the creek is so terrible, it is the route that the trail takes along the creek. Over the course of the rest of the day, we will cross the creek 31 times!

These crossings are not simple rock hops. The creek is swift with a deep center channel. Most crossing will require getting your feet wet. Wet feet promote blisters and nobody wants that. But can you really keep your feet dry all day without endlessly stopping to remove hiking shoes and socks to keep your socks dry?

Keith and I decide to just hike in wet shoes all day. It may mean blisters.

Here’s an example of what a crossing looks like. A slippery log helps with the main channel, but there are wet feet at the end.

Here is another log crossing. I feel like every time I film a crossing, I am going to witness a fall. But there were no falls today.

However, eventually Keith gets a blister on the back of his heel. Keith is getting to be a pro with blister care, and he treats it quickly.

On the brighter side…

Up to camp

We follow the creek all day up narrow canyons.

P-trail ahead between rocky ridges. We are so ready for camp. I need to get my shoes off and look at my feet.

But first, the beautiful.

And now the ugly.

My feet look like a cross between pickled pigs feet and the elephant man. Luckily there seems to be no blisters. I will let them air out over night.

We are truly worried about finding a camping spot. Hikers passing us from the north report that camps ahead are full of tents. We start looking for flat spots along the trail that might work as campsites.

When we reach our destination, our hearts sink. Tents are set up everywhere. I go to the very last location and find a miracle – on the far side of a big blow down is an area where we can fit two tents. We quickly set them up.

Tomorrow is another long day. But we are happy to have made it through this one. We never expected to be so wet in the desert. Tomorrow will be back to normal.

• May 20, 2023
• Starting marker: 218.5
• Ending marker: 235.5
• Miles hiked today: 17
• Total PCT miles: 206
• River crossings: 31