Evan and I have limited time here in Idyllwild, and so much to tell you all about. Since we left Julian, the most notable aspect of our hike was the lack of water. Until we reached mile 150, there were back-to-back waterless sections. If it weren't for the kindness of Trail Angels, who hike or truck out scores of gallons of potable water, I'm not sure what we would do. In the middle of many of these 20+ mile sections, there are usually caches with fresh, cool water, and registers where we can read up on where our hiker friends are at.

We stopped into Anza, CA to resupply and take a rest day at the local campground. The 28-mile section between Anza and Idyllwild (from highway 74 to Devil's Slide) was by far the most beautiful and epic two days we have seen yet. We climbed past boulders, large conifers up to Apache Peak and the high San Jacinto Mountains. Fog poured into and around the peaks and hawks flying next to us created shadows on the slopes. The climbs were steep but well worth it. We spent Monday night camped by Fobes Spring, where we met Bacon and Meander, two hikers who started April 15th. They had had to return to this section later in the season because it was impassable in late April. They were planning to attempt Fuller's Ridge (just past Idyllwild), which is the topic of all hiker conversation these days - do you really need an ice axe?, is it passable?, did someone really freeze to death up there two years ago?. Evan and I had assumed that the descriptions in our guidebook and water report were exagerrated.

The water report told us that the last 2 miles leading up to Devil's Slide (a spur trail leading down to town, and an escape route before Fuller's Ridge), were entirely snow-covered and that crampons and an ice axe were highly recommended. After days of heat, water warnings and rattle snakes, that was pretty hard to believe until we turned the corner onto the north face. We followed footprings in the snow and trailmarkers on the trees for about half a mile until the footsteps dissapeared. Or scattered. Suffice it to say we weren't the first ones to get lost up there. After about two hours of wandering, studying the guidebooks and climbing onto rocks to look for the trail, Evan found it. We created some carns and arrows with sticks to help the next people through. But sure enough 10 minutes later the trail dissappeared again. After bushwacking about a mile, we miraculously re-found the trail and booked it down to town for a delicious and well-earned mexican dinner and a margarita.

Here in Idyllwild there are a ton of injured and tired hikers all hanging out together. Tomorrow we will take a re-route with a few of our friends, avoiding Fuller's Ridge and on toward the Sierra's. Hoping they melt soon!