This is part 18 of the “Why We Hike” Series
Tuesday, May 5th / 16.3 miles / Elevation gain: 3,008’
Mike’s Place to Hiker’s Oasis
We crept out of our shanty around 5am and sneak out of Mike’s place trying not to wake anyone. It felt a little like being the first one to leave a frat party in the morning. Speaking of party animals, Zach is feeling the effects of too much of a good thing and has some nasty diarrhea. Other than making Kelly and I disgusted, it didn’t seem to be a problem.
We made it to Combs Peak not long after sunrise and tried our wireless reception for the umpteenth time. Miraculously enough, we finally get a signal. Kelly leaves a message with Jaz to let her know we are okay and we both get flooded with 4 days of email. I call Pat and let her know we are on schedule for the resupply and will probably be there quite early if that helps her. I also ask her to pick up some Super Glue. Zach’s paws are bothering him and I remembered how using Super Glue on my finger tips while rock climbing made worn off skin ready for the next ascent. I figured it might work for Zach too.
While we are on the peak, Ryan (who we met at Mike’s place) passes us by. Ryan is the first guy on this section who is totally embracing the ultra light style. The tiny pack looks even smaller on his tall, lanky body. I don’t expect to see him again as he passes us, thinking he will move fast and far today.
We can see the allure of the San Jacinto Mountain well off into the distance but for now it is more of the same. Although we aren’t in a burnt out area, the trail drops down from the peak into miles and miles of desert scrub.
Its hard to find anything to like about hiking in the desert, I do however occasionally find a Horned Toad Lizard and Kelly finds a splash of flowers. We have over 10 miles until the next water source and it isn’t too long before we switch Zach’s packs out for his cooling vest. The heat and lackluster scenery really turn what should be an easy hike into a grunt. By the time we get to Nance Creek it is just early afternoon and in the 90s in the (if there were any) shade.
We decide to sit out the heat of the day here and find respite in the shade of a large oak tree next to the creek. I filter water while Kelly washes our socks, a new ritual we have started. Carrying at least 2 pair each, we put on a fresh pair each morning and at mid-day, rinsing out 1 dirty pair at some point during the day and other ones at night. While we rest some of the guys from Mike’s place wander past us and pass out under a canopy of oaks. Apparently hiking with a hangover isn’t fun.
After several hours and a few liters of electrolyte drink, we pack up and move on, beginning our several day climb up and out of this desert and into the San Jacinto Mountains. At least it is cooling off now with each hour and we start making better time again.
In a surprisingly short time we make it to Hiker’s Oasis, a water cache next to a dirt road. Considering how close we are to Paradise Café, I don’t see any reason to go further tonight when it would be better hiking in the cool of the morning. Kelly is disappointed and would rather move on but since the hour is late and neither of us know if there will be a good campsite ahead, she relents and we pitch our tent near the cache.
Continues here: Penrod Canyon