A rollercoaster, Week 3 on the PCT

Three weeks! After a zero in town we headed back up to tackle San Jacinto Peak. We camped just before the junction so we can have an early start the next day. This campsite had been the best view from camp so far. 

San Jacinto

The next day we submitted San Jacinto Peak and after that made it out was to Fuller Ridge campground. The day was slow going walking on snow 90% of our day, the elevation gain and post holing. It was really rewarding bagging our first peak but also realized I don’t like walking on snow that much. Glissading down it sure is fun though. 

We hiked down the mountain the next day. We had a slow start to the day as yesterday really tired us. The hike started in the forest but after a few miles it changed to a desert environment. No shade, the heat was relentless as the temperature rapidly rose to 95 degrees. We ended our day next to the last water source before getting to highway I-10, where we would get a resupply box at a trail angel’s house nearby. 

Whitewater Preserve

We woke up at 4am to make it to a trail angel’s house where a resupply box was waiting for us. We crossed the valley before I-10 during sunrise and I was glad we did as it was beautiful and we also knew that part was going to be brutal in the heat when the highs re in the 90s. We made it to the house by 7:30 and after getting our box we kept going. We wanted to get all our miles for the day before it got too hot. We were back in the desert so water and shade are pretty scarce. We saw on FarOut the Whitewater Preserve and decided to make it our goal for the day. When we got to the junction for the trail to the preserve we noticed we had to cross the river/ watershed. It felt like we were walking on another planet. The rocks and sand were white/light gray and the water also had a whiteish hue to it because of the minerals it carries. Then we started to see a area of lush green in the midst of this desert landscape. That was where the visitor’s center was.
We made it there about half past noon and spent the rest of the day there. The change in scenery was astounding. The visitors center was in a shady grove of trees, with two ponds and a creek that flowed next to the trees. Hikers are welcome to spend the night in the green area. It had a big gazebo with picnic tables, restrooms, and charging outlets we could use. We thought we had anything we could ask for in a campsite (except cellphone reception) when we got trail magic! Legend’s friend, Nobody showed up to cook us all spaghetti dinner. I had already eaten a late lunch/early dinner of creamy garlic pasta at 3:30pm but still had spaghetti at 6pm. I think I’m losing weight so I’m trying to eat more.

5am starts means sunrise views

Whitewater Preserve Visitors Center

Whitewater Preserve Visitors Center

Whitewater 

  Whitewater Preserve

  After an amazing afternoon and night we set out early again to try to beat the heat even though today’s temperature high was supposed to be in the 80s. After 8 miles of hiking we made it to the infamous Mission Creek. On this part of the PCT the trail is non existent as it was washed out by a hurricane in 2023. We have to follow the creek for a few miles before the trail reappears. We had heard hikers were skipping this part but also heard from others that it was doable, it was just following the creek all day. Some said that it was even fun and you didn’t have to worry about carrying water as you would have it at hand all day. The reality felt a little bit different. We had to follow the creek for 9ish miles on the map which felt more like 15 miles s you had to zig zag your way up the creek, crossing it over and over trying to find the best route while walking/stumbling on unstable ground ranging from sand and stone to boulders fields. It was grueling and harsh on our feet. About a mile and a half before we turned into a smaller creek bed/canyon, the water from the creek disappeared. I got worried that the camp we were aiming for wouldn’t have water as the comments on FarOut were a few days old and we were told we were going to be following water all day. We made it to camp and it did have water. I was glad to be over this part. When he got to camp one hiker said “The best part of today is that it is over”

The only picture I have from this day walking along Mission Creek

This week was a rollercoaster in elevation difficulty, and morale…Onto week 4!

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek’s ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.