Mile 179 - 192
(via San Jacinto mountain alternate)
13 miles
Today's route leads through forest and high mountains to the summit of San Jacinto. This area is protected as state wilderness. There are numerous springs and little streams fed by melting snow. Soon large areas of continuous snow cover can be seen, especially on north facing slopes.
The trail to the summit is also snow-covered in a few places and a little bit difficult to navigate. Finally I meet other hikers just below the snowy and windy mountain top. Elevation is 10834 ft (more than 3200 m) with 160° view. We can see all the way back to Mexico.
Under the peak is a little stone mountain hut. One of the hikers "Mountain Goat" arrived at summit yesterday night and slept in the hut in the windy night to see sunrise from high elevation.
I am running out of water (and too lazy to melt the snow). After two miles descent the trail crosses a beautiful quick running stream fed by the large snowfields.
The San Jacinto mountains are like a remote island of forest surrounded by desert and semi-desert on all sides. So far this has been my favorite part of the trail! However I must tank at least 4 liters of water. Soon the PCT is going to start a long treacherous descent 9000 ft (3000 m) deep into the hot dry desert which can be seen deep below.
Traversing the sharp Fuller ridge, we look back at the steep face of Mount San Jacinto.
The descent continues through old conifer forest. At around 7000 ft elevation the forest becomes sparse on south facing slopes.
6000 feet (almost 2 km) lower is highway 10 and Cabazon shopping mall. Here I found a luxurious five star cowboy camping spot, on a ridge and still protected from the wind by large granite boulders and thick canopy of a fir tree.
After watching the sunset I fall fast asleep. Today was the highest and most beautiful day so far on this amazing trail.
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