Day 16 (17 April) - Mile 147.66 - 151.86 (Plus 10 mile detour)

Unnamed Location on Trail To Hurkey Creek Park, CA

We woke with some excitement since we were going to be at Paradise Valley Cafe for lunch...it's the little things these days that get us motivated to hike. By the time we got up, our campmate, Rob, was long gone. His goal was to make it to the cafe for breakfast.

All smiles to start the morning hike.

We figure that if we were going to a road then the trail should be headed down, which was the case for a few miles, but then we started climbing.

Looking back at the trail we came down. Picture taken as we headed back up.

As we are climbing we have this great view of a very different landscape from what we've seen so far.

Nifty landscape.

Finally, after just over 4 miles, we see a side trail pointing towards Paradise Valley Cafe.

Trail to Paradise.

But, before we go there we have to cross Highway 74 to see the first big obstacle in our hike.

This trail closure gives us a few options, but first, before we make any decision, we must eat.

Back to the side trail, and 1 mile later...

The infamous Paradise Valley Cafe.

The Jose Burger (Swiss, jalapeños, guacamole, bacon (given to Tim)) and great beer.

Meal done, now decision to be made. The PCT is closed for most of the section from here to Idyllwild, CA. The PCT association, at this time, had not come up with an alternate route, so officially the current PCT route is to get a ride from Paradise Valley Cafe to Idyllwild and continue the trail from there. All the fellow hikers we talked to over the past week have decided to go this route.  Me, leaning more towards the purity of the hike, wants to have a continuous walking trail from Mexico to Canada. Tim, on the other hand, can go either way. 

Do you remember the "Choose your own Adventure" books?  This is your time to choose.

If you think we should bypass the detour and take a ride to Idyllwild then skip ahead to halfway through "Day 17".

If you choose to hike to Idyllwild and take the pure route then read on. 

WALK ON

So, off we walked, just minutes after watching another couple hiking the PCT get into a car for the 14 mile drive up to Idyllwild. 

We walked Highway 74 for 10 miles. My feet ached more today then they have the entire hike so far. I guess there was some "nice" parts of the walk. Here are the highlights. 

Nice shoulder to walk on, although it didn't last.

View of the mountains we would be walking in if it wasn't for the detour.

Very cool Lodgepole Pine.

One thing that got us through those 10 miles is that we stopped halfway through and made a hotel reservation for when we get to Idyllwild tomorrow afternoon.

We finally made it to our goal that day of Hukey Creek County Park campground where at least there was toilets and running water. 

Sorry, no picture of the campsite. We were so beat after that 10 mile highway walk that we didn't even cook dinner. We just ate some nut, setup the tent, and went to sleep. 

Part 2 of the detour tomorrow. 

NOTE: I didn't even write this blog the same day as I usually do. This was composed the next day.