12 miles through Idyllwild

May 21, 2022

12 miles through the mountains of Idyllwild - for some that’s the distance between their front door and downtown.

We started up a steep path, Saddle Junction, with 50 pounds on our backs. Virginia and our trusty four-legged yellow mutt, we call Lady, breezed ahead. I, for once, wasn’t in a rush. Some anxiety sank in that we would either have to turn back soon or this would be our fate - the wilderness and the items on our back. I immediately thought, “mind over matter,” though my calves were beginning to burn, my shoulders were already aching, and sweat poured. Starting is the hardest, I thought, it only gets easier as you become acquainted. We would go from 5000 to 8800 feet with switchbacks, rocks, and ups and downs through the mountain terrain.

At the end of Saddle Junction trail, we hid our packs leaving them 240 degrees SW behind us. We then traveled about 1.5 miles on another trail, Willow Creek, to look for some promised water. I dazed out among the trees - some fallen, some burned by wildfires, and some thriving - and thought, what a beautiful reminder that there’s more to life than the now. More than the daily emotions we get caught up in. The circle of life is all around us, and in so many forms.

Suddenly, you’re grateful for a gust of wind, a flowing creek, rocks that provide a seat, and the singing of the birds to break up the silence.

Once we filled our water bottles with fresh water, washed our face in the clear stream, and Lady enjoyed a bath, we walked back to our packs. It was time to hike to our camping spot for the evening.

After a seven mile day, we arrived at Chinquapin Flat and what would be our home for the night. As regulated, we walked 200 feet off the trail and searched for comfortable land to plant our tents. You begin to wonder how men and women first scavenged and habited the land. Do we still ask the same questions when looking for a place to sleep? Shade, flat ground, protection, running water, and of course, good views?

Then, we sat in time. Nothing else to do other than to be. We basked in the sun, replenished our bodies with food and water, played cards, asked funny questions and had funny banter (probably delusional), analyzed our lives, and sat in a lot of silence. We coexisted together.

The evening finally came, so we hiked to the top of a hill and stood on boulders waiting for the sun to set. Usually it seems you’ve made it in perfect timing to catch the sunset by accident, but for once we were waiting for it. As guests. Sitting above the clouds - which looked like the ocean in the sky - we were in heaven.

I rarely sleep well in a tent, unable to see the world around me. The clock ticked midnight and I crawled into Virginia and Lady’s tent where I finally found peace in sleep - tucked in tightly next to them. Virginia would tell you in a half joking and half angsty manner, that I snored through the night. Whoops.

In the morning, we summited .4 miles to Tahquitz Peak. There was snow! We enjoyed the 360 degree views from the firefighter lookout and soon made our trek back to the bottom of the mountain. We dreamt of burgers and beer and Virginia deeply desired coffee. I wonder what Lady desired.

It was an idyllic time in Idyllwild.