Today I completed my drive to Idyllwild, CA. I was seeking The Hub, the bike shop in town. My drive was on rt 74. A sign on the side of the road announced the crossing of the PCT. I might have hiked this piece back in 1978 during my attempt to thru hike the PCT. Might have because back then the trail in these parts sometimes used farm roads. B4 Idyllwild I met up w/ Dave, who had a guide book as I lost mine several days ago when I slipped during a creek crossing in bare feet slinging my guide book into the drink. By the time I crossed, dropped my pack, slipped on running shoes and fought brush downstream, the book had disappeared. We were searching for trail markers finding none. Susie jumped out of a car driven by a friend who was dropping her off for her hike. I believe we all piled into that car and drove up to Idyllwild to find the trail. Somehow we lost Dave. Susie and I hiked north that took us back up in the mountains. We picked a closed FS XG for the night. Windy and chilly. We had dinner and hung out in a concrete outhouse which was more desirable than huddled in my small tent. But that was back in 1978, almost 35 years ago.
Today I drove into town. What a tourist economy, some arts also. I was focused on the bike shop. I found it. Brendan was open. We chatted, one subject was Sedona, that he had heard about thru Patrick. Sedona travels.
He told me to ride Hurley Creek to get feel for what this riding is about. I drove back down mtn to Hurley Creek county XG. $3 entry and access to coin shower. I asked for a map for the 24 hour race course. Woman attendant gave me a poor map w/ yellow high lighter to mark course. I asked if it was signed. No she said, there are so many bikes on it to just follow the tracks. I took off. She said it was 82 @ her local house. Pleasant ride in spite of temp which was tempered by gentle breeze. I came upon several intersections where tracks took different paths. I guessed and deduced from intent of map and route to make it back to park.
Along the way I came upon this tree:
I read about this natural store house while on the Crest. Woodpecker finds acorns w/ insect egg laid in it. A slightly larger diameter hole is pecked into the bark of the pine. The tree was high density storage. The acorn is inserted tip first exposing the cap end.
Trail tread is decomposed granite w/ a few tech moves on the exposed rock. I walked a few. Tight twisty trail in places, come onto something after a blind entrance from a tight turn. Fall line eroded tread. 12.66 miles in 1:42 climbed 1639′.
Rides here a like long uphill road climb to ride down single track. Move over undulating Sedona for drop down long climbs. No red color either.
Camped @ a yellow post that the FS labels primitive camp spots. I rode by this spot and noticed the campers were packing up. I knew where I would stay. I rode back into park. The shower requires (2) quarters, one after the other for 3 mins. Could only add more time after the 3 mins were up. My first .50 went to running hot h2o out of nozzle. I am clean.
Drove out to spot # 3 which was still vacant. I’m in.
I attempted to load the CA Topo maps but an error said i needed a file that didn’t come w/ discs. Need mapping data.
Debating about riding Thomas mtn tomorrow and staying here again then visiting Turner on Tues.