Made it the rest of the way down Snow Canyon today, to the faucet at mile 205, and then down to Snow Canyon Village at 206, where a trail angel named Tracker greets hikers with oranges and a wading pool filled with cold water for a foot soak. She also had a nature guide that allowed me to identify the snake I saw this morning as a rosy boa. She is the first person I’ve seen since Saddle Junction, the trail has been pretty deserted. Turns out she is a science educator at the BLM museum nearby.
Good thing I started hiking before dawn, because it is blazing hot today. I got to Ziggy and the Bear’s by 11, and their thermometer had already hit 100. Made me grateful for the cold Gatorade and cold shower. And for the run to Burger King, with the promise of green salad at 5, followed by ice cream at 7. Just before hiker bedtime.
It’s pretty incredible just how generous these folks are to take in a bunch of motley hikers and do so much for them. But hikers are a fairly entertaining bunch, so I suppose it’s a more interesting way to spend your retirement than most.
The next leg is 50-some miles and a 6000 foot climb up to Big Bear. Word is that the only water source for the middle 30 miles has dried up. Not the most fun hiking, but I guess that’s what I signed up for.
Emerging from Snow Canyon, heading to Cabazon, mi 205