Destination: Tamarack Road
Starting Location: Just before Snow Creek
Today’s Miles: 4.60
Trip Miles: 209.60
Just before Snow Creek (205.0, 2250) to Tamarack Road (209.6, 1360) ascent (245) descent (846)
Immediately after hiking a few minutes we realized we had nearly made our destination the previous evening. Within 20 minutes we were at the Snow Creek water fountain, which is provided by the Desert Water Authority. Thank you! We had a hiker reunion at the fountain as everyone else was just rolling out of bed. After tanking up on water & visiting we headed across the blistering four miles of sand to our meeting place with Gottago. At 8:30 in the morning we were sweating and our feet were burning. When we got to I-10 we saw our buddy Gottago and immediately heard that some lost hikers had discovered John Donovan’s camp and they used his gear to survive and start a rescue fire. We quickly compared notes on the location of his camp and noted we had gotten misplaced there also for an hour or so. What was odd however was that he apparently headed east as an escape route when Idyllwild was clearly to the west. He would have had to climb first however and going up is difficult when on a mountain during weather and all of your instincts are saying, “go down”. Regardless while I never met John, we are kindred spirits and I hope he found peace on the side of Mt San Jacinto.
Our first stop was the tiny town of Cabazon where we bought sodas and junk food. I also had a banana. Then we headed to Gottago & Ray’s home in Rancho Mirage where we were treated to incredible hospitality. We had to do a fairly major resupply here as we were out of sunscreen and other critical items. I had a good case of what hikers call monkey butt, walking like a crab or chay chay. Big miles, and hot temperatures equals moist skin rubbing itself raw into debilitating chafe. So I went on the offensive and decided to carry the weight in search of a cure. I bought some Gold Bond Powder and some Bag Balm. Ray also took me to the store and I picked up a pair of lycra like shorts that are reported to help. We will see.
We went to the all you can eat buffet at the Agua Caliente Casino and they lost money on our group. We ate for about an hour. When we left I noticed the casino tables were full so I am sure they are doing well. Liz & Gottago headed back to the trail to pick up a hiker who had gotten in trouble with the heat. Everything worked out fine but hiking midday in this heat is risky business
Destination: Tamarack Road
Starting Location: Just before Snow Creek
Today’s Miles: 4.60
Trip Miles: 209.60
Just before Snow Creek (205.0, 2250) to Tamarack Road (209.6, 1360) ascent (245) descent (846)
Immediately after hiking a few minutes we realized we had nearly made our destination the previous evening. Within 20 minutes we were at the Snow Creek water fountain, which is provided by the Desert Water Authority. Thank you! We had a hiker reunion at the fountain as everyone else was just rolling out of bed. After tanking up on water & visiting we headed across the blistering four miles of sand to our meeting place with Gottago. At 8:30 in the morning we were sweating and our feet were burning. When we got to I-10 we saw our buddy Gottago and immediately heard that some lost hikers had discovered John Donovan’s camp and they used his gear to survive and start a rescue fire. We quickly compared notes on the location of his camp and noted we had gotten misplaced there also for an hour or so. What was odd however was that he apparently headed east as an escape route when Idyllwild was clearly to the west. He would have had to climb first however and going up is difficult when on a mountain during weather and all of your instincts are saying, “go down”. Regardless while I never met John, we are kindred spirits and I hope he found peace on the side of Mt San Jacinto.
Our first stop was the tiny town of Cabazon where we bought sodas and junk food. I also had a banana. Then we headed to Gottago & Ray’s home in Rancho Mirage where we were treated to incredible hospitality. We had to do a fairly major resupply here as we were out of sunscreen and other critical items. I had a good case of what hikers call monkey butt, walking like a crab or chay chay. Big miles, and hot temperatures equals moist skin rubbing itself raw into debilitating chafe. So I went on the offensive and decided to carry the weight in search of a cure. I bought some Gold Bond Powder and some Bag Balm. Ray also took me to the store and I picked up a pair of lycra like shorts that are reported to help. We will see.
We went to the all you can eat buffet at the Agua Caliente Casino and they lost money on our group. We ate for about an hour. When we left I noticed the casino tables were full so I am sure they are doing well. Liz & Gottago headed back to the trail to pick up a hiker who had gotten in trouble with the heat. Everything worked out fine but hiking midday in this heat is risky business
Robert Francisco 
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