PCT Day 10: Paradise Cafe & San Jacinto Mtns

Daily Miles: 21.4, Total Miles: 158.0

The next section of trail seemed to wander up and down and all around due to some land ownership issues. Hot day and drinking lots of water, so good to see the Anza Hiker’s Oasis water cache at about mile 143.

I finally got to Highway 74 but not before seeing the 4th, 5th and 6th snake. Enough on the snake count, probably counter-productive at this point. Only significant milestones from now on.

I enjoyed a late lunch with several other hikers at the Paradise Cafe, only a one-mile detour. A chocolate shake and huge Jose burger with bacon, mushrooms and jalapenos!

I waddled back down the highway to the TH that would take me into the San Jacinto Mountains. The trail angels there just happened to be the Tres Amigos, hikers I had met earlier that had gotten off the trail. One graciously gave me her purple bandana, more fitting for Purple Haze.

A late afternoon and early evening hike got me into the San Jacinto foothills at Live Oak Spring. I set up camp in the dark, the price you pay for a leisurely lunch stop.