PCT Day 11 – Mile 131.5 to Paradise valley cafe
Start: Mile 131.5
End: 151.8
Distance: 20.3
Non PCT miles: 1.4
Steps: 52970

Was up and packed in record time for me. Somehow it normally takes me an hour from the time I decide I’m getting up until I’m ready to hit the trail. Today I managed to make that 45 mins. Small victories I guess. The goal for today was to hike just over 20 miles to the Paradise Valley Cafe locates 0.7 Miles off the PCT. Why do a 20 mile day in what promises to be a good amount of elevation gain and loss… because at the is the promise of the best burger on the PCT. Thats pretty good motivation when your a thru-hiker. Pretty much all you think of is Food, water, walking and sleeping.

I was making good time this morning with the cool air and managed to get 9 miles in before 9 am even with the elevation gain. I leaped frogged several hikers all whom had the same goal in mind. There was some fantastic views as we started the day where you could see past the desert mountains into the true sandy desert. The ecosystem here is not really the desert it’s called chaparral because of the annual amount of precipitation that falls on average.

There were two reliable water caches on path today. These trail angles are truely something. They really save lives of countless hikers by ensuring the availability of water. The second cash is run by Mary the Trail angle. She has shaded tables, a pit toilet, a library, wa shower and even the ability to laundry in her Muir Woods. I had the opportunity to meet her when she stopped by to drop of some iced cold lemon aid and ice cold distilled water. She sat down and chatted about the Trail, mountain lions, the dear population and is truely a weath of knowledge on the area. Her desert oasis is really an amazing place to take a break.

From there the trial climbs significantly and the views of upcoming mountains have started to revile themselves and have been much needed distraction rocks and sand.

I made it to Paradise Valley Cafe at 17:30 and the majority of the crew were there. The burger was as good as I believed it would be and I’ve honestly never had better service at any other restaurant in my life. They fill up water bottle and even allow hikers to camp out back which several people elected to do so they can have breakfast there tomorrow. I On the other hand walked the 0.7 miles back to the trail where I am set up alone. I knew if I stayed the night there I wouldn’t leave until 10 or 11 at the earliest.

The goal now is Idyllwild by Friday. Hopefully early enough for me to edit photos and get my blog updated. Then bounce my computer ahead. If I don’t manage that all on Friday I’ll be stuck i town until the post office opens again on Monday. Which wouldn’t be the end of the world and I’m sure my body would greatly appreciate it.