Day 14: Table Mountain to Lake Hemet (and Breakfast at the Paradise Valley Cafe)
About PCT mile 166
We woke early with eggs and ham steak on our minds. No time for coffee or the usual granola or peanut butter breakfast. We have an 8 mile trek to the legendary food and hiker friendly restaurant of the Paradise Valley Cafe. Despite our sore muscles we made it in record time of less than two hours and had food on the table in front of us by 9:00am. The food lived up the our expectations and the 1lb ham steak was the most delicious ham I have ever tasted.
A head of us was the "Mountain Fire" trail closure and a week ago we had planned to skip the alternate route. So I had our new crampons shipped to the cafe as they would be needed for San Jacinto in 40 miles. With some new trail information we picked up in Warner Springs, our plans changed once again. We are taking most of the alternate route from Paradise to Idyllwild, and then avoiding the dangerous ascent to San Jacinto by taking another alternate there. We wanted to be true the the PCT as best we could, stay safe, and keep our mileage as close to actual as possible. I think we found a good compromise.
After filling up at the café, we road walked towards Lake Hemet and joined the alternate route along the way. Hearing of untimed showers at the lake's campground kept us going through the heat of the day. We got set up with a lake front view, enjoined another shower of a lifetime (they just keep getting better) and settled in for the night.
About PCT mile 166
We woke early with eggs and ham steak on our minds. No time for coffee or the usual granola or peanut butter breakfast. We have an 8 mile trek to the legendary food and hiker friendly restaurant of the Paradise Valley Cafe. Despite our sore muscles we made it in record time of less than two hours and had food on the table in front of us by 9:00am. The food lived up the our expectations and the 1lb ham steak was the most delicious ham I have ever tasted.
A head of us was the "Mountain Fire" trail closure and a week ago we had planned to skip the alternate route. So I had our new crampons shipped to the cafe as they would be needed for San Jacinto in 40 miles. With some new trail information we picked up in Warner Springs, our plans changed once again. We are taking most of the alternate route from Paradise to Idyllwild, and then avoiding the dangerous ascent to San Jacinto by taking another alternate there. We wanted to be true the the PCT as best we could, stay safe, and keep our mileage as close to actual as possible. I think we found a good compromise.
After filling up at the café, we road walked towards Lake Hemet and joined the alternate route along the way. Hearing of untimed showers at the lake's campground kept us going through the heat of the day. We got set up with a lake front view, enjoined another shower of a lifetime (they just keep getting better) and settled in for the night.
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