Full Disclosure

For those of you trying to keep track of my mileage, you might have noticed a gap while I was in Idyllwild. Last summer there was a wild fire in the area and there is a section of trail that is closed because the burn area is still closed. I was hoping the forest service or the PCTA would come up with an alternate way to hike around the burn area, but the only viable option to a dangerous road walk on a windy narrow mountain highway was to hitch hike into Idyllwild from Hwy 74 at mile 153 and reconnect with the PCT at mile 179 using the devil's slide trail in Humber Park. It's unfortunate, but it gives me an excuse to visit the area in the future and day hike that section.

There are three other small sections of the PCT that are closed for various reasons but there are published maps with alternate hiking routes so unless there is a forest fire this summer that effects access to the trail, I should be able to complete the rest of the adventure on foot. 

I have to say, however that hitch hiking into Idyllwild was an adventure in itself. My ride was a 1980s Toyota Van with 7 people, two dogs, and a driver with dreadlocks. After strapping our backpacks to the roof, we had a crazy ride into town. Here is a picture to give you some idea. I would have gladly hiked...