From the peak to Round Valley
Under clear blue and warm skies, we now head off to Round Valley which is the second campsite for our hike.
Not far from Round Valley is the Tamarack campground. It was undergoing a big revamping of trails and pathways, and relocation of the campsites themselves.
Our un-named campsite in Tamarack
The next morning we pack up and head down to the water pipe to fill up (and sterilize).
While getting water, we strike up a conversation with Pete Carlson, who's been hiking all around the area for decades. He's an active member of the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit www.rmru.org and had some stories to tell.
Before you know it, we've been chatting for an hour in the warm sun.
(Pete and his wife were planning a trip in the autumn that would take them through Ottawa (Canada) and on to Newfoundland. As it turned out, we missed meeting then in Ottawa by a couple of days because we were hiking out west that following September, and try as we might, the schedule just wouldn't work. Perhaps on one of our next trips Pete....)
As we get closer to the Palm Springs tram station, but still a ways off, signs of civization appear!
So for people coming up on the tram, this is a good reminder about being prepared if you're gonna go for a hike. Getting to the top via tram is easy with flip-flops, but not so great after a mile or two of rocks and dry heat.
A kindly Ranger stops to chat with us for a few minutes until a fresh group of tram tourists arrives.
Wine & Beer (and food) never tasted so good, with a view for miles around.
Our plan for the last night out is to hike just out of the Park boundary and find a level campsite in the National Forest. Along the way, we take a detour to an area being restored, that has a nice overlook of the Palm Springs side.
Not too far out of the Park we spot a potential campsite by noticing a saddle near the trail.
The next morning it's downtrail and eventually we emerge into Tahquitz Meadow, and thence towards Devil's Slide, a looong series of switchbacks that brings us into Humber Park outside of Idyllwild.
When we get to Humber Park, the prospect awaits of a few miles downhill walking along the side of the road. Not very jolly.
So Jackie sticks out her thumb and within moments a Toyota FJ gently pulls over, and out pops a smiling guy who's more than happy to give us a ride.
This is Les Walker, a climber and businessman in Idyllwild who was cruising up to the park thinking there might be hikers coming down who could use a lift.
Les is a very friendly and insists on driving us all the way back to Stone Creek rather than just into town.
Thanks very much Les!
Later in the day we stop in at the Nomad store in town and find Les there visiting, and say a proper thank you.
A road out of town in search of sunsets
A last good night's rest in our tent, then tomorrow it's off to Los Angeles and explorations there.
