Travel, Photography, Good Food, Hiking, Landscape, Adventure, Animals, California, Pacific Crest Trail, Riverside County, Idyllwild, Lily Rock, San Bernardino National Forest, San Jacinto Mountains, Tahquitz Peak, Devil's Slide Trail, Humber Park, Saddle Junction, San Jacinto Wilderness, Diamond Valley Lake, Little Tahquitz Valley, Red Tahquitz, Tahquitz Meadow
Charlie and I set out on a trek up to Tahquitz Peak Lookout. Neither of us realized what we were going to run into that day. The weather was mildly cool and threatening possible rain showers. We hit a few sprinkles on the drive up to Idyllwild. On Devil's Slide Trail we only saw one other hiker who was heading up also, passing us at a pretty good pace. When we reached Saddle Junction, we encounter two grey haired men who had spent the night at Caramba Falls. Both were carrying hefty backpacks and were anxious to get back to Idyllwild.
Charlie and I continued south from Saddle Junction on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). About a mile from the junction Charlie spotted a fawn on the trail and I quickly located the doe just below us. Ten minutes later, Charlie and I were getting snowed on as we continued on the PCT. After reaching Chinquapin Flats we exited the PCT and headed for Tahquitz Peak Lookout. The lookout is staffed by volunteers. When we arrived, a man and his wife were keeping watch. He was celebrating his 70th birthday. They were relieving the other couple who had to hike one and an half miles down to Tahquitz Creek about 1000 vertical feet below. That gentleman celebrated his 85th birthday in August. For reaching the summit, Charlie and I were inducted into "The Ancient and Honorable Order of Squirrels."
After that, Charlie and I finished our hike going down to Tahquitz Creek, Little Tahquitz Valley and Tahquitz Meadow. We then headed west on Caramba Trail to Saddle Junction and back down Devil's Slide to Humber Park. Of course, a tradition for me is to stop at Arriba's Mexican Restaurant. Charlie had the Chicken Fried Burrito and I had the Beef Chili Colorado Burrito smothered in Red Sauce. Both were delicious!
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