Day 17 – San Jacinto Hiker Haven to Mile 226.2

Sunday, May 10, 2026. Clear and 75 going up to 100.

Up at 4:30. On trail at 5:00. We hiked out in the dark with headlamps for the first hour.

We walked through the wind farm for about 3 miles. 

We got to the top of the first nasty 5-mile climb by 7:25. That final .3 miles was a 24% grade! We avoided the morning sun and heat, which was our goal. It is going up to 100 today. 

We ran into Infinity, Kellie, and Chinchilla about .75 miles from the top. 

We reached the Whitewater River at 9:45 and 10.5 miles. We found a huge boulder with shade to hang out in. Dumped our packs and walked .2 miles to the water for a soak. The water is cold and wet. 

Infinity, Kellie, Chinchilla, BFG, and Bedazzled were at the boulder when we got back. Margarita arrived followed later by Hell Yeah and Brian. Nothing to do but rest, sleep, and watch the desert bake until the temperature drops.

We left for the next water and camp 6 miles away at 4:00.

This is where things started to go south. I was going great all day until we started hiking again. Long story short, I struggled to get to camp. Five of those six miles were uphill and I got weak, nauseous, and was having some breathing problems. I had to stop A RIDICULOUS number of times to rest on the uphills. Not sure what the issue was. 

We got to camp at 7:30. Yes, 3.5 hours to go, 6  bloody miles. Brad stuck with me the entire time. Thanks, amigo! We met Kellie, Infinity, Margarita, and BFG at camp by Mission Creek.

My appetite was off. I had about 1/2 of my normal dinner. I crawled into bed at 8:45. We need to start early tomorrow to beat the heat.

Damn hard, frustrating afternoon. Only 6 miles, but I struggled and did not feel well. I had heat and dehydration issues. Also, I had asthma issues for the first time in over a year. It was a bad end to an otherwise good day.

Technical Notes:

• Pop Tarts: 170
• Slim Jim: 350
• Skittles: 220
• Peak Refuel: 600
• Propel x 2
• Water liters: 9
• Miles: 17.93
• Time: 14:23
• Up: 4262
• Down: 2539
• Calories consumed: 1300
• Calories burned: 5276
• iPhone battery used: 50