Up at 5 AM - on trail by 6 AM

Beautiful colors in the sky - pinks and purples.

Hiking up. Through more bouldery terrain.

Expansive views all day as we climb higher and higher. Rolling dry brown hills. As we turn and make our way to a saddle/ridge a new valley can be seen. A beautiful lake. Indio & Palm Springs, windmills, etc.

All the while the San Jacinto mountains are in the distance - we hike closer with each step!

Had lunch under a beautiful big pine 🙃

Some hills have sun bleached remains of manzanita bushes poking through manzanita bushes - they look like bones.

Up up up up up up up.

Remnants of snow on trail.

Had to climb over about 6 downed trees and under two.

Brush very overgrown on the trail - need to push through - feels like a birthing experience (again and again).

The higher we climb the stronger the wind gusts get - VERY intense!!! Can feel the wind push you - scary on some parts of the trail!

Water source is off trail and down - Paul offered to make the trek while Devon & I hunker down in a ravine to stay out of the wind - it’s so intense!

Hiked about 2 more miles to next campsite. Jaw dropping epic views the entire way.

Rounded a bend to the campsite - setup - it will be difficult to avoid the wind - Devon & Paul had their tent completely setup and took it down and moved it to another more sheltered spot.

Ate and got ready for bed - it’s going to be a cold windy night. I’m wearing all of my layers 🥶

Had a beautiful moth come into my vestibule last night - he spent the night and stayed warm.