Morning brought an uphill slog through desert scrub from the bottom of Nance Canyon past distant greenhouses with Breaking Bad RVs parked alongside. Four miles along the trail was supposed to be a much needed water cache with approximately 16 gallons, if any was left, on private property. What that meant was anybody's guess. With some trepidation I approached the location surprised to hear a banjo playing and to be greeted by Trail Angel Mary and her horse Gracie. 
Mary was 'just learning' but it sounded pretty great to me. The location she dubbed Malibu East and came complete with a surfboard on which hikers were encouraged to register. I signed "Hikingsolo 3-13-16 NoBo" and then spent a few minutes sitting at one of several picnic tables getting sage advice on my trip to Idyllwild. While talking Paul and his two sons appeared with another Paul and his wife Laura. All were doing section hikes, Paul and sons ending today near the Paradise Cafe on route 74.
Paul and crew played leapfrog as we made our way to the intersection of route 74 and the PCT. When I arrived Paul and sons were waiting for Paul's wife, Paula, to arrive for the ride home to Poway. They gave me their extra water and offered a ride to the Paradise Cafe which I readily accepted. An early dinner was followed by the walk back to the trail crossing where I set up camp for the night just off trail.
I'm looking forward to Betsy coming out for a few days. If the grandkids are healthy it will be this week at Idyllwild, if not, then when I get to Big Bear. Either way I'm looking forward to some time together during a zero day.
Hikingsolo
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