[pct-l] Additional Idyllwild stuff

[Len Glassner]

Pictures here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/len5742/Idyllwild

I will be putting these pictures and more, in my TJ.  Eventually.

Would someone clarify for me what peaks are just to the 'left' or east
of Tahquitz Peak?  I was thinking Red Tahquitz but the peaks in the
picture seem farther away to me.  (I am exposing my tentative
map-reading skills, yikes!)

Not quite as scary in pictures as it was up close and personal in some
places.  But then I wasn't thinking about taking pictures at those
places.  The heat wave is currently hitting Idyllwild and with 4+
weeks before I should get there, I expect the snow situation  will
have changed significantly.  Though my potty trowel seems to be
ineffective, I will carry it anyway, and see if it works as a talisman
to warn away the evil snow spirits.

FWIW, IMO Comments.

If you go down Devil's Slide, there are a half-dozen or so downed
trees that seemed to me to force cutting a switchback.  Hoping that it
is cleaned up soon.  Also there is a switchback that is REALLY sharp
and easy to miss, especially going up.  But then there are some like
that on most every trail I guess.

IF I had no other considerations, I'd come into Idyllwild via the Deer
Springs Trail rather than Devil's Slide, especially if coming SOBO.
Devils Slide is shorter but leaves you with a two-mile roadwalk
through residential. Deer Springs comes out a half mile from the main
town.  I'd just as soon road walk as little as possible.  Be sure if
you do this you cross to the other side of 243 where there is decent
shoulder room.

Now having endorsed a bit of a walk on 243, let me say that if you are
going to go around Fuller Ridge and pick up the trail again at BM
Road, REALLY try to avoid the road walk on 243.  That will likely be 8
nerve-wracking miles, as there is virtually no shoulder in some
places.  There is a lot of traffic.  If hitching, important to
position yourself where someone can turn out easily.

Almost cracked a tooth on the uncooked rice that came with my tacos at
JoAnn's.  Had a so-so burger at the Lumber Mill bar/grill.  But I had
a strawberry shake there that was pretty big, very thick (had a hard
time getting through a straw) and actually had strawberries in it.
Pretty tasty in a heat wave.

My ATT cell phone could ring another party at  the north end Fuller
Ridge, so you might want to call from there and say you made it, or
maybe adjust your life insurance coverage.