The report I wrote on the night of my eleventh day was the only one that did not survive. Regardless, I still recall quite a bit from that day. I left camp around dawn and begin making my way down the remainder of Mount San Jacinto. The total descent from the summit to the San Gorgonio Pass was about 10,000 feet, so I needed to get going. As I wound my down the mountain, within the cell reception bubble of Palm Springs, I decided to make some phone calls. My complacency grew, and before I knew it I was face to face with an angry six foot long rattlesnake. I waited for a few minutes, but the snake stood its ground, so I was forced to scramble through screen while avoiding cacti in order to continue down the trail.
Eventually I made my way to a water tank where I rested in the shade and let my adrenaline subside. Following the tank was a long, hot walk through a wash before crossing under the I-10 freeway. When I made it to the underpass, I was relieved to find plenty of shade and a friendly woman administering trail magic. I took an extended break to enjoy some refreshments before beginning my final section of trail for the day.
The exit route from the freeway was very uncomfortable, as the trail dipped drainage ditches of a partially defunct and totally sketch housing development. The most nervous moment was when I had to take an urgent crap just off the side of the road, with nothing but some thin desert brush to hide me from the residents.
I finally made it out of the neighborhood and enjoyed my climb up a canyon with a pleasant breeze. When I arrived to the top, I had to battle a vicious headwind along the rim of the canyon. By nightfall, I made to Whitewater Preserve, which had a man made pond (with swimming permitted) and a large field with free camping to hikers. It is here that I wrote my report that did not survive, while trying to sleep through intense wind that I had experienced earlier in the day. I made refuge behind the leeward side a hefty stone bathroom, which proved to be a worthwhile campsite.
The north face of Mount San Jacinto, an angry snake, trail magic at the freeway, a peaceful snake:
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