Fuller Ridge done kicked our buttz

Today we walked through the San Bernadino National Park and entered the San Jacinto National Park. It was like hiking in the Sierras or in Rocky Mt National Park or Yosemite... a bit steep and rugged. We hiked to 10,800 ft. from 6200 . Lots of elevation gain. Near the end of the day we hit the notorious Fuller Ridge. Early in the season this can  be treacherous with ice and snow . We hit the snow but  not the treachery. Just damned steep. We were whipped by the end of the day and put in 13 very big miles. Hiking up into that altitude is like sucking air through gills. Mainly our legs felt weighted down by the centrifugal force of the entire universe. However ithe views were stunning. Tidy Camper and I are very at home up here where the air is clear and the rocks pop out in every direction. It's quite cold this evening so we are thankful for our 15 degree sleeping bags. There are a lot of people camped here at Fuller Ridge Trail head and everyone was in their tents by 7 pm.

      Topo is back hiking with us. Her toe is fully healed and we are glad she is back on the trail. TC and her like to peer at the maps, ooing and gurgling with delight, looking at squiggly lines drawn closely together surrounded by various shades of green and  brown. They get happy together. During this time DBG stands apart looking into the distance wondering where she is. She doesn't have a map. TC and Topo's have a million maps. They have not invited DBG into their elite map club. Oddly enough she is always in the lead sniffing her way to Canada like hound dog. What does she need maps for when she has her trusty nose. 

         Tomorrow we are heading down, down. down back  into the desert. The weather looks like it might be changing. It has to be. Nothing stays the same. I know you would all like to know how the weather is changing but I can't help you out.

      One last thing to say before I turn out the lights (so to speak). Everyone on this trail appears to be going to Canada. Austrians, Germans, Brits, French, Americans. You name them, they are here. Why is this? Is it because Canadians are so nice?