The Trail:

In anticipation of the town filling with hikers, here’s a mini-course on everything you wondered about the Pacific Crest Trail. First of all, everyone refers to it as the PCT. It was conceived in the 1930’s as a long-distance trail similar to the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail in the East (AT), but was not formally finished until 1993. The PCT is 2,653 miles long and stretches from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada through 3 states, 25 National Forests & 7 National Parks. It travels along the ridge of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade mountains and is broken into 29 “sections” of which Idyllwild is in section “2” appx. 179 miles from the southern terminus. The elevation change along the trail is from 110 feet above sea level in Oregon, to 13,153 feet near Mt. Whitney in California. The PCT is one of the 3 trails that make up the “Triple Crown” of long distance hiking: The Appalachian Trail (2,200 miles), the Continental Divide Trail (3,028 miles), and the PCT (2,653 miles). The PCT passes by Idyllwild at the top of Devil’s Slide Trail, and the San Jacinto Mountains are one of the most difficult portions of the trail, partly because so many people get this far on the trail, and partly because this section passes through both hot desert and snowy dangerous mountain portions. Only about 5% of those attempting to do the entire trail start in Canada and go southbound (they are called SOBO’s). So the great majority start at the Mexican border around April and head north. Thousands of people hike portions or entire sections of the PCT, but only those who apply for a permit to do more than 500 miles are kept track of. These are called “Thru-Hikers”.

The Hikers:

In the early years of the PCT, less than 200 people applied for permits to do the entire trail. After the book and movie “WILD” came out in 2014, the number of permits jumped 320%. In 2022 4,125 permits were given, but the all time high was in 2019 right before the pandemic where 4,725 permits were granted. About 25% of these hikers actually make it to the end. It takes an average of 5 months to do the entire trail, and that is doing 15 – 20 miles per day. The record holder for the fastest time is 46 days set by a Belgian runner. It’s a balancing acct between leaving too early and hitting too much snow in the San Jacinto’s, San Bernardino’s, and the rest of the Sierra’s, and leaving too late and encountering difficulty with the desert heat and finding sufficient water. The average age of the hikers is 20 -40 but there are many over 60 who attempt the trail, and a handful of children. The youngest was 4 years old. Most hikers have taken a 6 month break from work, or recently retired or may be in between jobs. Some even work from the trail. They usually prepare for the hike for 6 months prior to taking off, many traveling from other countries. They mail “supply packages” to post offices along the trail in small towns like Idyllwild, and often have to seek medical attention or new supplies along their route.

Having been an Innkeeper for 29 years, and my husband often drives hikers to airports or other locations, we have been lucky to get to talk with many of these hikers and they are very interesting people. They ALL have a story, and come from very diverse backgrounds and have different reasons for doing the PCT. Doctors, Engineers, students, retirees, etc. We met an Olympian who had medaled in both Summer and Winter Olympics in speed skating and road biking, and was doing the PCT southbound for her 2nd time IN A DRESS! She was amazing. I would encourage you to say hi and chat with a couple in the next 2 months as they pass through Idyllwild. They are grateful for the smallest kindness and you will get to hear their story of what brought them on their adventure.

Click Here to go to the
PCT Information Page

Thursday February 27th
Yoga & Mindset Workshop
With Lily Charmoz
Present & Positive (Yurt)
26875 Live Oak Ln.
6 pm – 8 pm

You have dreams—big ones. But turning them into reality requires more than hope; it takes clarity, alignment, and intentional action. This workshop is designed for those who feel stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed by doubt, helping you break through resistance and step into the life you truly want.
Through movement, breathwork, meditation, and deep self-inquiry, you’ll go beyond wishful thinking and learn how to embody the energy of your goals—so you can take action from a place of confidence and alignment, not fear or hesitation.

Sunday March 2nd
Jazz Girls Day
Ages 10 – 18
Idyllwild Arts

Idyllwild Arts is hosting California’s FIRST Jazz Girls Day®  on Sunday, March 2nd, 2025. Jazz Girls Day®  was developed by Dr. Colleen Clark (University of South Carolina) and offers a FREE daylong clinic including masterclasses, jam sessions, and a concert, open to all female identifying improvising musicians aged 10-18 in the pursuit of jazz music. Again, registration is FREE, there is no audition, and a healthy variety of experience levels are welcome! All participants can expect to learn and be challenged in a supportive and welcoming environment. Research findings have shown that participants in Jazz Girls Day® are more likely to continue their pursuits in music, and participants noted that the opportunity to play and perform with an all female band changed and developed their perspective on music. 

Sunday March 2nd
FREE Oscar Party
Rustic Theatre
4 pm – 8 pm

Tuesday March 4th
FEEDING AMERICA
Food Distribution
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
10:30 am – Noon

Starts Tuesday March 4th – 8th
Idyllwild Film Festival
Get your “Locals” Pass NOW!
Just $25

Tuesday March 4th – Saturday March 8th
International Festival of Cinema
Rustic Theatre & Tahquitz Pines
Tickets available NOW for Locals
Just $25 for entire festival

Tuesday March 4th
Mindful Self-Compassion
With Val Velez MPH/TMF
5:30 pm

Come learn practices to take kind care of one’s own mind and cope with life’s challenges without beating ourselves up. Workshop by Valerie Velez, MPH (Master of Public Health) who has been trained by UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center. 

Wednesday March 5th
Kids Story Time
“Read Across America“
Idyllwild Library
11 am

Idyllwild Scholarship Fund
Apply now thru April 9th
Scan the QR Code to apply

If you didn’t get a chance to donate to the Idyllwild Scholarship fund for local seniors, there’s still time….
Click on the link below.

Idyllwild Community Fund
Grant Applications Open March 1st
Due by April 11th
Help Available

If your 501c3 Organization in Idyllwild needs money for a specific project or program, you can apply to ICF starting Saturday March 1st. For more info, email us at info@idyllwildcommunityfund.org

Free Tree Time
Idyllwild Library &
Neighborhood Forest
Sign up before March 15th

It’s FREE tree time! Idyllwild Library is partnering with @Neighborhood Forest to provide free trees for kids to plant during Earth Week. Parents/guardians, sign your child up for a free tree by March 15th!

Saturday March 8th
BINGO – Fun-Raiser
Presented by Idyllwild Rotary
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
5:00 pm
Proceeds go to Idyllwild Soroptimist

Saturday & Sunday March 8-9
Spring Play – Silent Sky
Idyllwild Arts
Bowman Theater
Saturday 7:30 pm
Sunday 2:00 pm

Silent Sky is a dramatization of the life of Henrietta Leavitt, an influential female astronomer of the early 1900s. The play illustrates the determination of Henrietta and other female “computers” who significantly changed the way we understand the universe. Silent Sky explores issues such as living with a disability, women’s rights, and the challenges of scientific inquiry. Henrietta’s story provides audiences with a heartwarming glimpse of the determination and sacrifices she made to pursue her love of science and the heavens.  

Saturday March 8th
A Women’s Yoga & Wellness Retreat
With Lily & Jenna
Present & Positive (Yurt)
26875 Live Oak Ln.
12:30 – 2:30
$60

Monday March 17th
Ol Time Radio
“The Six Shooter”
Middle Ridge Winery
54301 N. Circle
5:00 pm

ORDER ANY TIME PRIOR TO
MONDAY 3/10

Food Distribution – Thurs. March 13th, 2025

MOUNTAIN AID
Need food or other items?
Want to help those who do?
Twice monthly food boxes for every budget.
By ordering a food box, you help pay for those who can’t pay.

Pick-up at Camp Maranatha
54162 Maranatha Dr.
www.MountainAid.net to order

Snow Plow/Shoveling Services

This list will move toward the bottom of Good Morning Idyllwild in the next issue so if you need it, look further down each newsletter in the “Need to Know” section.

Body & Soul

Click Here for a list of Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Meditation & Hypnosis in Idyllwild.

Emergency Radio Station

In Idyllwild, have a portable radio with batteries available and tune into WNKI AM 1610 Radio station for Emergency announcements in Idyllwild.

Delivery in Idyllwild

Bear Necessities Delivered
Groceries/Restaurant Food/Mail/Pharmacy/Etc.
Call or Text: (951) 512-0800
Available 7 Days a Week
Monday – Wednesday 11 am – 8 pm
Thursday – Sunday 8 am – 8 pm
Deliver to Idyllwild, Pine Cove & Mountain Center.

The New Bathrooms are OPEN!
Next door to the Idyllwild Gardens Nursery – Across the street from the Rustic Theatre.
Open Daily 9am – 5pm

Thank you to Shane & Ashley Stewart for donating the land for these bathrooms and to Stephanie Yost with ICC for her persistence with the County of Riverside to FINALLY get us public bathrooms. Thank you to the County of Riverside and Supervisor Manuel Perez for making this happen. It’s been a LONG time coming! Bathrooms will be locked at night.

Hotel Information
Upcoming Weekends
www.IdyLodging.com

Idyllwild Churches

All events, venues & programs run by
Idyllwild Community Center

Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall

Mondays
12-pm – 1pm

Tue/Wed/Thur
10am – 11am

Fridays
12-pm – 1pm

Wednesdays
Sing & Dance with Fran
Ages 2 – 5 years
Town hall
25925 Cedar St.
3:30 – 4:15
$5

Gymnastic Classes
Coming Soon…
Thursdays
Town Hall
4pm – 6pm

FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.

The Visitor Center is now open between the public bathrooms and Idyllwild Gardens on Saturdays & Sundays from 10am – 4pm.

If you would like to volunteer to talk to visitors, help them find their way and point them in the direction of “A Good Time” please contact me at hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com.