Cabazon

4/27 -
Day 17 Yesterday was the team's first zero mile day. At the Hiker's Oasis in Anza everything gets taken care of. Kate and Jonny got their chickens. Things were mailed. Boots were greased. Group photos were taken. Emails were sent. Pat sewed silk liner bags for Maria and Ezra who were coveting Kate's. She also sewed Jonny's shorts. Bios were written.

Last night people a day or two behind us began arriving. The dog boys, who we last saw on day two, came in with the dogs on the camp golf cart (not to be confused with the Oasis' Hikermobile). Later we met Mark from Scotland and John (from Atlanta?). Mr. Bill brought cake and ice cream and knew all our names. Today they took their rests with Paul and Pat at their true Oasis in Southern California. Paul and Meadow Ed drove the menacing vegetable troop back where they left the PCT on Pines-to-Palms Highway 74.

Photo today of the spot where I took my noon-hours rest today. Next photo of the gated fence just before the saddle on the Desert Divide. The gate is held closed by a string and a rusty wire hook that just barely reach. Photo of cool pine cone. Photo of an old dead tree. Met our first hikers on the trail today. Brad from N. Carolina. Dough and Krista and their dog.

4/28 -
Day 18 Photo of Kate's prayer flags. Photo of first snow. B&W of a fallen tree blocking the switchbacked trail twice.

I had thought that yesterday had been the most difficult and the most beautiful day of the hike so far. Today has far surpassed that in both respects. We are camped close to 8,400 feet, about 2,000 feet higher than last night, but the day's hike was a 16 mile roller coaster ride along the desert divide. We crossed many peaks and crests, each one rewarding us with views of San Jacinto Peak, Palm Springs thousands of feet below, and the precipitous rock-walled canyons that nearly bisect the range. Along the way, we encountered our first real forest since the Laguna Mountains, fantastic rock formations reminiscent of the High Sierra, our first snow of the trip. The last 2 miles of the trail, above 8,000 feet on a north facing slope, thick drifts covering the forest floor. Due to a failed "shortcut," a long detour for water, I hiked close to 19 miles today and was ready to collapse by the time I reached camp. -Ez

4/29 -
Day 19 Is about 8:30 am and Ez and I just made a crack at climbing Tahquiz Peak, an 8,000 foot peak with a lookout tower on top. As I headed off the PCT, the first thing I noticed was that the summit trail was completely under snow. But there were steps along the path so I figured I'd follow them and see what I could find. What I found, maybe a ¼ mile down the trail, was a steep slope of icy snow dropping many hundreds of feet into a canyon below. I made one short traverse over such a section, realized that were I to slip there weren't many options for stopping (collisions with trees, rocks, etc.), and decided I had reached the ubiquitous Point Turn Around. For those who know Ez and I, you will note that this is a frequently encountered landmark on our mountain climbing attempts. Another summit eludes me. Of Tahquiz Peak the guidebook says it "commemorates a legendary Cahvilla Indian who lived hereabouts dining on unsuspecting maidens and, when displeased, giving the weather a turn for the worse." -Ben

Photo of Ben with Tahquiz Peak in the background. You might be able to make out the sketchy trail on the slope. This may be a good photo for the bio.

Perhaps the most incredible day yet. Left Cedar Spring.

Favorite email so far: "If you continue to put that dirty smut on your site I'm not even going to log on."

4/30 -
Day 20 Unilever's acquisition of Ben & Jerry's has been a frequent topic of conversation around the potluck table. We are all pretty depressed about the demise of our favorite company. I wonder-will their ice cream suck now that its only purpose is to line the pockets of faceless mega-corporate drones? Will they discontinue every flavor except for "World's Worst Vanilla?" I'm worried.-EZ

We summited Jacinto this morning in brilliant sunshine! 10,800 feet, the highest point on the trail so far, and we had the summit almost entirely to ourselves while we lounged around and enjoyed the view. Only 8 trail miles yesterday. Today it's 3:00 p.m. and we haven't moved an inch down the trail today. 25 miles 'til the next water.-EZ

High adventure along the E.C.T. (Ezra Crest Trail): As we descend from Mt. San Jacinto, I see a water tank 1,000 feet down the slope, over 4 miles away by trail. Impatient with the PCT's gentle grade, I bomb down the side, crashing through brush and scrambling over rock ledges until I reach the tank, sweltering hot and drenched with sweat. Soaking my shirt and pouring cold water over my head was one of the best sensual experiences I can recall. As I walked down the road afterwards, I was surprised to see a huge snarling Rottwieler running at me, snapped back by the end of its chain. From a nearby house, I heard a female voice yelling, "You're trespassing! Leave now or I'm calling the police!" and the dog was barkin' up a frenzy and straining at it's chain. I guess I wasn't on the PCT anymore. Anyhow, that's some Southern (California) hospitality for you. -Ez

5/1 -
Day 21 Yesterday's afternoon hike along fuller ridge was one of those moments where I wish I could stretch time out to infinity, to explore every inch, appreciate every view, identify every tree and plant at my leisure. The temperature was absolutely perfect. The slanting afternoon light lit up the snowy north face of Jacinto and the enormous spreading sugar pines around us. Only the top of San Gorgonio Mountain, backlit and and floating above the smoggy haze, was visible, defying gravity. We all hiked until sunset, then individually set up camps in or just off the trail as night time enveloped us. -Ez

Our alpine respite has ended and it is back to the scorching desert. Since yesterday's summit we have dropped 7,500 feet and still have 1,500 to go. I'm currently hiding under a rock with Ez waiting for the hottest hours to pass. Despite the temperature, the descent has been gorgeous, winding through desert in full bloom-brodea, California poppy, yucca, yerba santa, brittlebrush, and beavertail (to name a few) are in peak blossom. All this with the stunning north face of Jacinto looming in the background. -Ben

We are now at the lowest elevation of the trail south of the Oregon/Washington border-1,725 feet. This just a day after summiting San Jacinto-10,804 feet. Last night Jonny picked a beautiful campsite for us. We saw the sunset (kinda through all the smog). The sunrise was facing the north face of Jacinto. We could also see immense traffic and city sprawl in the desert valley below us-Highway 10. Tonight we have, hopefully, the worst campsite ever. Though warm and comfortably breezy, we sleep just 1/10 mile from Highway 10. We will all have trouble sleeping. On the upside we will be able to hop right into Cabazon tomorrow for resupply, showers, and TOWN FOOD! : )-Maria

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