Days 24-26 - Zeros in Cabazon - PCT 2024
Miles Hiked: 0
Total Ascent: 0
Total Descent: 0
Day 24:
Civilization! A city! What is this foreign land? Haha! Being in the back of the Uber, heading down the interstate, it was a bit overwhelming. It hasn’t even been four weeks since starting the PCT and I feel like I’ve forgotten all about city life. Living in the wilderness, out of a backpack, there’s something special about that. My only goal is to walk to my next campsite. My sights are set on Canada, walking home if you will, but that’s far too big of a goal, so I keep it simple. One day at a time. One trail town at a time.
Cabazon is a weird place. It’s not like the previous trail towns I’ve visited. It’s bigger. It’s “real life.” The hustle and bustle. It’s loud and there’s a lot of traffic. I’m actually down the road in Banning but same deal.
I’ve had far too many zeros for it being this early on trail but we’ve had some gnarly weather. I was fully prepared to be holed up somewhere waiting out storms but I’m at the point where, as much as a warm bed, shower and laundry are enticing, I’d much prefer being back on trail. There’s a storm coming in on Friday but I also need to slow down to Big Bear to await my new pack. Patrick was game to hang out until Saturday in Cabazon. If we’re to go into Mission Creek, we need the best weather we can get.
If you’re unaware of the Mission Creek situation, tropical storm Hillary washed out huge portions of the PCT in 2023. Landslides and cliffs now block the trail. Instead of the gentle grade the PCT is known for, it’s become hazardous and dangerous with significant route finding necessary to complete the trek through. Many hikers are skipping this section and heading directly into Big Bear. Some hikers have forged a new path along a ridge line from mile 236 to 245 and although that doesn’t sound too bad, it has some seriously tough climbs.
If you know me, you know I love adventure, and I’m also a bit of a thrill seeker. So skipping this section isn’t an option; not until I go see it for myself. Like San Jacinto, with Apache Peak and Fuller Ridge being too dangerous to cross, I know when to say when. But, I also tried and I got pretty damn close. Heading back into the mountains to attempt Mission Creek is scary, but I strongly believe it’s doable with the proper precautions. I think a lot of people fear monger and I’m not about that. Patrick is skilled in route finding and back woods navigation and he’s reviewing topo maps to fully prepare. Of course we don’t know how the landscape has changed since last year, and with a lack of hikers in there this year, we don’t have much to go on. The most important thing is to avoid entering a situation or terrain where you can’t back out from. If you do something risky and get past it, great, but what happens if there’s riskier trail ahead? So ideally we’ll have a few options. We also know this section will be slow going. I’m all about taking things super slow. I get to see more and do more.
Anyway, today I spent the day relaxing. I called the United States Postal Service to bounce my Cabazon resupply box from Backcountry Foodie up to Wrightwood instead. They were so helpful and had no problem doing that over the phone, thankfully. This saved me a trip to the post office. I have a Walmart right near my hotel so I walked over there to pick up resupply items instead. It was the largest Walmart I’ve ever seen in my life! I spent far too much time just wandering around inside. I tried to take a dip in the outdoor pool at my hotel but the water was freezing so I aborted that mission and used the hot tub instead. My body is sore so the hot tub was a nice touch.
Day 25:
I’d be thrilled if my body would get over this work schedule thing. I’m still up by 6am every day. Even though I really don’t need to be. It’s frustrating. At least my hotel has a free hot breakfast. It satisfies hiker hunger, that’s for sure. As for work, it’s getting easier to put the work emails and messages down. I still check in while in town but I don’t bother while on trail anymore. Going from being a complete workaholic to not working was a serious adjustment. Not sure if anyone can relate.
Today was fun. Definitely sensory overload but fun nonetheless. Just over 4 miles off the PCT, in Cabazon, there’s a casino called Morongo Casino. If you stay in their hotel, you get access to a huge water park area complete with a lazy river. It’s expensive though. Patrick and I Ubered over there and spent a good chunk of the evening enjoying dinner, video poker, slots and drinks. I’m not much of a gambler but what an insane experience to have just off the PCT. Who says the trail has to be gruelling? I’m here for all of it. The trail and the trail towns. I ended up losing the whopping $5 I gambled with but I played for a good 2 hours before losing it all. 😅 Not too shabby! The smoking inside was a bit of a crazy experience in itself. I’m glad buildings are no-smoking in Canada. My poor lungs didn’t enjoy the second hand smoke. There’s also smoking rooms in California hotels which is just bizarre.
Day 26:
Today is the storm. It rained off and on today in Cabazon but the mountains are expected to get around four inches of snow. It’s a minor storm, thankfully, but a storm nonetheless and this is the storm we’ve been hanging out in Cabazon for waiting to pass. Tomorrow I’m back on trail and on route to Big Bear! I’m excited!
I’m just hanging out in my hotel today. Resting up for some hard miles over the next couple of days. Doing laundry, getting my pack ready and stretching. Not much going on and I’m loving it!
