May 14
Mile 235
25 miles today
A sleepless night due to the constant pummeling wind was balanced by the breakfast spread laid out by Ziggy and Bear. This selfless couple moved to Cabazon and bought the closest possible house to the trail solely to provide refuge to hikers during a difficult stretch of the trail. A donation box exists but is never mentioned. They only ask that a postcard is sent if Canada is reached. Bear said that this is a record year for hikers as 600 had passed thru to date, with another 100 expected. I was present when the 600th hiker arrived. He was promptly awarded a Canadian 20 dollar bill Motivation defined.
I left early and began to climb up a canyon past the Mesa wind farm. The sun rose behind the giant wind turbines, their blades daring birds to take a shot at passage. Revolving shadows sliced the trail as I moved upward, serenaded by their strange hum.
Windmills chasing the sun
Crossed a high ridge, saw a striped racer snake, a gopher snake and a zebra tailed lizard. The dropped down into a wide canyon with a genuine flowing stream. Even had a shallow swim then back up and over the next ridge, where I had a curious conversation by renewing my cell phone plan with an operator in India while strolling a remote section of the PCT. Yet another drop into a Cottonwood canyon with stream. Fifteen miles of walking and an ever rising thermometer convinced me and everyone else that passed that way, that shade/lunch was in order.
Skinless tree
One of these doesn’t belong next to the other
Between naps I became convinced that a swimming hole existed on this river because there was a big blue circle on the map. I set out to find it while other stayed in the shade. For 7 miles I crisscrossed the stream to its bitter end with no luck. The best I could do in the 100-degree heat was dunk my hat in the lukewarm water. Nothing wrong with a quest.
Three miles up a dry side canyon developed water concerns which were not to be. A campsite shaded by stubborn Oaks with a stream that ended 200 yards down site was home for the night. Water provides all that is needed in the desert.
Snow Plant
Steve Halteman
On the Pacific Crest Trail
Hiking the PCT for the Kids of Escuela Verde
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Hey bro – after 3 days of not hearing from you i was wondering exactly how the search and rescue portion of the trip was going to proceed, but alas all is well. just got back from the Joshua Tree Music Festival this weekend with the girls. mad and i played count the naked boobies – it can truly be said they do come in all shapes and sizes.. j was a hit given she danced up front the whole time like nobody was watching – my little hippie. Always thinking of you bro and keep it up, only 2,000+ more miles to go! XOXO JIll
ATTENTION JEFFREY CARTER – if you read this, i am coming to South America with Mad and 2 of my friends (who are actually my bosses) from the grand canyon crew (I don’t always travel, but when i do, i bring my supervisors) we will be all over the place for a month, but will be in your area – Sao Paulo on 6/22 – i have tried to email you with negative results – please get a hold of me asap @ Jilliam@hotmail.com