[pct-l] Hwy 74, Idyllwild, Cabazon

[palomino.pct at gmail.com]

This info dates back to 2001, but I hope some of it can be helpful this year. When my partner and I got to the Paradise Cafe, it was closed, but it was an easy hitch west to Anza. We had a box at the P.O. there and stayed with Paul and Pat, the Anza trail angels from that era. Because I haven't heard them mentioned in a long time, I am guessing they are no longer "in business." Anza may no longer be a good resupply option. Bear was one of my favorite trail characters...hope all is well.

Fallingwater was there for a visit and he gave us a ride back to the TH the next day. I loved the hike from 74 to Saddle Junction...great views, blasting winds, tough off-trail water sources, very little snow that year, just good hard hiking and a nice contrast as others have said. Try not to miss it unless it is closed by the authorities. 

My partner was having knee problems, so we bailed down Devil's Slide and easily got a ride into town and back after she got some doctoring. Eckert drove all the way from San Diego to help us get to a doctor!

Fuller Ridge was no problem that year. I want to say that the descent to Snow Creek should not be underestimated, though. Carry a lot of water because the trail is very exposed and the change from 60 degrees to 100+ can really rock you. 

We made the same mistake that Diane described to get to Cabazon, going north under I-10 and walking west on Tamarack Rd...dead end. After re-tracing our steps, we hitched a ride to the little convenience store a couple of miles west on the frontage road. At that time, they had great roast beef sandwiches, plus all the usual junk items. We had plenty of food, but I was extremely dehydrated, so the stop was good for gatorade and extra snackage.

We went into a scary Quentin Tarentino dive bar around the corner and secured a ride back to the TH with a bizarre  vulture of a man for ten bucks. This is not recommended! I was pretty sure we were going to end up butchered in a dry gulch somewhere, but it turned out okay. 
We walked up the trail to the now defunct Pink Motel and enjoyed the company of beautiful sane hikers ( Brawny, Dave and Jerry, Tom and Marnie, others) until the Sun eased up a bit and we moved on. Eventually, we made it to VVR that season. 

If all goes well, I will finish my section hike of the trail this year. I hope to do the entire trail over again for my 60th birthday. My unsolicited advice is to walk as close to all the trail as you safely can in the year or years you are hiking. 
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