Day 16: Tent Site @ mile 186 to Cabazon

Date: 23.04.2018

Miles Hiked Today: 21 miles

Total Mileage: Mile 207 

High Evaluation: 200 meters 

Low Evaluation: 2173 meters 

Today is going to be a big hiking day. We camped near by Mount Joacinta, so on a quite high altitute and we have to go all the way down back to the desert which is a downhill climb of more than 2000 meters! And it is going to be an other very hot day. We moved on very well and the miles are flying by in the morning. However, the day became hotter and hotter, and our knees weaker and weaker. Downhill hiking with a big and heavy backpack full of water and Food is hard work. There was no water source for about 22 miles and we each carried about 7 Liters the night before. But as soon as the sun comes out the Temperatures increase dramatically. At 9 am if feels already like in an oven. It is very important you make sure to keep dehydrated. 

The morning was still fine as we were still quite high up in altitue and the trees of the forest provided enough shade. But as soon as we left the forest the heat kicked in. No shade could be found as only some bushed and nice flowers cover the terrain. 

At lunch time we creeped under a bush to get some shade but soon moved on  in the hope too find a better spot as the shade provided was to little. We eventually did find a better spot, which provided better shade and even a nice little breeze. 

Time for lunch and a short rest. Its only a couple of miles until we reach the 200 miles maker! But the heat and the all day long downhill walking wore on me. I needed more little breaks and I coud feel some blisters coming with my new shoes. All we wanted is to reach the bottom of that valley and as fast as possible. The views very stunnning though. Hiking in the hot heat, looking up at Mount Joacinta which peak is still covered in snow  and looking down at the even hotter and dryer desert with its wind mills. We were being warned that at mile 202 there is a big bee swarm and that we either shall cover up or run. Well we kind of forgot about this at mile 202 but luckily also didnt get attacked by them. We were just walking behing a group of men (slow) and waited to pass them. I noticed that they suddendly moved hands and arms to fight them off but only when we passed9 u88 they said that they tried to fight off the bees and we noticed that we just passed the nee warm! I guess all the bees were busy attacking the 3 men and did nit Care about us anymore. lucky for us! Later that day when we reached the water faucet we were told by some bee attacks and bee stings (Philly dropped off her backpack and run away, marc got stung by a bee in the finger while holding his umbrella and dropped the umbrella...)! 

However, Joanne nearly stepped onto a rattlesnake soaking up the afternoon sun right in the middle of the trail. We could hardly make her move. We tried with throwing little stones close to her, step hard on the path,  used our Poles to make noise and vibrations and then finally she decided to move a little off the Trail. Thank you! The last couple of miles my feed and knee started hurting badly and I put on loud music to make the miles fly by faster. Around 5:30pm we made it to the Water faucet, thank god! There, we heard about the In-N-Out in cabazon, a little town not far from us. I have never been in an In-N-Out before but americans promise it to be the best fast Food. We actually wanted to hike 2 more miles and pitch our tents under a Bridge (wind protection). But when we arrived there we could not find a Bridge anywhere! The Bridge is at the interstate road 2 more miles ahead of us! No way we are walking 2 more miles today. I called up an Uber to pick us up and dropp us off at the In-N-Out in and organised a Hotel for the night in Banning. Also Rahel and her mum stayed with us.  The In-N-Out was delicious even though we shocked all other guests by our smell and look! An other uber brought us to the Hotel. Freshly showered and smelling good again we felt into our beds! What a day!