View Full Version : Hitching on Interstate 10 (into Cabazon, for example)
colorado_rob
03-24-2018, 16:36
I did try a search on here, couldn't find anything, so here's my question:
How tough is it to hitch on, say, Interstate 10 in southern CA? I see that hitching in CA is technically illegal (like a lot of states), but I suppose it's tolerated most of the time.
However, hitching while standing on an interstate highway might be a whole 'nuther ball game for our CHIPS pals.... A ramp is one thing, but just standing on a shoulder if there's no nearby ramp?
Any wise words on interstate highway hitching while on the PCT? I was thinking about a resupply in Cabazon, a 4.5 mile walk, argh.
Edit: I see now there is a ramp a bit to the east on I10 form the PCT crossing, and a frontage road, but I still would appreciate any CA hitching words of wisdom.
LuckyMan
03-24-2018, 16:41
Much easier to hitch at the ramp, which I was about to do when a trail angel who has been active since Z&B closed drove up and offered me and some other hikers a ride to resupply.
Slo-go'en
03-24-2018, 16:49
Hitching on the side of an interstate or on ramp is generally frowned upon. Ever stand on the side of a highway with people passing by a 80 MPH?
The only one to stop would be a trooper and then your in trouble.
There's a service road paralleling the Interstate. One can hitch on that or walk to a nearby convenince store/gas station and resupply/supplement or talk up a ride if wanting to travel further. If going NOBO there's a short cut through a development by going off trail down a rocky slope at the end of one the long winding switchbacks. Find someone to get a ride from leaving the development.
Hitching on freeways can be a little unhealthy.
MuddyWaters
03-24-2018, 16:56
I recalls pedestrian use of interstate being illegal .
So you can only hitch off of it, access points
Hitching on interstates is illegal. Don't even hitch on ramps. Most ramps have signs stating restrictions such as banning pedestrian use. Don't attempt to hitch near these signs.
If the trail crosses under/over the highway it stands to reason that the trail crosses the service road at grade level.
Sounds like there are trail angles in the area. I bet Scout & Frodo can help with information.
Wayne
Back when Ziggy & The Bear were operating few seemed to have any inclination to hitch the I-10. I imagine that now it is a different ballgame, of course the option is to hike from Idyllwild to Big Bear which isn't an unreasonably long carry imo.
If the trail crosses under/over the highway it stands to reason that the trail crosses the service road at grade level.
Sounds like there are trail angles in the area. I bet Scout & Frodo can help with information.
Wayne
If you hitch on a freeway, you could become a different kind of trail angel. Don't do it.
If the trail crosses under/over the highway it stands to reason that the trail crosses the service road at grade level.
Sounds like there are trail angles in the area. I bet Scout & Frodo can help.
...hike from Idyllwild to Big Bear which isn't an unreasonably long carry imo.
If you hitch on a freeway, you could become a different kind of trail angel. Don't do it.
Yup yup and yup
Or get screamed at, something thrown at you, searched, ticketed, ride in the back of a cruiser,...this hitch is where an ice cream cone was thrown at me. Got a ride right after. As my ride was pulling into the gas station I just missed physically confronting the a holes as they(3 young dushbag drinking males) were departing in a jeep.
colorado_rob
03-24-2018, 18:36
I'm hearing y'all on the "no I-10 hitch" thing! I did hitch once on an Interstate along the AT though (I-80-something?), seemed reasonable.
Anyway, really dumb question, not obvious in my sparse PCT info, how does one get into Idyllwild? Looks like a long side trail, maybe 4 miles or more? Forgive my PCT ignorance, last minute thing cropped up allowing me to do this, plus my body is still on a 19 hour time-zone-shift thing.
Edit: never mind, finally found some excellent info on resupply in SOCAL.
I'm hearing y'all on the "no I-10 hitch" thing! I did hitch once on an Interstate along the AT though (I-80-something?), seemed reasonable.
Hey, I used to hitchhike on interstates too! But that was when I was young, indestructible, and knew everything. Now, I'm old and feeble and don't know half as much! :)
I'm hearing y'all on the "no I-10 hitch" thing! I did hitch once on an Interstate along the AT though (I-80-something?), seemed reasonable.
Anyway, really dumb question, not obvious in my sparse PCT info, how does one get into Idyllwild? Looks like a long side trail, maybe 4 miles or more? Forgive my PCT ignorance, last minute thing cropped up allowing me to do this, plus my body is still on a 19 hour time-zone-shift thing.
Edit: never mind, finally found some excellent info on resupply in SOCAL.
As you cross 243 across from Anza Borrega most get easy hitches into idylwild. Its a bigger PCT trail town than Cabazon. Hitch back or take the steep cut off out of Idylwild. I had to take the cut off once because of trail closure from fires...started by a hiker. I've never done it but there's a tram atop San Jacinto that I've known a few intrepid PCTERS take into town palm Springs to resupply.
AllDownhillFromHere
03-24-2018, 20:18
I've read that if you're hitching on I-10 you might as well go to Palm Springs vs. Cabazon.
Your pack is virtually weightless. How far is it from Idyllwild to Big Bear? Go for it.
Wayne
Cabazon has a casino and an outlet mall. Gucci even. The PCT must be east of Cabazon.
One hiker’s trip from Idyllwild to Big Bear. Don’t skimp on food like he did.
https://ahikeinthewoods.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/idyllwild-to-big-bear/
Have a great hike!
Wayne
colorado_rob
03-24-2018, 23:43
Your pack is virtually weightless. How far is it from Idyllwild to Big Bear? Go for it.
Wayne HAh! It is, but unfortunately, I'm not.
Thanks all for setting this PCT rookie straight! It's all clear now, resupply in Warner, Idyllwild then Big Bear. Forget Cabazon. Not sure what I was thinking.
Some do a quickie into and out of Cabazon to supplement(to offset water wt), get into some shade on the north side of San Jacinto(I've seen PCTers hiding near heat stroke in the I 10 tunnel until the late afternoon to get it), and get some decent drinking water. You'll maybe understand when you hike through here if it's in the high 90's while you're frying like an egg on the pavement.:cool:
The mile high city of CO in April it is not!
BuckeyeBill
03-25-2018, 00:18
You could try asking people at area truck stops. No chance of a ticket/arrest, get hit by someone or something and most people usually pretty friendly. Besides most major truck stops have showers so you can clean up, they have coin op laundry, you can grab a decent meal and may catch a ride with someone. It helps if you don't smell like dirty socks that haven't been washed in 6 months and smile even if they say they can't help you. Thank them any ways.
Regarding getting into Idyllwild, due to the trail closure most people seem to hitch from the paradise valley cafe. I did the long road walk because I wanted to maintain a solid set of footprints from the Mexican border. It's not a fun road walk.
PVC is at the 243 crossing. Some het water there
AllDownhillFromHere
03-25-2018, 07:27
Regarding getting into Idyllwild, due to the trail closure most people seem to hitch from the paradise valley cafe. I did the long road walk because I wanted to maintain a solid set of footprints from the Mexican border. It's not a fun road walk.
The trail isn't closed, you can get all the way to mile 169, and there's an off-road 6 mile walk into town. People use the _idea_ of the closure to justify the hitch.
The trail isn't closed, you can get all the way to mile 169, and there's an off-road 6 mile walk into town. People use the _idea_ of the closure to justify the hitch.
The trail was indeed closed shortly after the highway junction heading Nobo in 2015. I did the road walk to the point where I could take the off road route into town which I recall began somewhat after the campground at lake hemet.
Plenty of people hitch to get past bad spots and that's ok. Personally I am always looking for an unbroken walk on longer hikes.
I tried to cross 243 to ascend San Jacinto in 06. Authorities stopped me.
Your pack is virtually weightless. How far is it from Idyllwild to Big Bear? Go for it.
Wayne
I did Warner Springs to Big Bear but the closures Idylwild is not far off the beaten path. If you haven't downloaded Halfmiles map do it, it will answer the specific route in.