Daily Miles: 27.2, Total Miles: 631.4 The day started well with a relatively flat stroll through a forest of pines, black oaks and live oaks. I descended to a water cache at Kelso Road and vegetation was now more typical of desert. Then the winds started again in earnest and didn’t let up for the rest of the day. I battled the wind along ridges and crestline saddles all the way to Bird Spring Pass. I found shelter just back…
Daily Miles: 20.8, Total Miles: 604.2 The tent somehow held together in the howling, gusting winds. Ear plugs allowed me to get a little sleep. No coffee this morning because the wind would blow out the flame on the stove. I stocked up at Golden Oaks Spring just down the trail. Several hikers camped around here last night, most I know from earlier on the trail. The trail wound through another set of wind turbines planted on the ridgetops. Much…
Daily Miles: 25.1, Total Miles: 583.4 The Good – I feel fine after my bout with giardia! I made it to the next water at Golden Oaks Spring. Good views of the Mohave Desert, Edwards Air Force Base and the Tehachapi Mountains to the south. The Bad – the first eight miles through cowpies and wind turbines. Even worse was the next few miles paralleling Highway 58. And the Ugly – the constantly blowing and gusting winds, nearly knocking me…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 558.3 On my first zero day in Tehachapi, I got a taxi to the post office and ran some errands. The town is pretty spread out. About noon, I started feeling tired and queasy – hate to get sick but at least I’m in a motel. I spent most of the next two days running between the bed and the toilet. My body felt like a small, smelly power plant. I got to a doctor…
Daily Miles: 31.3, Total Miles: 558.0 I woke up on my concrete platform this morning about 3am and I could see several constellations without my glasses and I’m nearly blind without them. I did put them on and enjoyed the show. Early day because I’m expecting a lot of sun on a long trek. I continued following the aqueduct and loaded up with water at a water cache where the PCT departs the aqueduct. I headed into the Tehachapi Mountains…
Daily Miles: 28.2, Total Miles: 527.0 Uphill in the morning to the Liebre Mountain summit and then a long descent to the Antelope Valley floor. Next was Hiker Town, more of a commercial affair but caters to thru-hikers with inexpensive lodging, snacks, showers and water. I stopped in, had lunch in a recliner, and cooled off with a couple of Gatorades and a large bowl of ice cream. Several other hikers were there with the same idea. I left late…
Daily Miles: 20.2, Total Miles: 498.8 The morning tradition at the Anderson’s is a pancake breakfast. Joe served me the first two off the griddle since I was first up. The other tradition is a photo of the departing hikers which includes a big surprise. I wouldn’t be giving anything away by saying it involves Terry Anderson and the luna(r) cycle. Terry gave Spoons, Brooke (now Peanut Butter Platypus). Splits, Two Step and myself a ride out to the TH…
Daily Miles: 24.2, Total Miles: 478.6 The PCT goes right through Agua Dulce, so convenient to stop at the Sweetwater Cafe and have a big breakfast. I hiked up two large hills including the “Z” trail out of Agua Dulce. I also enjoyed two water caches, one with soft drinks on ice! Finally got down to a ranger station and road going into Green Valley. I met a local couple who offered the two-mile ride to Casa de Luna, home…
Daily Miles: 10.2, Total Miles: 454.4 I had a leisurely morning drying things out with only ten miles to go today. The KOA manager came out and served me coffee at my picnic table – quite the service for a $5 stay! I then had a nice stroll through colorful Vazquez Rocks with cool rock formations – back in snake country too! Got to Agua Dulce and had a big lunch with Will, Roadrunner and Brooke. I checked into the…
Daily Miles: 25.5, Total Miles: 444.2 I opted to take a ten-mile alternative route up a closed road to Mt Gleason and Messenger Flats to avoid the dreaded poodle dog bushes – a recommendation from the Mill Creek fire crews. On the way, I passed a very well done memorial to two firefighters who lost their lives in the Station Fire. A devastating fire but wildflowers in the next section were the best and most colorful yet. Good views of…
