Daily Miles: 17.8, Total Miles: 720.6 I enjoyed a big breakfast burrito at the general store and mailed the ice axe home – hope I don’t regret it but saves a few ounces. On the trail by 10am and hiked along the South Fork Kern River and into the South Sierra Wilderness. I passed into Monache Meadows, Buck Meadows and crossed the river again in a pleasant spot with grassy banks. I could see trout swimming upstream and I know…
Daily Miles: 4.5, Total Miles: 702.8 Short distance this morning so had a rare two cups of coffee with my oatmeal. An easy hike into Kennedy Meadows and I was in time for a proper breakfast at the general store cafe. The owners let hikers camp nearby so we can spend more at the store and cafe and it worked today – breakfast, Gatorade, soda, cheeseburger for lunch, a few beers in the afternoon, ice cream (OK, it was hot),…
Daily Miles: 25.4, Total Miles: 698.3 The best night’s sleep yet on the trail – a quiet and still night helped. I headed around the canyon along the contour before dropping down to Canebrake Road and Chimney Creek. I found a cache of Orange Crush and Tecate with Elizabeth and 5-Star arriving just in time to join me for the refreshments. The trail then climbed about 2,500 ft to 8,000 ft elevation – stopped about midway for water and lunch…
Daily Miles: 21.5, Total Miles: 672.9 I got to the Walker Pass TH about 9am and trail angels were cooking breakfasts and early lunches for hikers. I had already eaten so headed up the trail into the Owens Peak Wilderness. Nice hike around the contours of a few peaks and then dropped down to get water at Joshua Tree Spring. Apparently the water is not recommended due to high uranium content but I figured OK for a few liters –…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 651.4 The usual trail town routine – clean gear, go to the post office, talk to family, wash clothes and eat. Took the long walk to Nelda’s Diner for dinner, 2-page menu for milkshakes alone. Had a Windjammer with my chili burger – a combination of cherry vanilla, Butterfinger, chocolate and crunch. Well worth the walk and highly recommended! On the way back to the motel, I dropped into the grocery store to get breakfast…
Daily Miles: 20.0, Total Miles: 651.4 Another much appreciated water cache (thanks Mary!) at Bird Spring Pass before entering Sequoia National Forest and climbing to 7,000 ft. The wind still blowing but trees gave some protection. One of the highlights of the day was catching a glimpse of the Sierras, Mt Whitney and Owens Peak in the distance. Sign of good things to come. I arrived at my destination of Walker Pass CG and proceeded to get myself presentable for…
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…
