Day 31

16.98 // 444.3

This morning we left camp at 7am trying to get to Acton early enough to pick up our boxes. This should be no problem. It was mostly downhill and pacing is good. We left with a crew of 9.

I was leading for the first 3 miles. I was feeling really good and going strong. I was listening to a playlist which is from my summer at Custer State Park. I very much enjoyed the space I gave myself and the soundtrack I had while hiking. We stopped for water at mile 4. Then hiked another 4 ish miles to a ranger station. There was no water there, but a nice man named provided some trail magic in the form of either Coke or Gatorade and a Rice Krispy treat!!! 

We hiked the rest of the afternoon with just one break in the shade with 4 miles to go. 

When we came off the trail a trail angel was ready and waiting with his pick up truck to take us to the KOA, to the grocery store if we wanted, and to a Mexican restaurant too!!!

We arrived at the LA RV Resort around 4 PM. We got our packages, checked out with some snacks/treats and a campsite. 

We set up our tent near a handful of others, went through our packages of supplies and my NEW SHOES.

We did laundry, swam briefly, showered and then 11 hikers rode (5 in the bed) with the trail angel to the restaurant.

It was a good meal, they handled our large group well. Then we got back, finished laundry, while Korean Karoake went on until 10 p.m., and got to bed late.

Day 32

14.62 // 458.5

I am surprised to say I had a good night sleep in that campground.

I got up about 6 am and went to the laundry room because that was the only place with an outlet. I charged for an hour and got my phone up to 64%, my Coros to 75%, and my power bank to the second bar.

We were planning on leaving around 8:30 am. We intended to hike through Aqua Dulce to Serenity Oasis, just a 10 mile day, so we were ok starting late.

We got a ride from the trail angel back to the trailhead and started hiking at 9am. 

The hike today was in the desert, no shade again, but the wind made it bearable. It was in the 70’s. I had good pace and felt good in my new shoes and footbeds.

We hiked for about 4 miles then took a break on top of a hill with cell service.

We hiked again and reached the Vasquez Rocks. This is where they filmed Gunsmoke, Blazing Saddles, and many other westerns. Also Planet of the Apes and Star Trek.  It was pretty cool and did look like another planet.

We made it to Aqua Dulce around lunch time. We ate at The Cowboy Tavern. It was delicious. I had an avocado burger, salad, fries and a Coke. We were talking about the next day being 24 miles long due to water carries. So we decided to resupply here and hike past Serenity Oasis to lessen the miles the next day.

We shopped at the store, repacked the food bags, then headed to the Oasis for protein and water. We got what we needed and were on the road again at 5 pm.

***This was how we ended up doing a HERO!!!*** Hero: going into a town, resupplying, and getting back on trail in the same day.

Hiking after 5 pm is much cooler!

We made it 4 miles and found a great spot for the 7 of us, so even though we intended to go further, we stopped, had dinner and are going to bed at a reasonable time so we can leave early for a 20 mile hike tomorrow.

We met a woman and her horse Lucky who live nearby. 🐎❤️

I feel strong.

My shoes feel good.

I like our group.

I bought Oreos and shared them at camp and said, “I’m starting to have fun thru-hiking.”

Day 33

20.25 // 478.3

Bob and I slept in just our inner net in the night. We were in a valley and the dew point was high so everything got were very wet. We were supposed to leave at 6:30 knowing it was going to be a 20 mile day to water. Bob and I didn’t leave until our down quilts were dry which was 7:30, after everyone else. 

We headed out and immediately were climbing. It was hot already and I was dripping sweat and struggling with having to leave late.

We hiked to the water at 5 miles and saw an Australian couple we haven’t seen since Idyllwild.  This water source was a lovely oasis with a pipe. Reportedly there is a bear that lives near and is active there too but we didn’t see it. 🐻

We hiked another 2 miles and came upon some MEMORIAL DAY TRAIL MAGIC!!!! 

We had hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, Gatorade, grapes, Cuties, beer and American flags. It was a great surprise, but we couldn’t stay too long as we still had 13 miles to go.

The second half of this day was HARD. I don’t know why. It wasn’t just me. 

I got slower as the day went on. The last miles dragged on. Twenty really is a long way to go and we keep going and going, because we need to…..

We finally reached our destination, the fire station, around 6pm. There ended up being a good number of tents/people camping here.

We got set up, had dinner around our tent with our tramily, and had a really wonderful visit.

Bob did a “puppet show”.😜

We went around and said what is our favorite piece of gear.

We made plans for the next three days for Hikertown to Tehachapi and the dreaded LA Aquaduct.

Day 34

16.27 // 493.4

I had the BEST NIGHT SLEEP on trail so far!!!!

I don’t know why as we were by a road, but I had my eye mask and my ear plugs in. It was perfect! And we were on level ground.

We left camp around 7:30 am and started with a long uphill…. As always. When you sleep in the valley, you climb in the morning.

We hiked 7.5 miles and came upon a creek. It was perfect! We were able to take our shoes and socks off and cool off in the creek. It was very refreshing. We had a snack and rested. We knew today was going to be only 16 miles.

We packed up and hiked another 2 miles to the next piped water source. I didn’t need water but I did get my shirt wet.

Hiking today, no shade, hot, not too many steep inclines, but a few.

I did start getting tired around mile 11. There was a FANTASTIC break spot with trees and shade and even a picnic table. We rested there for about an hour, then marched the last 4 miles to camp. I was slow. Bob was strong.

Camp is half a mile down a hill to an abandoned campground. When we were heading to the water source, I saw a distraught hiker and asked if he was ok. He said he just got stung by two bees. I dropped my pack, got out my tweezers and pulled them both out. They were each by one of his eyes. Then I gave him Cortisone and Benadryl for later.

I collected 4 liters of water (today I did not carry extra water). We set up camp, ate together at a picnic table and tried to decide how to handle the upcoming aquaduct section as well as the 90 degree plus temps expected Friday.

We think we have a plan. We have alternative plans if needed too.

We are a big group and we may need to do the aquaduct differently.

Happy trails,

Julie

@JulieandBobgoforahike