Tehachapi to Kennedy Meadow South

Tehachapi Zero

It’s Zero day! They are the best, especially when you’re in a house full of friends. I slept so good for a change. The ABNB had a hot tub which was wonderful last night. Had a hard time finding a ride into town. Finally got ahold of the local community transport center and was able to get a bus that came right to the house. Hung out at a German bakery and had pastries and coffee. Then walked to a Chinese buffet that had all you could eat. We were all so stuffed we could barely walk. Made it to Walmart for resupply. Some of the people that were from other countries had never been to a Walmart and they were very impressed. Got the bus back to the ABNB and had a nice Lithuanian meal made by ducky which was really awesome.

Beautiful meadow of flowers along the trail

Deer greater me at my camp site

Next morning, had to say goodbye to the gang I’ve been hiking with for 500 miles. We had some great memories I’ll never forget. It was especially hard saying goodbye to to Indre and Antanas who I’ve spent a lot of time with. It was a pretty uneventful day of hiking, stopped at 19 miles and saw friend Gil and Tom-Tom. We had dinner together and turned in early.

The gang I’ve been traveling with

Cold, Windy and Lot of Climbing

Very windy night. The wind blew in a silt layer of dust over everything. Everything I have is so dirty!  It was a pretty brutal day for hiking. Walked in fog most the day. It was windy and cold, I never took my wind jacket off. And then if that wasn’t bad enough, I think there was 6k feet of climbing during the day, then it rained. Made it about 23 miles. I was beat! My music helped get me through. Today’s album was The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Dirt Silver and Gold album.

Cold and foggy morning

Rain and Water Caches

Rained all night and it might have even snowed a little. My tent did well, no leaks. Got up at 4:30, wanted to be out by 6:00, made it out by 6:15. Great morning hike through a beautiful, flat, pine forest. Perfect hiking! Then just when you’re digging the pines, you’re back out in the exposed desert. Thankfully it was a cloudy day and the sun wasn’t too intense. Im hiking a very dry section. Im in a 40 mile stretch without a water source. Luckily some trail angels put out a couple water caches. So I had one at 10 miles and one at 27. There are none for 20 miles tomorrow. Picked up another blister on my heel which stinks. My shoes are wearing out and I think some of my shoe liner came out which caused the blister. There are two things hikers stress about. Holes in the air mattress and your shoes coming apart on trail. I already have a tear in the side of one of my shoes so I’m watching them closely.

An Inspirational Day of Hiking

Took my time this morning getting going. 21 mile day planned, looked like a pretty easy day. My foot issues were kind of holding my speed back but it was such a beautiful hike I didn’t mind taking it easy. I didn’t see a single human for all 21 miles. It was just me, Mother Earth and Father Sun exclusively together for the day, I had them all to myself. Mother Earth gave me the most beautiful, colorful trail to hike. The recent rains have really brought out the colors. I would have thought I was walking in heaven if my feet weren’t hurting. I’m thinking your feet won’t hurt in heaven..could be wrong. Being outdoors is my church and makes me feel closer to the creator. Days like this are so inspirational and I feel so lucky to be witness to such beauty.

Trail Angel at Walker Pass

When I got to Walker Pass there was a trail angel named Sergio. He had cold drinks! I had an ice cold coke and a Gatorade. I drank them in like 2 seconds. Sergio asked if we would like a ride into town and to stay the night. I’ve always heard of people getting hosted by trail angels at their house but have never been offered the opportunity. Myself and 2 others said heck yeah, especially since it started to sprinkle. Sergio drove us to town and we ate pizza and had a beer at his ex-wife’s restaurant.Then we went to his house and got showers and did a load of laundry. I had so much dirt coming off me in the shower. I don’t know where it was coming from.

Trail Angel Sergio was great

Got up and got my stuff packed up about 6:00. Sergio works at a local hotel in the kitchen. He said sometime people go into the hotel and act like guests and get their continental breakfast so… Sergio picked up some other hikers while we ate. Got to the trail about 8:00. Was only planning on doing 17 miles but ended up doing about 22. We had lots of climbing today. I think we did at least 5k feet of elevation. As we get closer to the Sierras, I’m noticing the mountains are getting more sharper and not seeing as many desert plants. Also noticing lots of small annoying flys. Actually had to pull my head-net out for the first time. They were very annoying. Ended the day on a 2k foot mountain top, everything felt good.

End of the Desert with Sierras in Sight

After 5 straight 20 plus miles days and lots of elevation gain and losses, my body was done. First of all, I had to drag myself out of bed. Then I had a 2k foot elevation gain I really struggled with. There were no clouds in the sky so the sun was really intense. Luckily there was an occasional light wind that kept things bearable. Most of the day I just had to grind it out and really didn’t have a great hike. One thing that was pretty cool was at the end of the day I got my first sighting of the snow capped Sierra mountains. Everyone has a lot of excitement and nervous energy about hiking through them. We heard early reports that the snow was insane but that was a few weeks ago. We should start hearing more reports about how fast they are melting soon as more people start making their way through. Got to camp early after 20 miles, seemed like I was going slow but somehow made good time. Had a nice little campfire with some Germans and a couple people I’ve been camping with the last couple days (Shepard and Free Dog). This will be my last night of the desert section and last night on trail for a couple weeks. I will going home for the birth of my second grandchild. When I come back I will consider if I want to go to the Sierras or flip to north cal and knock that section out while it’s cool and let the Sierras melt some. More to come.

Kennedy Meadows South

Thought I was sleeping in today since I only had a 9 mile hike to Kennedy Meadows South. My alarm was still set for 5:30 and it woke me up. Still took my time getting out of camp. I had a very nice campsite along a creek so I could hear water running all night which was very comforting. The 9 miles into Kennedy Meadows was super cruisie and I felt like I kinda floated there. Wow, the 700 miles trek across the desert was done. I got picked up on the road by the driver of Grumpy’s. Went to the General store and picked up my ice axe. When I got to Grumpy’s I got reunited with several people I hadn’t seen in a week and it was wonderful catching up with them. None of Kennedy Meadows was not what I expected. I thought we would have this beautiful grass pasture to camp in but nope, dirt tent pads with a lot of junk laying around. Seems to be the theme on the PCT. Everything here feels very temporary which makes sense I guess since the area is under snow half the year. Still there is such a cool view since almost everyone there are hikers. I knew most people here and those I didn’t know, we quickly got acquainted. The rest of the day was visiting and getting chores done like showering and laundry. As more hikers came in it turned into a full on party. It was really great getting together before everyone takes off through the Sierras. Those that all leaving tomorrow where spending the day trying to get 6 days of food in a bear canister, it was pretty funny to watch. Most people getting ready to go were excited but also intimidated by what they were about to do. The temps are forecast to drop in the teens and there is a lot of snow to traverse. I’m glad I’m not going for a couple weeks. Thru hikers are a special breed of people. Most are a little crazy but are some of the toughest people I have ever met. They are capable of the most amazing physical challenges.

Sunrise breakfast on top the mountain for last day in the desert

This will be my last blog entry for a few weeks while I go home for the birth of grandchild number 2. I’m so looking forward to seeing family and friends and to recharge for the next phase of the journey!