Today’s hike took us into Walker Pass campground by lunchtime. We started early, as Dolittle’s mom was coming to resupply the boys for the two days into Kennedy Meadows and we didn’t want to keep her waiting. I’d struggled with sore tendons for a couple of days, but uphill hiking of any gradient is now pretty painful and slow. Downhill…
Today was the first properly hot day I’ve had on trail. The weather has been gradually warming up over the past couple of days, although we’ve had some respite from the wind and the trees. The morning today was a bit like that, starting out in the forest, but the trail soon emerged into the open and I was reminded…
The alarm at 4.45am is getting more offensive as time goes by. I love hiking early when it’s not too hot and miles go by quickly, but I’m getting tired and would appreciate more sleep on occasion. This morning, I awoke to condensation on my sleeping bag, and remembered that one of my major fears on the trail is getting…
The planned early start fell by the wayside quickly; the prospect of a hotel breakfast and the failure to arrange a ride to the trail yesterday combined to delay our departure from Tehachapi until around 8.30am, which meant hiking after 9am. It’s definitely warmer by then, and the temperatures have been rising as predicted. The stretch from mile 566 where…
The night had been cold and windy, so it was natural that we all awoke early. Hornbuckle got the quickest start, but we were all on the road by around 7am and hiking fast to get warm. As we came down the hill, we turned the corner and were greeted by raging winds. My pack was light as I had…
Today we had to cross a corner of the Mojave desert. We knew the first 18 miles or so followed the LA aqueduct and a wind farm so we’re expecting it to be flat. We were lucky that the forecast was for cool weather too. Last year the temperature was around 95F at this time of year and there is…
The Andersons’ place is wonderfully chilled even at breakfast time. They had coffee on the go at 6am, with pancakes following at 7am. Terrie gave rides to the trailhead, dispensing advice on the road walk around the fire closure. She had said we should walk the 12 miles on the road to the Lower Shake Canyon trail and then 23…
Coming out of Vasquez Rocks, we hit the town of Agua Dulce and a 3 mile road walk. Road walking is not my favourite: cars and bikes roaring by, nothing to see, and the soles of my feet turning into hamburger quicker. Eventually the trail wound into green brushy hills. The trail is visible in hillsides that are otherwise unbroken…
Today we intended to make it to Agua Dulce in time for breakfast, resupply in the store and then camp on the far side of town. Our plans were altered by the need for new insoles, new trekking pole tips and for me a new hiking skirt. Mine is now far too large, even with a safety pin for support.…
We woke up to epic condensation again today. The clouds has descended whilst we’d been sleeping, so our tents were soaked inside and out. We were slow to get moving, taking time to make hot coffee and keep warm. It was also a quarter mile backtrack to get water from the fire house, which took more time than we’d planned.…