The original plan this morning was to take the early bus again towards Tehachapi but to get off short at the PCT trailhead. When the alarm went off at 6:30 we knew it wasn’t going to happen since we were so exhausted. We slept in for a few blissful hours, then ate breakfast and finished packing up. Luckily, a local trail angel was happy to give us and another hiker a ride to the trail at noon. Ted is a member of the Mojave chamber of commerce and is trying to drum up the same kind of extensive trail angel support in that town as they have in Tehachapi. Hikers are an economic bump, even if the main season only lasts a month or so.
After getting dropped off we hoisted our full packs and set off east as the trail followed the highway. There was lots of garbage strewn around, as seems to happen any time the trail comes in close contact with civilization. After a few miles it turned north around a ridge and began climbing. The wind got worse as we got higher but it was much better than it had been over the last few days and we had intermittent protection as we switchbacked up. Finally we stood on top of the bluff and headed into pockets of juniper scrub. Behind us we could see the towns, the plane graveyard, and (way out in the distance) Edwards Air Force base. It was pleasant walking as we headed further into the mountains.
We encountered a few more lines of windmills but nothing like the density from yesterday. As we hiked we passed Mountain Goat and Stumbles, whom we haven’t met before. Mountain Goat actually works on wind turbines so this must have been an interesting section for him. Closer to our destination for the night, we passed two ladies who had just gotten done with school and were starting the trail on this section. Along with the couple we caught a ride with yesterday, we now know of four people starting at Mojave. I didn’t know it was so popular but I’d think it would be a tough section to start with – little water, high temperatures, and lots of hills. Plus, in only a week we hit the really high altitudes and tough climbs.
We finished the day at the spring, loading up for a 20-mile dry stretch. We are camped mostly out of the wind and looking forward to making progress tomorrow. I made the unhappy discovery that my brand new headlamp is missing. I put it in the same secure place every day so I’m not sure where I lost it – possibly at the hotel, which would at least give us the chance to maybe get it back. It’s a bad thing to lose on this section because we might need to do some night hiking to beat the heat.
– Posted from the PCT
Location:Pct mile 583