Walker Pass:

Very Hot Days

Tuesday, June 3rd  

This is the Cottonwood bridge - under which I waited out the sun and heat with a group of other hikers. It is now a dry creek bed, but before the severe drought of the past 3 years - was a water source smack in the middle of the desert valley.  The route since leaving Agua Dulce on Monday (6/2) has been basically broadening the western arm of the Mojave desert and then dropping into the Antelope Valley. I was fortunate to land some "trail magic" - because I helped replenish a water cache - and bypassed much of the exposed road walk over the artificial rivers of the California and Los Angeles Aqueducts. BTW - "trail magic" is unexpected kindness or luck then a hiker encountered just when needed! 

 "Wildlife" I encountered near the Cottonwood bridge. The nearest shopping center probably is hours away!!

 The PCT route is the only authorized trail through this endless grid of solar and wind farms in the Antelope Valley. At several points if I had wanted too...I could have walked another 100 ft and touched the base of a "wind mill".

The view as I started  night hiking under the "fans'!

The trail was level and easy to navigate at this point. 

Wednesday, June 4

The view of Tyler Horse Canyon as I departed that afternoon. I camped here by the trickling creek the night before because it was the only reliable water source. I filtered 6 liters of water and planned to hike at least 8 miles to the water cache that evening.

6/4 Joshua Trees - are not really trees but are in the Yucca family.  Apparently they can grow up to 32 ft. I didn't see any that tall - but many with unusual shapes. I can you though that they don't give you a place to sit under for shade...because the have spiked "leaves" at their base.

6/4 

Another shot of the water cache. I probably need to say a few words about water caches...

Water Caches are invaluable to PCT hikers in Southern CA. Most do not look as funky or maintained as this one. The goal is to make water available between long stretches of dried up natural water sources. So it could be a placement of 100 gallon jugs under a tree, etc. They are maintained by "Trail Angels" who do this out of the goodness of their hearts - so you hope there will be water...but cant depend/plan on it. Thus, you always need to still be prepared and carry lots!!!!  I will try and include more pics of them as I go on.This water cache was just down the path where I camped Wednesday night. It was easy to locate the night before because a gathering of other night hikers were all there. You could see the red glow of the headlamps in the distance when approaching the cache. When hiking we all have the headlamps set to the brightest white setting. But when coming face to face - you have to turn it to the red light position.

6/4  Flowers about to bloom on the top of the Joshua tree

 

6/4 Another wind farm approaching the Tehachapi Pass

Other than always being sweaty and dirty...the old girls' feet are holding up! No serious blisters to complain about - thank God!

  

descending out of the Desert high country on 6/4

View as I sat for a dinner break on 6/4.

 Reflecting again how unbelievably fortunate I am to be enjoying these moments. The desert lighting in the evenings magnifies the stillness...and is cool enjoy to linger without seeking shade.

 

It is always a bit of a thrill to see a trail sign with the milage coming up ... they are a rare sighting thus far on the PCT. This sign meant that was how many miles until the road for town; Tehachapi!

Thursday, June 5th after coming off four trail days. The local editor of the weekly Tehachapi magazine took this picture. I met her at the Post office when I was leaving with my resupply package.

 

 6/7  This is a view from the Norbertine Monastery that I visited. It located on 725 acres about 7 miles outside of Tehachapi. I went with the hotel manager and a friend who in discussion invited me - because they had never been there. It is a self sufficient community of 29 nuns. The sell jams, soaps, etc. Also run a guest house and a dairy soon to go commercial.

 6/7 

This is a nun showing a young guest how she leads the calf down to a lower pasture. She has stopped now to pat the calf - but before was shaking a large milk bottle and allowing the calf to drink - and then walked further away - calf following.

 6/7 in Tehachapi

As I was walking towards the Kmart in town (Tehachapi) I met a chainsaw wood carver. I told him I was looking for an unusual piece of craving for a friend in Norfolk. After I described the requirements for my selection - he suggested this!!  

That's all for now - It is Sunday, June 8th. My dad's 90th birthday. So glad I was able to wish him a happy day before I head out. He said he never thought he'd live this long!  It's your sense of humor Dad, that has done it! 

Now I head north to Walker Pass. That's about 86 trail miles.  Hopefully will get there by noon on Friday.  Then I will find my way to Onyx before 3 pm. (when the post office closes!)  So love to all and thanks for all your support and well wishes!   

"Thumbs up"  (Jean)

 

This is the tunnel view coming out from under Interstate 15 at the Cajon Pass (Junction).  The pictures that follow are from PCT mileage 342 to 454.5. I started this 112 mile section D on Sunday, May 25th and finished 6 days later. Physically - and mentally these were the toughest days as the week began...and then got better as I connected w/ several hikers (Eleven, Gab, Julian)  and more US Forest Service folks.  So I will let pics and tags continue the commentary. 

  June 1st was a full zero/rest day in Agua Dulce, CA .Most hikers stay 1-3 days here at "Hiker Heaven" (PCT hostel) to regroup and resupply.  Here is Julian and Crush - two fellow hikers that I've camped with for the last few trail nights. We decided to ride into town for a big breakfast at the Sweet water Cafe. Crush with the ball cap, hiked the AT last year. So far I have met 3 hikers who have also completed the AT. Julian is a retired Air Traffic controller from Seattle and is one on the "more mature" folks on the trail. Originally from Puerto Rico but has worked in Alaska, so I have been enjoying his company. 

This is how most of the Southern California residents of Aqua Dulce ride into town! 

It may be hard see...it was for me.  Look carefully to see a coiled 3.5 foot rattlesnake retreating into the shade.  The snake sighting count is now 10 - --- of which 4 were "a rattling"!
...and now for the rest of the retreating snake - which can easily be seen!

I took precautions as instructed.... however did not see any evidence of bear or "cat" activity.  A USF ranger told me that the fires have send them down into the 'burbs! 

Campground where I stayed on 5/27. 














This technique of suspending food (and toothpaste!) is called "Bear Bagging".  The goal is to keep your food at least 15 above the ground and 5 feet away from the nearest branch. In the Sierras apparently "the bears" are too smart for this technique..so I will have to carry all my food in a bear canister, ( Sorry..it seems I just "dissed" the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountain Wilderness bears!)

 Alot of this section was on ridge trails with fantastic open views. It is where I learned the meaning of "High Desert Country"....Travel consisted of uphill, dry, exposed terrain.  I needed every bit of water I was hauling!

 

Not all campsites are as scenic...this was behind the Mill Creek Fire Station -which had water and was safe. And also with a lighted back storage area - which is helpful when getting off trail late!

High desert country 

...the trail beauty continues... 

The undergrowth from the fire of 2008. I sat here for a 2 hour heat/lunch break and just watch the birds among the wildflowers. 

Shade and a view were rare in this section...so I only stopped for a water sip -or a map check in the shade. 

I have learned that 94% of forest fires are human caused in this area.

Looking back at the desert mountains I have crossed on the trail in the distance.

 

This was on the monument noting where and when the PCT was completed.

 It is about 9 trail miles from Agua Dulce

These next rock formation pictures are from the Vasquez Rocks County Natural Area Park that the PCT goes through for about 1.5 miles. The view of these conglomerate rocks have eroded into the "hogback" ridge that can be seen for miles. Many well-known TV shows and movies were filmed here such as Star Trek, Roswell, Holes, The Charge of the Light Brigade, etc. One of the locals told me they use to make the "spaghetti Westerns" there too.  I knew exactly what he was talking about ...because I remember thinking that the background scenery in the horse chase scenes kept repeating itself!

  This rock formation was actually the inspiration for "Pride Rock" in Lion King.

Hogback Ridge in the Vasquez Rocks