After setting up the tent last night and finally huddling out of the wind inside my “palace”, it actually didn’t blow again until the morning. The night was quiet, hardly any movement which was great! Not too cold either, at 4600ft.
I was up early … town was calling … and walking by 6:20am. I looked back at my campsite:
The 13 miles to town started with 4 miles of uphill. At some point I was at 6300ft today (ending at 4100ft for the day). Good views back over the desert!
At mile 549, “Cafe 549” materialized. It’s an oasis with chairs, umbrella, lots of water and often food (not today except for some hiker food leftovers).
A hiker was camped there and enjoying the view! Not sure who puts this on but it’s awesome! I had (my own) breakfast and then moved on.
Just like the last few hours yesterday, the trail was very sandy and loose today. It’s often eroded, and the motorbike tracks going up and down the hills, crossing the PCT numerous times, don’t help. It’s was windy but not as strong as yesterday.
I met Orange on trail (saw him last at Hiker Town) but otherwise no familiar faces (and very few people at all). Yesterday I didn’t see anybody after the 17 mile water cache!
I was so happy to leave the windfarms behind yesterday but they were back in full force along the trail today!
Ups and downs finally brought me to the road from where the hikers hitch to either Tehachapi or Mojave (my choice; cheap motels, smaller town, has all I need). I looked at the list of trail angels posted but then just walked to the road and the first car that saw my thumb stopped. Lyle took me the 10 miles to Mojave, through hundreds of wind turbines!! (Was a relatively low wind day but is super windy right now at 8pm!).
I’m at the Motel 6 and even though it’s simple, it’s clean and spacious. A great grocery store is right next to it. The gas station has coffee and the room faces away from the noise (trains, highway). Doesn’t matter anyway … any bed is good! Sleeping in tomorrow!!
We could probably all benefit from new challenges(physically and mentally) and new experiences. And be less attached to our luxuries. Good for you.
Yes I think many would really benefit from trying something new, going somewhere new, getting unstuck.
What? Not singing to the lizzards??
Maybe I should try it?? 😂
Hi Biggi. Sounds tough!. It would be interesting to know what the main characteristics are of people who take on this journey? What do you have in common? Take care.
Good question! I think we are all exploring what our bodies and minds can do. It’s also about getting out of our comfort zones and away from what we do every day, every week, every year. Embracing a simple lifestyle that is rich in experiences and people. One doesn’t need much to be comfortable. If I would just stay in BC I would never have met these amazing humans, formed new friendships or seen these landscapes! There is so much to explore in this world!
I am used to walk through landscapes where there is water and lots of green. I can’t imagine walking through a desert. Great pictures and great job.
Thanks Otto for reading the blog and commenting! I am also used to green lush mountains! This is a whole new experience for a German-Canadian! 💨 ☀️
Hope you are having some tasty snacks and rest right now. I am in awe as well. Enjoyed reading Mike’s comments as they gave me more appreciation for the guts, skills & mental strength needed on such a journey.
Cafe 549 made me laugh. It reminded me of the little forts I used to build in our cow pasture along the Shuswap River. I’d invite my girlfriends for a picnic and encourage them to sing to the cows🤷♀️😂.
Looking forward to seeing less desert & more lush (Kennedy Meadows). I want to see you “out-standing” in your field!!! Haha. Bad joke I know.
😂 Thanks for the comment! I’m definitely resting today … heading out early tomorrow to beat the heat; 17 miles to water and 34C forecast! Would have liked to see your Shuswap forts 🙂 I’m not singing to the lizards yet though 🤣
As you know, I have worked almost everywhere that you have walked since the Mexican border.
I am in awe. Outstanding!!
Though several years apart, we have even shared the same motels (Happy Camp and others). In Mojave we stayed at the Best Western next to the Motel 6, but I know the grocery store that you mentioned. (And the donut shop!)
I liked your photo (above) of “the desert”. In the distance is the Angeles Forest that you walked last week.
It runs perpendicular to your route this week!!
Many people don’t realize that your Pacific Crest Trail follows the ‘crest’ or ridge line from Mexico to Canada.
It is definitely NOT the shortest or straightest route. It zig-zags and climbs to follow the geographic high-line.
It’s route was ‘created’ rather than ‘planned’ and because of that, it is certainly not ‘user friendly’.
I also knew the Mojave Desert well.
There was nothing to burn there, so we rarely landed, except at the airports. We saw so many square miles of solar panel ‘farms’ that slowly rotate (by computer) to catch the brutal sun’s rays from dawn until dusk. And those thousands of wind turbines that seem to spin constantly in the dusty and relentless wind.
Thankfully you are through that now and can start the long final climb to beautiful Kennedy Meadows.
Working in those mountains was difficult. But to walk (so many miles per day) along the top of them all would be a mental and physical struggle that few of us could even imagine.
A wonderful tale. Good luck with your final push into the Sierra Mountains.
I am in awe. Outstanding!!
Thank you so much Mikey! The encouraging words are needed to get me mentally prepared for the last stretch. It is even drier and more remote than the previous. 17 miles to water tomorrow, then 19 miles etc. And yes we definitely don’t just go north! We have been heading west for a while, then looped back east to here and now more of a northward route. Hoping to get to Walker Pass in 5-6 days!
Hi Biggi.
Glad you made it through the Mojave with no problems other than the wind. Wind is not a friend of mine either. Leslie and I drove though the Mojave on one of our trips to Phoenix. I remember it as being a lot of nothing. Like you, we were happy once we were through it.
Enjoy your town break in Mojave. Stay safe.
Mel
Definitely a lot of nothing with many wind turbines. Happy to leave those behind tomorrow 🙂