June 5th Evening
Trail Miles: 537 miles

After arriving at three points, the rest of the gang slowly arrived while we sat outside an old abandoned gas station/bar. Apparantly, Brian had found a local trail angel who was following some of our journals online.

Next thing we knew, we were all down at his house relaxing in the shade. The fire that game through last year wiped out all the trees in the area, but his survived. We all lounged under the shade of an amazing old oak tree. Occassionally we would climb to the limbs and lay on them.

While I napped away the afternoon sun, several people went to the store with David and Jenny (the trail angels). After they retuned, we enjoyed a great barbecue of burgers and chicken and beer. After the barbecue, we all gorged on ice cream.
David and Jenny offered their lawn to camp on, but only a few took their offer. Most of us got an early evening start across the mojave. Hiking a couple hours past sunset, we covered a portion of the LA aquaduct stretch of the mojave. Crossing in the night was fun, and it kept us out of the blistering sun, but we missed a turn and hiked half a mile the wrong way. Finally, we went to bed about an hour past “hiker midnight” (9pm).

Rising extra early, we hit the trail at 5:30 am (my earliest start). The early start allowed us the opportunity to watch a brilliant orange sun rise slowly over the desert of scattered joshua trees. Fairly early we saw a coyote run across our path.

This segment of the trail was along a road, which is hard on the feet. It was also going to be under a blistering sun. Fortunately for us, the “June Gloom” offered us a decent breeze.

Roundig a corner, we saw our lunch destination, the only decent shade and water across the desert. Arriving there, I was quick to shed my shoes and soak my feet. After the soak, I crawled under the shade and took a nap. The wind had picked up and started chilling us, so I pulled out my sleeping bag and ate a lunch. After lunch I took another longer nap.

Soon others arrived. Those who had stayed at the trail angels place, slack-packed the nineteen miles with him to this location. Slack-Packing is emptying you backpack of its gear are hiking with only food and water. A support person meets you further down the trail with your gear.

After second lunch, I decided to hit the trail to hike another seven miles across the desert. By now, the wind was gusting up to 60 miles an hour. This was great for the heat, but nearly impossible to hike in. Fighting the wind we slowly struggled up and out of the desert floor. I looked back at the land, which appeared barren and realized that I have surpassed 20 percent of the trail.

We now lay in camp, listening to the howling wind and sand beat against our bags. As much as the wind was a pain, I am thankful of it for making the Mojave that much more easy. Tomorrow we arrive in Tehachapi, our last stop before starting into the Sierras.

June 6th Afternoon
Elevation: 4240 ft
Trail Miles: 553 miles

The wind gusted all night long, kicking sand and dirt all over us. I opted to “cowboy camp” (sleep under the stars) so I woke up this morning with extra dirty hair and ears. But that was okay because I knew that I was half a day away from a shower.

We climbed slowly up the hill weaving between hot sunny patches and the shade of Joushua Trees and White Oaks. Shortly into the day, we found “Whatever” huddled under a tree in the shade. He was planning on pushing as far as he could last night, but he got sick. Our crew slowly pulled in to have lunch with him and make sure he was hydrating himself.

From atop the hillside we could look out over the flat vast expanse we had crossed the two days prior. We also had an excellent view of the San Gabriel mountain range we had been hiking through, all the way back to Mt. Baden Powell and Wrightwood.

I continued on with little water myself. It was rumored that there was supposed to be water at 6 miles out, but there was not any, so I knew I had to ration my water for the next 12 miles. Making my way through the shaded oaks, I caught up with Brian and “Canadian Bacon.” The four of us had lost the trail amidst all the ATV and motorbike trails. Finding our way back to the trail was easy, but I did slip on the rocks and scrape my leg up a little.

Soon I could see the highway, the destination for the day. As I neared the highway, I came into a vast field of wind turbines. Passing closely to the massive blades, I was surprised at the size of them. The wind turbines were appropriately placed, as I realized I was once again walking in strong gusts of wind. I leaned into the wind and struggled the last couple miles to the road, where a hiking partners wife had arrived to pick him up. She was kind enough to run us into town.

Now I have to do laundry, go to the post office, and have some grub. Tomorrow we head out to hike some more, just like every day.

Happy Trails, Inner Peace, & Harmony