Tylerhorse Canyon to Mariah Country Inn, Mojave, CA
I tried to ignore the wind and go to sleep, but it didn't work very well. I then put my earplugs in and fell right to sleep. I awoke hearing slight voices outside my tent and at 5:15 I started packing up. we were right near a stream so we couldn't dig a cathole so we decided to quickly pack up and hike until we find a nice place to stop for breakfast and digging catholes. I was ready to go by the crazy, early time of 5:56 AM.
Ready to hike...and wash my face!
Right when we got on trail there was a sign that said that Tehachapi Willow Springs Road is 16 miles away. This is where I come off trail and spend a day or two in Mojave, California with Tim.
Tim and a hotel room is only 16 miles away.
As soon as we hit the trail the scenery was incredible:
Mountain view with wind farm.
Beautiful mountain view
We stopped about 45 minutes of hiking for breakfast and a comfort break and then continued hiking. The hike so far hasn't been too bad with the trail gently climbing and descending...and then we saw this just ahead. A crazy looking climb switchbacking up this mountain:
We've got this!
For the next 4 miles the trail climbed non-stop. When we finally made it to the top around 9:30 AM we found some shade and took a break. During the break Heidi was passing by and decided to stop for a break as well.
Heidi happy to be taking a break
About 40 minutes later we decided to continue and Heidi came along.
PCT sign of the day with Heidi
Check out the toe rock we saw today:
Toe rock
At 11:00 AM we came across this amazing water cache at mile 549:
 Thanks! |  Water cache with chairs and all |
Self=portrait "Mile 549 Bar & Grill"
At the water cache there was a note that said there was shade and flat spots just 0.5 miles ahead, so we drank our fill of water and headed up trail where we found the most perfect shade tree. As Heidi, Share Bear, and I chilled out, MAGA showed up and decided to join us. This is his crazy lunch concoction of Knorr Fettuccine Alfredo, Knorr Pesto Pasta, coconut oil, salmon packet, topped with crushed Fritos. We calculated that this lunch has about 1600 calories.
MAGA's lunch concoction.
At this point we have come about half-way and have 8.5 miles to go. The good news is that most of the climbing is done for the day, so we should be able to knock out these miles in under 4 hours. We started back up hiking around 2:00 PM. As predicted the grade of the hike was perfect and the scenery was beautiful. It was a bit hot, but tolerable.
The beautiful PCT.
Kate and I in front of a wind turbine.
More wind turbines along the trail
Finally, right around 5:30 PM we arrived at Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road. When we got to the road Legend had set-up camp and offered us cold drinks and spaghetti. Legend thru-hiked the PCT in 2013 and is now giving back to the community by helping out hikers along the trail. He is an awesome guy.
Hikers enjoying Legend's hospitality
Tim showed up to take me back to Mojave. The others (Share Bear, Max, Kate, and Kennan) hitched the other direction to Tehachapi. The plan is to meet up with them tomorrow for dinner. Until then, Tim and I will be hanging out and relaxing in the Mariah Country Inn in Mojave, California.
Relaxing in the hotel room.
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