Campsite at Mile 617.86 to Campsite at Mile 634.17
I actually slept pretty good last night. When I saw Tim yesterday I swapped my messed up air mattress with his, which worked out nicely. I woke around 6:30a hearing someone packing up outside. When I looked out it was MAGA breaking camp. I said good morning from out my tent flap then went inside to dress and pack up my stuff. By the time I left my tent MAGA was gone.
I packed up my bag and as I was eating breakfast, Share Bear said that she was going to start up and eat breakfast in a couple of miles. I told her that I would catch up to her. I was ready to hike by 7:23 AM.
When I left, Rocket Pop and Princess Mountain Man (Max) was still working on getting their tent down, Audible (Kennan) was just waking up, and Sunshine (Heidi) was still sound asleep. Woohoo...everyone now has a trail name!
I packed up my bag and as I was eating breakfast, Share Bear said that she was going to start up and eat breakfast in a couple of miles. I told her that I would catch up to her. I was ready to hike by 7:23 AM.
When I left, Rocket Pop and Princess Mountain Man (Max) was still working on getting their tent down, Audible (Kennan) was just waking up, and Sunshine (Heidi) was still sound asleep. Woohoo...everyone now has a trail name!
Time to hike and catch Share Bear
Today we continue the hike through the Joshua Tree infested desert. These trees are so awesome.
Sun rising behind Joshua Tree
Beautiful, full Joshua Tree
As I was hiking along, I noticed someone had scratched arrows into the trail and pointed to the view. I didn't know why they pointed this particular view out, but I took a picture:
What's with this view?
Then as I hiked a little further, I looked back out at the view and noticed in the far distance a snow-covered peak...a Sierra Nevada Mountain! My first glimpse of the mountain adventure that we'll be arriving at soon. If you zoom in and look really close under the cloud on the right you may see it too:
The Sierra Nevada Mountains way off.
As I hiked along I passed the 1,000 KM point on the trail. Why not celebrate with our international hikers?!?
1,000 kilometer mark.
Proof I'm standing at 1,000 KM.
Finally, after about 1.5 hours of chasing Share Bear, I caught up to her. We took a little break. At this point we were about 9 miles from where we were meeting Tim.
This area had a lot of dirt roads and trails. Down below us we noticed this rusted out bus that someone drove to its final resting place:
This area had a lot of dirt roads and trails. Down below us we noticed this rusted out bus that someone drove to its final resting place:
Cool rusted out bus.
Check out this incredible view we had today while hiking!
Share Bear hiking in front.
Right around 11:30 AM we came across Hungry and Piccolo hanging out in the shade of a Joshua Tree:
Hungry and Piccolo.
They were resting up because they knew we had a bit of a climb ahead of us. Check out the trail ahead of us. It climbs pretty steep:
Steep part of the trail.
Of course, a steep climb means plenty of time to take pictures.
Self-portrait "Rest time"
Towards the top of the climb we saw this rock that looks just like a skull:
Skull rock
And check out this cool spotted lizard:
Nifty lizard
We made it down to Bird Spring Pass at 2:18 PM. It was incredibly windy and sunny. Hikers were hiding under trees all over the place. Tim showed up about 30 minutes later after climbing a switch-backed jeep trail and parked the 4Runner in a way that seemed to block some wind and provide shade. It was kind of miserable, but we all made it work.
2.5 hours later we were ready to go back on trail. At this point we were 20.5 miles from Walker Pass where the others are hitching down to Lake Isabella for a couple of nights, so they are anxious to get there tomorrow. That means we need to get a few more miles in today to make tomorrow's miles feasible. In front of us is a 4 mile steep climb that everyone has been talking about at Bird Spring Pass.
So, at 4:46 PM, I said goodbye to Tim until tomorrow when he meets us at Walker Pass, and headed up.
2.5 hours later we were ready to go back on trail. At this point we were 20.5 miles from Walker Pass where the others are hitching down to Lake Isabella for a couple of nights, so they are anxious to get there tomorrow. That means we need to get a few more miles in today to make tomorrow's miles feasible. In front of us is a 4 mile steep climb that everyone has been talking about at Bird Spring Pass.
So, at 4:46 PM, I said goodbye to Tim until tomorrow when he meets us at Walker Pass, and headed up.
Goodbye Tim.
Before the climb there was this sign:
PCT sign of the day.
In the next 3.33 miles we climbed 1,561 feet, plus there was a very strong wind the whole way. Share Bear led with a slow and steady pace that felt really comfortable and got us to the top in pretty good time. At the top we found a campsite that could hold most of us. Audible is camping 100 yards down trail and the rest of us, including Sunshine are camping here.
Today we climbed 4,000 feet with a strong wind most of the day. We are now at 6,860 feet and it is a bit chilly. The wind has calmed down some, but it is still blowing.
We have just over 17 miles to hike tomorrow to get to Walker Pass. Everyone is anxious to get there so we all plan on getting an early start...including Sunshine. It is now 10:00 PM, so I better get some sleep.
Today we climbed 4,000 feet with a strong wind most of the day. We are now at 6,860 feet and it is a bit chilly. The wind has calmed down some, but it is still blowing.
We have just over 17 miles to hike tomorrow to get to Walker Pass. Everyone is anxious to get there so we all plan on getting an early start...including Sunshine. It is now 10:00 PM, so I better get some sleep.
Close quarters with Princess Mountain Man and Rocket Pop.
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