Days 25-27: Reality Check Results and Memories

General Trail Thoughts:

I’ve been asked how I decide how far to go and where to camp. It all comes down to a couple of things. Firstly, what is the water situation and secondly, what is the probability of finding a good campsite. There is an app called Far Out that does a pretty good, though not perfect, job of describing water and camping availability. It is a crowdsourced report on updated water and camping situations. Water is available in springs, streams, cisterns, taps and caches. Camping requires a relatively flat spot so I don’t spend the night sliding off my mat. Most of the trail has steep inclines and only the trail is semi-flat, which can make finding a good campsite a challenge. I need 1 liter for 4 miles on hot days and 1 liter for 5 to 6 miles on colder days. Of course, there’s the need for cooling water and the, ahem, «field bidet.» Water availability is something that is always on the minds of hikers, at least I imagine it will be until we are somewhere with a lot of water like the Sierras.

Day 25

9.6 miles

From mile 454 elev 2566

Two mile fields 464 students 3960

Approximate rise 2526 Fall 1056

Camping: Solo

People I walked with: alone

This day started with having breakfast twice at a hotel and then taking a ride back to the trail with Kent. Kent is an emergency room doctor and a nice guy to boot. We are the same age and he is, broadly speaking, part of the Tramily I met previously.

I spent the morning at Serenity’s Oasis and picked up my supply box. Around 1:00 pm I was ready for the surgical test on my leg and yesterday’s experience with the shin splint. I kept a leisurely pace and was very happy to make it through the 10 miles without pain. This was a reality check that I was happy to pass.

Day 26

21.6 miles

From mile marker 464 elev 3960

Two mile marker 485.6 student 3018

Approximate rise 2264 Fall 3930

Camping: 1/2 dozen tents scattered

People I walked with: none

The leg felt good and I headed out before the sun came up. First stop was near a water tank maintained by Garrett, THANK YOU Garrett! The second stop was at the Green Valley USFS Fire Station for lunch and water. There were several hikers enjoying the picnic table and the water. There I met «Not-Not Tom», as he was from Great Britain and his name was Tom. I guess there are plenty of Brits on the road called Tom.

This day ended at the creek from Lake Hughes to Lake Castaic. I “washed” my clothes and myself with soap-free stream water. We don’t use soap near streams. In fact, the only time on the trail I use soap is to wash my hands and it’s never near water.

Garrett’s Water Stash

Day 27

22.9 miles

From mile marker 485.6 elev 3018

Two Mile Marker 508.1 Student 4616

Ascent 4803 Relegation 3146

Camping: with 3 more people – Mufasa, Maui, Stick

People I walked with: I played jumping with Mufasa

I quickly climbed to a ridge line and was treated to another beautiful sunrise. Along with the sunrise I also had large cloud formations between the canyons.

The trail wound between fires and old campsites through areas I traveled through as a teenager with my grandfather. We drove horrible dirt roads chasing quail. We mainly enjoyed each other’s company and occasionally saw a bird or two.

The water sources were mainly cisterns with dead mice and lizards in them. Cisterns are usually underground tanks that are fed by rainwater collected on a concrete platform. Using comments on Far Out I found stream water.

A seasonal stream where I got water.

The trail ran through ancient pine forests that survived or escaped the fires. There were also a couple of oak groves. The day ended at a campsite called Horse Camp, where a short hike took me to a stream. I filtered 4 liters and took them to camp. This provided one liter for washing, one liter for cooking and drinking and 2 liters for tomorrow. The wind howled all night, but my tent site was sheltered and I slept comfortably.

Filtering water in a stream near Horse Camp.

Next up is Hiker Town and the Aquaduct ride.

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