Days 32-35: Tehachapi to Walker Pass

General Trail Thoughts:

During this 84 mile section I thought a lot about my gear. I crossed the 600 mile point and my shoes are wearing out, the replacement rubber feet for my trekking poles are worn out, someone with the same brand of tent as me abandoned their tent, etc.

Shoes: My shoes are Topo Ultraventures and I have been wearing this brand and model since I started wearing shoes after Achilles tendon repairs (thanks Jesse). I have a new pair that I will wear when I leave Walker Pass. The soles hold up well, but the upper material wears out in some places.

Gaiters: I wear Dirty Girls low gaiters to keep sand, grass, and small pebbles out of my shoes. The Velcro adhesive that attaches them to the shoe’s outer heel simply liquefied around the 570-mile mark. I immediately noticed the difference with lots of grass heads getting into my socks and sand getting into my shoes. There were also worn holes due to wear and tear. A little bit of tape took care of the holes and some cord held the hook part of the velcro in place.

The hook part of the velcro stays in place and worked well.

Insoles: I tried several different insoles and decided on the Superfeet Hikers. I compared the used insoles with over 700 miles to the new ones in Kernville. The old ones were just worn out. It was day and night to cushion. I’m looking forward to the next hike with new shoes and insoles.

Trekking Poles: I wore out both ends and broke a pole on the downhill side of Mount San Jacinto. I grabbed a pair of Columbia carbon fiber poles and decided to leave the rubber feet on them to protect the tips. The rubber feet wore out after a couple hundred miles. The spare feet wore out in less than 20 miles.

Backpack: The Durston Kakwa holds up well with a small area of ​​the mesh backing being removed. I don’t think it was sewn correctly and I’m going to repair it with Tenacious Tape.

Tent: The Durston Xdome 1+ is a freestanding tent and I had to repair a couple of small tears with silicone tape. I like the tent, but the material seems a little weak. I guess that’s the compensation for the low weight. I know a couple of people who had problems with zippers. My zippers are fine and the freestanding tent withstands strong winds with ease.

Other equipment: jetboil stove works well. Of the two Nitecore 10,000 milliamp battery banks, one holds a charge better than the other. My Garmin watch, a Fenix ​​8, works fine, but very steep shifts confuse it for distance and pace. My Ridge Merino Sun hoodie is working well.

Day 32

21 miles or so

From mile marker 566.5 elev 3844

Two mile marker 587.5 student 4732

Approximate ascent 4100 Descent 3300

Camping: multiple tents

People I walked with: Last Mile, Steep, 9 Lives and Hayden

The night before they had offered me a ride to the trailhead and Chad and Riley picked me up at 07:00. 15 minutes later I was on the trail. Tehachapi is a great trail town and the people are salt of the earth. Thanks chad!

Chad was fine, even if he was wearing a Dodgers cap 🙂

This morning the sun was shining and for once the wind was not howling. This photo encompasses Tehachapi for me.

Wind turbines, the train and the highway

I quickly started down the road and called Marnie. The trail overlapped a dirt road and there were no footprints to follow. As I chatted, I looked at Far Out and realized I had passed the trail cut a quarter mile ago. Well, what’s an extra half mile of unnecessary walking? I spooked a couple of chucker today and got to see them fly downhill for over 100 yards.

Water was found in Golden Oaks Spring, although there were no golden oaks here. This was the time to make a decision. Go off trail 1 mile each way to Miller Springs or carry a heavy 4- to 5-liter water carrier to reach Robin Bird Springs. I opted for 3 liters and Miller Springs. A wrong choice in retrospect.

Day 33

22 miles or so

From mile marker 587.5 elev 4732

Two mile marker 607.5 student 6485

Approximate ascent 5112 Descent 3435

Camping: 2 other tents

People I walked/jumped with: Hayden, Strong Arm, Anthony, and Almandine

This morning I woke up to a nice, cool day and, as usual, started walking. As I walked I caught a glimpse of movement. Another fox, but this time I caught it on “film”.

A fox that didn’t seem to care about me.

I left my backpack at the intersection toward Miller Springs and, with my phone and a CNoc brand 2-liter water bag, I headed out. There were many valley quail in the spring area and I entertained myself by whistling their call and listening to their response.

The box is where the spring develops.

The day became hot as the trail wound its way through oak and pine groves. There were a couple of strenuous uphill stretches, but it seems like there are always a couple of strenuous uphill stretches. On the way I passed 600 miles. Time to confess, I was wondering if I was going to go 100 miles.

I camped among the pines along Landers Creek and was soon joined by some mosquitoes.

Day 34

24 miles or so

From mile marker 607.5 elev 4732

Two mile marker 632 student 5362

Approximate ascent some more descent

Camping: multiple tents

People I walked or jumped with: Strong Arm, Bushman, Bee

This section had some steep switchbacks that confused my watch, so my ascent and descent numbers are up in the wind.

Sunrise among the pines at more than 6000 feet.

I filled 2 liters of Landers Creek knowing there was a cache within 9 miles on Kelso Valley Road.

A large and highly appreciated water tank

It was 15 miles to the next water at Bird Springs Pass. The trail was a high desert with Joshua trees, sage, and interesting rock formations.

Who has time to go around stacking stones?

A lunch break with a view. Note the trail of darkened toes.

Day 35

21 miles or so

From mile marker 632 elev 5362

Two mile marker 652.5 student 5055

Approximate rise 3241 Fall 3602

Camping: only in a backyard

People I walked or jumped with: Bee and Nico

This section was a preparation for the passes in the Sierras with an ascent of about 1500 feet in 3 miles. Luckily after that it stabilized and it was a pretty easy hike. The water was a 13 mile portage from the Bird Springs Pass cache (thanks Trail Angel Mike) to the McIvers cabin and spring. On the way I passed through rough terrain with pine forests that have not burned.

The spring was about a quarter mile down the road and when I got there I ran into Birdman and Nico.

McIver’s spring was an oasis and much needed.

I rinsed my hoodie, my hair, and myself with this generous supply of water. The merino wool hoodie smelled faintly of the Tide pod from the wash in Tehachapi. Even though my clothes at McIver’s Spring didn’t have soap, they really smelled fresh as a daisy.

Birdman was suffering from debilitating shin splints and had used his trekking poles as walking sticks. I had been jumping for the past two days to get to the water! I took a look and there was a huge knot on the lower end of my tibialis anterior. It was over and I couldn’t go any further.

However, the road was rough with some granite outcropping that required a serious off-road vehicle. I have a lifted truck at home and wouldn’t have tried it. Getting help here would be a problem. Nico had contacted his Garmin In Reach to ask Trail Angel Mike for help, but had received no response. Meanwhile, a dirt bike pulled up and I started chatting with the rider, Jack. I asked if friends were coming and he said yes, side by side with room for one passenger. I explained the situation that this was an emergency and that Birdman needed a ride out of here. They agreed to take him to Highway 14 and Jawbone Canyon Road. Problem solved.

Jack will be competing in the SCORE Baja 500 on June 6, 2026. Don’t hesitate to look for him, number 797X.

8 miles later I reached Walker Pass and found magical trails! Thanks Golden for the hot dogs and beers!

YAY, trail magic.

While we were eating, Trail Angel Mike arrived. He had gotten as close as he could to rescue Birdman, but was hampered by the rough road. As he assessed the situation, the side by side arrived with Birdman and Mike pulled him off the mountain. Thanks to Jack, his friends and Mike for the rescue! It really reaffirms my belief that there are a lot of good people out there.

Another Chad, this one from Kernville, arrived and asked if anyone wanted a ride into town. Two of us took it and soon it was enjoying the air conditioning. Chad even offered up his backyard for camping. Good people abound!!!

My place to stay in Kernville on Saturday night

I’m ahead of schedule, so next up is a triple zero in Kernville with Marnie and then 50 miles to Kennedy Meadows South. After that, the Sierras.