Final desert of thousands and hello Sierra!

The desert gives us a last explosion of heat, dust and long increases. We sweat through sandy curves, we fight for camping places and surprise ourselves with forgotten alarms, but the spirits are high. We walk with our Swiss friends, enjoy the breaks in the river and cross the 700 mile mark. And finally, after 51 days, we arrived at Kennedy Meadows: the symbolic entrance door to the Sierra Nevada. Emotions are high. The desert chapter closes: the mountains are calling.

DAY 49 – SWISS TRAIL START & DESERT CRUITES

Walker Pass Camp was filled a lot last night. Someone even started a small disco party, so falling asleep was not easy, especially for Patrik. And since the desert has not yet finished cooking alive, we have 5 years and we are on the way before six.

We walk a little forward and wait on the official Walker Pass monument to surprise the Swiss. Today is your first official day on the way! They did not get an excellent permission date, so they collected a local one and joined us here on May 25.

We have a beautiful 8 mile climb ahead. The roller path and comes, gaining an elevation constantly, but in reality it is manageable. Around 8 am we stop for breakfast, ending the cherries we obtained on the path of yesterday Magic.

After the summit we take a break, then sail downhill towards the water for lunch. Read and Timo found the perfect shadowed place, ideal for an adequate nap. We spend the time here for quite some time before addressing the last 5 miles until the next water source, where we plan to camp. But, of course, everything is uphill and hot.

The climb is brutal. The sun is relentless. But the impressive views and flourishing wild flowers soften the fight. Finally we arrive at the stream, we leaked water for dinner and realize that the area is already being filled with large groups. We better take a store place while we can.

I drop my team in the last flat place decent just when the Swiss arrive. I let them choose a place and configure the network of errors together. But more hikers are still rolling. Someone even throws their store right on the path, which ends up sending people walking directly through the Lea and Timo site. They manage to move in time, but it is a tight squeery.

We rinse in the stream, we have dinner and collapse. It was difficult.

Day 50 – Without alarm, no problem

Today begins with a rookie error: We forget to establish an alarm. Fortunately, Patrik wakes up only 15 minutes late, so it’s not much. We packed quickly and reach the road, directly up.

The morning stretch is mostly shaded, but we can feel that it will be hotter than yesterday. Just before the first summit, we find Lea and Timo and take a fast break. Suddenly, the place is full of family faces: they all need a break after the morning escalation.

After the rest, we continue uphill. And uphill. And … oh well, some fallen trees too. New unlocked challenge: Log-Salt obstacle career.

For our break, we sat down with Marlen and Whistle, two hikers that we had not seen in a long time. It is good to catch up. Then we descend to the water for lunch. While filtering, we hear rumors of trail magic. Sounds tempting.

But when we leave the current, we see the Swiss resting in the shade. What is happening? It turns out that the narrow camp last night, and they want to make sure they find a Pacific tonight, they even offer to have a place. So sweet!

We decided to continue with them: we have enough food and tomorrow we will be in Kennedy Meadows anyway. So we have lunch right there and then advance. Yes, more uphill, but at least we have music in our ears and occasional forest shadow.

We arrive at the camp at 3:30 pm, a dream! It is time to relax, refrigerate, stretch and prepare at home to spend the night.

Just when our dinners are almost ready, he presents himself. Most hikers stayed in the magic of the path, so the camp remains quite calm. Finally, a quiet night.

Day 51 – 700 miles and the welcome of a hero

We woke up with a surprising dawn, which usually means one thing: we go out at six. Today’s climb is only the end of yesterday’s hill: less than 3 miles to the top, and then everything is downhill or flat.

We have breakfast with a view beyond the summit, then we sail. The path is gentle and downstairs, we are flying. In a cold stream, we stop to fill, cool our feet, filter and snacks. Trail luxury.

And then, a miracle: We walk through a Royal River! It is not a drip or a puddle, but a current that flows real with lush vegetation. Perfect for lunch and a refreshing rinse of the feet. We go out in the shadow of the pines and chat. When we check the map, we are amazed: we have made almost 14 miles before lunch. Only 4 more along the way. Easy.

Just after lunch we reach an important milestone: 700 miles! Photo time and a quick celebration.

Then they are just some doors, a little dust, and suddenly, we are on the way.

Now what? Apparently, we can call the local camp and send someone to pick us up. But we have no sign. And there are no cars. So we walk through the last mile along the road to the general store of Kennedy Meadows.

And then it happens: the legendary welcome. Cover hikers applaud, rejoice, ring Cencas. We did it! We have officially crossed the desert. It is overwhelming.

Mark gives us a beer and collapse in a bank. In a matter of minutes we find Denča and Ondra, who fill ourselves in everything.

The transfers to the Bear Grumpy camp (where we have our packages and plan to sleep) are going at 5, so we have time. Ice cream is. The shuttle is too filled, so the driver makes two races. I continue with the Swiss to claim store points; Patrik comes later.

With all the errands, only half of us reach the showers before closing at 6. Oh, well, there is at least food. The hamburgers are incredible, even if the dining room is a bit chaotic. It is animated in the bar, but we don’t take ourselves, we are cleaned.

Tomorrow: Clean clothing, a real (luck) shower and a new beginning. The Sierra Wait.