Days 28-31: City Hikers to Tehachapi

General Trail Thoughts:

I am constantly surprised by the people I meet along the way. There is a very large contingent of foreign hikers, many young people and then my age category. There are people from all walks of life and they are taking advantage of the opportunity to live life and explore this path called the PCT. One thing we all have in common is the shared difficulties of the journey. On its own, the road can be brutal, but when injuries are mixed in, it can be a different story. From Tuffi tearing his calf muscle at mile 24, to Craig’s sprained neck and Peter’s dozen blisters, it all adds up to a difficult situation, but people persevere. Of course, there are people who go off trail due to injuries, but unless you’ve hiked with them, you probably don’t know them. Living Proof was one of those people who had to quit because a person can’t «get over» a torn meniscus.

Day 28

24 miles or so

From mile marker 508.1 elev 4854

Two mile marker 534.9 student 3093

Approximate rise 2264 Fall 3930

Camping: Solo

People I walked with: alone

I woke up to another beautiful sunrise over the Antelope Valley. I suspect all the dust in the air helps with sunrises and sunsets. I quickly dropped in elevation and meandered through the foothills.

Leaving the mountains for the heat of the valley

Hiker Town is an icon of absurdity and absolutely fun.

City rental for hikers

After picking up a resupply box, 5 of us headed to Neenach Market to buy food. A Pacifico, a double cheeseburger, fries and a mint shake. Then I was ready to return to Hiker Town.

A group of Thru Hikers enjoying a hot meal that was not a rehydrated meal.

Since I was the only one who wanted to go, the owner didn’t want to take me and told me to just walk down the road to the trail. So that’s just what I did. It was a long, windy, boringly straight road uphill. Easy. I spent the night near the LADWP “drinking water” source.

A unique and highly appreciated water source in the desert.

I met these trail angels who were removing their share from a water tank while the DWP was providing water.

Oddly enough, the stream I camped next to was flowing that night at an inch or two by 4 feet wide. In the morning there was no water to be seen, only the sandy bed of a wet-looking stream. Very strange and shows that there are no guarantees in life.

Day 29

23.3 miles

From mile marker 534.9 elev 3093

Two mile markers 558.2 student 4092

Approximate ascent 6217 Descent 5812

Camping: Solo

People I walked with: I jumped with a lot of people

This day dawned early and WINDY! I felt like I was marching directly into the wind. I guess that’s why they put so many wind turbines here.

Upon entering the canyons I came across a seasonal stream where I stopped to filter water.

A small but important watering hole

Later that day I met Peter Derksen, a Canadian who also blogs about Trek. He is a very interesting guy who was a soldier, a police officer, a Ukrainian army volunteer and is now hiking with a purpose. This windy day ended near Tehachapi Willow Springs Road.

Day 30

8.3 miles

From mile marker 558.2 elev 4092

Two mile field 566.5 student 388.4

Approximate rise 2264 Fall 3930

Camping: no. We head to the city.

People I walked with: none

This day I passed more wind turbines and, as expected, it was very windy. Only this time I was walking east towards the sun and for some reason the wind had changed direction, so I kept walking into the wind…

Crossing the hills I came across some cattle. There were cows, calves and even a bull.

I got to the road ahead of schedule and before my dad. As usual, I took off my backpack, sat on my mat, and took off my shoes.

After about 20 minutes my vehicle arrived and we headed to Tehachapi to catch a NERO.

Day 31

0 miles

Day Zero in Tehachapi. This was because I needed a break since my last zero was in Big Bear. I went to Moe’s Barber Shop for a much needed hot shave.

Before

And after a hot shave

My dad and I hung out and picked up some baked goods at Kohnen Bakery. I ended up having lunch there and introducing Clause, a Swede, to the Cuban sandwich. It was very, very good.

I like the size of the beers served here.

The rest of the day I spent sitting around not doing much. Later I went to a brewery and chatted with some very friendly locals. They were kind enough to take me back to the trail the next morning.

Next: 80 miles to Walker Pass

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