One Way Ticket to Somewhere

  I can’t easily explain why I liked hiking the aqueduct so much. I was basically hiking on a thick rusted pipe with rivets that pierced my sandals and gave me a somewhat painful foot massage, but I absolutely loved this section of the trail. Aqueduct Maybe it was the change in scenery as the landscape now included groves of Joshua trees, maybe the underlying engineering challenge the aqueduct presented at the time of its construction, I just can’t say.  Sun Is Going Down… …Spectacularly  The other hikers eventually got off the pipe and hiked the dirt road next to it, but I stayed on until it was converted to a closed concrete structure, resembling a road.  Too Late… Our group left Hikertown around 6 pm for a night hike, as it was too hot to hike during the day.  I spontaneously decided to abandon the night hike and set up camp after it got dark. I wanted to see this section of the trail. I got up at 5 am to a glorious sunrise. Good Morning! View From My Tent Th...

The days after Agua Dulce were challenging. It’s a drought year and many of the water sources available to PCT hikers are dried up. The ones that are not aren’t very attractive. Cisterns with green water that haven’t seen fresh rain water in a long time. Springs that now are mere puddles where you compete for water with swarms of flies, bees and other bugs.  The Bloom Continues  Available water dictates camping spots and the daily mileage. This makes the trail more social, as you’ll see your fellow hikers at every available water source and camp spot. First Glimpse Of The Desert Floor The days have been so hot that I, like most hikers, started my days early to hike while the temperatures are bearable. Then we sought refuge under a tree, behind a rock or other landscape feature that provided some shade for a siesta during the hottest parts of the day.  Hiking In The Golden Hour Then we hiked on in the late afternoon into the evening, getting ever closer to the desert ...

  After leaving Big Bear City, trail life became relatively easy for a few days. Big Bear Lake The trail followed Deep Creek and water was abundant for once. The creek had deep pools, so I had an opportunity to wash or even swim every day.  Deep Creek The best part was a long stop at the natural hot springs that flowed into the river. No pictures, as this is a clothing optional location. Deep Creek Canyon After leaving the Deep River Canyon, I went swimming in beautiful Silverwood Lake, after which water became scarce again. Silverwood Lake  Then it was time again for another visit to the desert floor at Cajon Pass, this time without the high winds. Approaching Cajon Pass It was fascinating to see the arteries of commerce, the rail lines with their endless cargo trains and the I-15 Interstate with heavy truck and car traffic, after days in the wilderness. I-15 Never Sleeps I hiked through Swarthout Canyon where caring trail angels had stashed water canisters. Then...

  I woke up to a layer of dust on everything, my sleeping bag, my face, my eyelids, the tent floor. Outside, the sun was just coming up over the mountain ridge and I opened the tent to see the beautiful sunrise.   Sunrise The wind had finally eased and I got to make breakfast and pack up without problems. Shortly after I started hiking it picked back up and most of the day was a struggle against the wind. The Calm Before The Wind Picked Up Dust In The Wind To The Desert Floor I finally reached the desert floor and with it a water spigot provided by the local water authority, the first water source in the last 20 miles. I had carried all water for the previous day and that morning with me. Cheers! The desert floor turned out to be sort of a wasteland. I had to cross busy railroad tracks with long rattling freight trains as well as Interstate 10 through underpasses. Container Trains Heading To L.A. Over me, there were high voltage cables from a nearby wind farm humming i...