Stats

Start: Flat spot by dirt road – Mile 424.9
End: Acton RV Park – Mile 444.3
Elevation Max: 6,529
Elevation Min: 2,454
Elevation Change: 2,622 up & 5,682 down
Average Heart Rate: 116
Walking Time: 6 hrs 5 minutes
Date: 4/27/2022

The Walk

The outside of my sleeping bag was damp. I no longer have a mini panic attack when I feel water droplets on the outside in the middle of the night. I understand condensation is part of cowboy camping.

I laid in my sleeping bag, relaxed. Today had no deadlines. The race for tickets was in the past. This morning I could relax, let my mind wander, and walk. I broke camp at 6:40. And walked past the two people I met last night.

I feel tired at the end of each day, but don’t feel like my body is that challenged. I still have plenty left in the tank most days. But I don’t need to go faster. I have to remind myself it’s not a race. It’s simply an experience and a chance to learn.

The morning was filled with wide and open views of mountains. Dead, burnt trees lined the trail, but they were still standing. Even with charred bark, they were some of my favorite trees so far.

I walked across a ridge all morning. At times the trail was narrowed by protruding bushes. That’s why I wear long sleeves and pants! Today I don’t envy the folks in shorts and T-shirts. They must have been scratched up!

The trail morphed to dry creek beds and cool forests for only a few minutes. Then it was back to the desert. The trail turned sandy and I could feel the sun beating. I had climbed down to around 3k elevation. You can tell a big difference between the weather and air at 3k and 7k feet.

I stopped by a ranger station for lunch. A sliver of paradise in the desert. It had water, picnics tables, restrooms, and shade. I met Todd, who maintains the water, and told him I appreciate the water and everything he does for the hiking community. He has done it for 20 years!! So cool. Without that charge, it would have been a 20+ mile water carry.

All afternoon the trail meandered around desert ridges. Expansive views kept getting bigger. No matter how many pictures I took, I couldn’t capture the vastness of the desert landscapes, mountains stacked behind mountains in intricate patterns. But I will never forget the feeling of looking out.

Flowers really started to bloom in the afternoon. The recent rain must have caused them to shoot up. I am grateful for the rain and the experience. And also that I’m not hiking this section a month from now! It felt hot to me and it’s not even hot yet by California standards. Only around 80.

Around 2:00 I saw the RV park below the ridge I was hiking. It looked so close, but it was 2.2 trail miles away! The trail wandered around and around; before finally making it to the ridge. The ice cream and cold drink was so close that I could almost taste it.

I finished the last miles and got to the RV park. Walked in and got some snacks. About 30- hikers were already there. Wow! Everyone must stop here. This is the most hikers I’ve seen in one spot all trip.

I did laundry, showered and chatted with new friends. It was cool to see new faces and hear new stories. After a few rounds at the market I decided to call it a night. Tomorrow I need to resupply l, then I’ll hike 10 miles to the next town. It will be a nice short hike. I heard you can camp at a vacant town lot.