Stats

Start: Dirt road – Mile 625.5
End: Walker Pass Campground – Mile 651.3
Elevation Max: 6,912
Elevation Min: 5,025
Elevation Change: 4,813 up & 4,883 down
Average Heart Rate: 124
Walking Time: 7 hrs 26 minutes
Date: 5/10/2022

The Walk

A cold morning. I didn’t want to get out of bed. Chef slept in the vestibule last night, right next to my tent. I heard him packing up at 5:30. And I rolled over then went back to sleep. It was below freezing. I didn’t want to deal with it.

I slept another hour and got moving at 6:30. I slowly packed up my gear and was walked at 7:10. We had 25 miles to a campground right outside of Ridgecrest.

Ridgecrest is big enough for a Walmart. Which means a resupply will be cheap and easy. I only had a 1/3 liter of water left with 5.5 miles and a big climb. I took a few sips and went on my way. It was cold, windy, and sandy climb. Not a fun morning.

The desert was barren. And I understand why. We pushed through and got to the water cache in a few hours. There were fifty 5 gallon jugs of water and a few medical supplies. A really helpful stop since there are no natural water sources close.

I had a snack then kept moving. The next section was a big climb, 1,600 feet. It wasn’t too sandy or steep so I cruised up the hill. Jack rabbit and I took a break an hour later once we found cell service. We needed to plan our town stop.

No cell service makes planning town stops challenging. We don’t have a place to stay and will be in town tomorrow. I called a bus company to check on schedule. Bus 227 goes by walker pass at 6:45am. As long as we are by the bus stop waiting, it will pick us up.

Jack rabbit called a trail angel and found us rooms, shower, and laundry for 30 bucks!Perfect. The last 12 miles of the day were relaxing. The first 7 miles was a ridge walk and rolling hills, the last 5 was a mild downhill into camp. The sunny 40 degree weather felt great after two days of walking into the freezing wind blasts. And not being warm while resting or taking a break.

I cruised the last miles and made it to camp. Camp had water and a fruit cache!! An apple and orange hit the spot. Chef, Jack rabbit, Surplus, and I all pitched tents at the campground. It was going to be another night below freezing. I’m not looking forward to tomorrow’s freezing mile walk to the bus stop. All my clothes are going on!