Monday Day 44

5.7.2018

Well the day started like the last few, that is I wake up with the sunrise and shortly thereafter I hear Fossil’s alarm. Cruise was still tucked in his tent when we walked off. Just as we started to head out though, I heard Fossil say “uh oh….” Remember that critter I told you about last night???? Well, I must have pissed him off. His attempt at my food was futile, but his attempt at the wrist straps of Fossil’s trekking poles??? Success. That little marmot chewed both straps off and left no evidence of the crime. Fossil just became one step closer to “ultralight” status.

So we went about our daily walk. Seven miles mostly downhill to Walker Pass Campground. We knew to either expect the faucet to be on (only a slim hope) or we’d have to cross the highway and head down to a concrete cistern to filter from. Well, as the kindness of others always shines through when you least expect it, today we found Nancy and Mike. They have been parked for a few days at the CG doing trail magic. Mike was actually gone when we arrived, as he had taken a hiker into Lake Isabella for some foot care. Nancy welcomed us with drinks and food and a shady spot to chill out. It was barely 10AM and we had planned to eat a late breakfast but the trail magic turned into a long lunch. I ate a danish, fresh watermelon, a ham & cheese sandwich and drank a Snapple and a Gatorade. See what happens when you put food in front of hungry hikers!!!! She also provided plenty of jugs of clean fresh water–so no I never drank the sulfur tasting water. So we were there for about 2 hours, time sure flies when you’re putting your feet up like that. Nancy was super nice. She’s a retired nurse. Her husband Mike often does section hikes of the PCT. They both love giving back and boy, are we thankful for them.

The climb after the Campground wasn’t terrible. Just a little hot, but we found a shady spot after the first 2.5 miles to catch a quick break. We had just enough cell service to send out a few quick messages and I updated the blog. After that we still had another 10 miles to go and it was after 1pm already. We powered through the next few miles and made it to Joshua Tree Creek around 630. This is where the glowing water was said to be. We opted to skip that for the day and gamble with a smaller tent site another mile up the trail. We each have about a liter and a half of water with us currently and 3 miles until the next source tomorrow. Easy. The scary thing this evening is that there had been bear activity in these campsites. As tired as I am I know I will sleep but I hate the thought of a bear encounters. I’ve got my whistle ready!

So 21 miles for the day. Kennedy Meadows is getting closer and closer. Laura and her husband Andrew are ahead of just about an hour ago, so maybe I’ll see them in Kennedy Meadows as well. I heard Justin might’ve getting there tomorrow. That guy is doing crazy miles now.

Oh and as of yesterday I have less than 2000 miles to Canada!