Friday, June 6, 2008

Crossing the Mojave
















After leaving the Saufley's house in Agua Dulce, it was a nice but uneventful stroll to our next resupply town Lake Hughes. We got to the Post Office ten minutes after they closed for lunch but the nice Postmaster let us get our boxes which included many homemade goodies from friends and family. Thanks for the calories! The trail register was another interesting highlight for us. There are trail registers in most town along the trail. They allow hikers to sign-in and correspond with other hikers. What made this particular register unique was the fact that it had entries dating back to the late '70s which is when the first thru-hikers came through. Back then, the trail was actually routed through Lake Hughes. Now the trail has been rerouted and most hikers skip this town. There were also entries from our good hiking partners Stephanie and Brandan Hill from 1996 and Griz & Yum from their hike in 1999.

After Lake Hughes, we had to mentally prepare ourselves to cross the Mojave desert. In 1996 it was a mind-broiling stretch with little water or shade. This time it turned out to be a nonevent. Once again, temps were mild and we had a nice cool breeze. The downside is that the trail is routed to walk right on top of the LA Aqueduct for almost 16 miles. It may not sound bad but road walking is the most painful type of walking - monotonous and unforgiving. We actually did a 25-mile day followed by a 23-mile day. Not recommended! So we are now in Tehachapi taking a full day off to rest our weary bodies. North of Tehachapi denotes the start of the mighty Sierra Nevada mountain range. Although we won't hit the big peaks until after Kennedy Meadows, we are excited to be leaving the desert behind us for awhile. The Sierra Nevada is the highpoint of the Trail, both literally and figuratively.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The photos are beautiful! Sounds like you both are having quite an expierence this time out. Look forward to hearing and seeing more!

~Jeff & Michael

Steven Freehawk said...

Greetings!

Trail Angels... :-) I love it

This post reminds me of a song...

"Well I been from Tucson to Tucumcari, Tahachapi and Tonapah ...and if you give me weed, whites and wine and ya show me a sign, I'll be willin' to be be movin'"

Sending you both good thoughts and I'll also be sending you a letter very soon...and some treats :-) to Tuolumne Meadows.

I'm going to write a description of wonderful and life changing adventure /'trip' that I enjoyed there back in 1978...30 years ago the very same week you will be traversing the John Muir travel.

You're my heros...Keep on truckin!

Peace & Love

Freehawk

Anonymous said...

URGENT!! Call Daniela ASAP, please! 6/7/08

We would like to use the truck for an amazing opportunity that came up for El Grupo...

Unknown said...

Totally jealous!!! Wish we we're with you guys! Lily says hi! Be safe!

: ) Buzzz

Anonymous said...

That road probably looked even longer to you than it does to us in the photo. How exciting to be moving upwards into the Sierra Nevada!

Anonymous said...

Hi Guys:
Your pictures and stories are amazing. Hope the trip is going well, and love the root beer float lady. What a treat after a hot and dry trek. Hope you are not anywhere near the forest fires or brush fires out there near Sacrament and who knows where. Stay safe and we look forward to hearing all the new adventures.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to use L&C's blog, but anyone who loves cats needs to read www.animalhomebuddies.com/blog. If you can help the cats at the Hermitage Cat Shelter, I would greatly appreciate it. Lori is the one who encourage me to volunteer at the Hermitage where I eventually began working. Things have taken a dramatic turn for the worse for the kitties and I just wanted to send out this plea.
Thank you-
Carlen Torres

Anonymous said...

We can`t wait to see you dirty stinky hippies @ high sierra! Hike on you short haired freak!Hope the trail is treating you both well as I know that it is.Braiden leaves next week and I`m finally starting to freak out. He says "hey" and sorry he wont be seeing you @high sierra but he has better things to do. later, Campbell clan