The road out of Casa de Luna was treacherous. When i shipped out the clouds still hung low around the mountains and i foolishly climbed up into them. I was so itchy after a zero in Hiker Heaven and Casa de Luna but i did not know what i was asking for. A few days apart from the sun and man i was getting gloomy.
The trail even tried to provide, with a cozy little cave that i took a meaty nap in after partying to Hollaback Girl, which i’m sure there’s a video of somewhere. The nap didn’t take though, every mile between Casa de Luna and Hiker Town was a struggle.
Thankfully the sun returned to me and i got to dry out all my soaked gear and also just sit in its love. The next morning i got into Hiker Town.
The whole place felt kind of like the fake city from Blazing Saddles. Almost every building had a nasty mattress in it. They had also been fostering a rivalry with another hiker oasis that i don’t remember what it’s called. Vibes in Hiker Town were odd to be sure, thankfully i only stayed for a couple hours. Also i got a mystery box from Scout that was pretty legit.
Up next was the aqueduct. I’d put in a picture of the elevation profile but i already loaded the next section in my guide and i can’t be bothered. It was mega flat tho, straight through a valley pictured below. Most people opted to night hike that section because of the harsh sun on the valley floor coupled with the 16 mile water carry. I headed out to the 24 miles at around 4.
We started next to an open aquaduct, moved to a pipe, and then walked along the concrete top of the aquaduct for many miles. The whole time i was walking for pleasure and not for business. I cranked some Carly Rae followed by both Fun albums. I brushed and flossed for a solid .4 miles. I threw on the Doctor and played guitar for a good hour or so. The sunset was behind me so i had to keep hiking backwards which slowed me down a bit, and at 10 i crashed out.
The next morning i entered the valley of giants. We snaked through these beasts as they slowly woke up and turned their faces into the building winds.
I took a gnarly 2 hour nap under a small bush at high noon to try to dodge some of the relentless desert heat.
Yesterday morning i was a gentle 18 away from Tehachapi. After 10 miles i rolled up to Patient Zero smoking in the back of a trail angel named Rachel’s car. They recruited me to stay in town at her place for the night and slackpack the other 8 between there and the next road crossing.
Of course i did. We watched Two Towers last night and gave out 14 beers on trail today as we slackpacked sobo 8 lovely miles through the largest wind farm in the states. It was real cool but i didn’t bring my phone with me so no pictures sorry instead here’s a dog sitting on Patient Zero
there was rejoicing
pct firing on all cylinders
the cave post-casa was a delightful spark. the hike that day difficult. the following day with big sun and cold wind, perfect for the descent to the desert expanse.
hiker town sure was neat. shoutouts to trail drama i guess. hard considerations to prune that section, so i did lol. i sat outside of one of the mini buildings in the shade during the crushing heat of the afternoon drinking beer with hikers.
the aqueduct made my soul feel large; big big energy
dude i love wind turbines so much. i’m at a loss for words when it comes to how they make me feel to be in their company.
i see you hauser all up in the front seat of the ride.
i’m glad and sad that i don’t have any pictures of just how many giants live in that wind farm valley. i’m only sad that i still can’t put words to what they do to me.
that trio of dog sit photos still makes me laugh
man i dunno 