Day 42 – 3 May 19. Back on the trail and up we go
I packed the last of my things and stripped the bed. I had not been able to find sheets so I all I could do was put the sheets in the washing machine. One of the other hikers had already put the coffee on so I was able to have a coffee with the Cherry Turnover I brought at the bakery yesterday.
Cheryl arrived at 0710 and we left. It was good conversation in the car and I was able to learn a little more about her as she drove me to the trail head. We hugged goodbye. She is such a lovely person and I am glad we got to meet.
I walked to the marker to touch it and was back on trail. My pack is the heaviest it has ever been as I have 8 days food and 3 litres of water as this is a dry stretch of trail. As a result I am intending too keep my speed gentle and take more frequent breaks.
The trail ran beside the freeway for a mile before starting a big climb. The climb was not steep and I enjoyed looking down to see the progress. It was progress in height not distance as I could still see the road.
Butterflies in the sky
There were still heaps of butterflies and flowers to keep me entertained.
From the top of the hill the trail went along the side of some hills and into a lovely forested area. There were beautiful views off to the left.
I stopped for a break and had the caramel pinwheel, my last fresh food for a while. The temperature was lovely and I took my time enjoying the sounds of the forest.
The trail continued in the forest for a while before joining a dirt 4WD track and starting down hill. It was a long downhill. On the way down I saw what I thought was a racoon. It had the ringed tail.
At the bottom of the hill I had lunch, sitting on a log in a patch of shade. I think I may have too much food but I enjoyed the variety of snacks, having a little of most things. The final thing too do was put electrolyte tablets in my water.
Now it was a steady uphill, still on the road. One man was going the other direction but did not say anything except hi. A lady also going that direction said she had started at Walker Pass and was only going 400 miles. I commented that this was a long distance and she replied that it would be anywhere but on this trail.
At the top there was more wind Turbines and the trail now left the road and went between areas of wind turbines along the side of the hill.
The track was a bit rougher, with more rocks on the trail. The trail continued on the side of the hill for the rest of the time until the spring. There were some areas with neat rocks and still lots of flowers and butterflies.
I saw a new type of snake. It was light green with a bright orange belly. It was only small and I was impressed at it’s ability to climb what seemed like sheer rock as it moved away from me.
I also met a lady who had hurt her ankle so was now heading back to Tehachapi to get it seen to.
I arrived at the spring and there were two men there, one going north and one going south. I filled up all of my water. The north bounder left and the south bounder decided he was going to camp there. I was feeling good so I continued on.
Overweight pack with 8 days food
The trail dropped a little and then went on the side of a hill below the wind turbines. About a mile on there was a pile of food on the side of the trail. It looked like someone decided they did not want too carry so much and dumped it out, possibly for others to use. It would have been better to do this at the spring.
I enjoyed the last few miles as the views were great. Above me were some large hills with cliffs on them and there were forest covered hills to my right.
I climbed over a saddle and then it was a final drop down to a patch of trees where I set up camp.
The extra weight of my pack was not as bad as I had been dreading. I think the regular rests helped.
Views: 445
Yeah, probably a coon then. Still cool!
So, this ring-tailed creature. Was it kind of chunky and fat and hunched over looking? If so, I would say that’s definitely a raccoon. But in California we also have a more rare and elusive critter called a “ring-tailed cat”, which looks a lot like the name suggests. It’s a lot thinner and faster. It’s not in the weasel family, and doesn’t move like one, but it’s more that size. I would say you didn’t see a ring-tailed cat because they are shy and nocturnal, but so are raccoons.
So, this ring-tailed creature. Was it kind of chunky and fat and hunched over looking? If so, I would say that’s definitely a raccoon. But in California we also have a more rare and elusive critter called a “ring-tailed cat”, which looks a lot like the name suggests. It’s a lot thinner and faster. It’s not in the weasel family, and doesn’t move like one, but it’s more that size. I would say you didn’t see a ring-tailed cat because they are shy and nocturnal, but so are raccoons.
I only got a brief glimpse but it didn’t move like a cat.