Got my new pack, on the trail and I'm taking a break.  The new pack is very different from the old one. The Atmos is designed to fit the body like a glove rather than sit on the hips and shoulders like most packs. It will take some getting used to.  I hit the trail … Continue reading On my way to Walker Pass

Wednesday ------- Mojave is a tiny town with not much to recommend it, but it does have a decent market and the Motel-6 is cheap.  The gang are all taking a zero today and leaving early Thursday. Sadly, my new backpack won't be in till Thursday afternoon so I'll be half a day behind the … Continue reading Kicking back in Mojave

After a windy night, Sunday started with blue sky and no wind. The trail follows the California Aqueduct  for many, many miles and is mindlessly boring. Even though the temperature was 79-82 the sun was very strong making this a tough section.  I should mention at Hikertown I caught up with my buds from earlier: … Continue reading Mojave – desert and turbines

Blue sky today!  Still a bit cool and windy, but otherwise outstanding hiking weather.  I left the Andersons about 6:30 and got a hitch to Elizabeth Lake Dr. There is another PCT trail closure due to a fire in 2013 that necessitates a road walk. After 6 miles I reached the town of Lake Hughes … Continue reading On to Mojave – Hikertown

18 miles today got me to another Trail Angel's home. Their moto: "A place where we can all be insane at the same time." The Andersons have a property that abuts the wilderness area. People camp in the Manzanita forest in back. Since there were already 60+ people here, I ended up Way up the … Continue reading On to Mojave – Casa De Luna

"It isn't the mountains ahead that wear you down, it is the grain of sand in your shoe" Gaiters are protective clothing that fit over shoes/boots and possibly your legs. They keep dirt and debris out of your shoe and with tall ones keep snow out as well.  I had been wearing some wonderful Running … Continue reading Gaiters, not the Ali kind…

New shoes, pants and shirt. Its on again!   I returned four pairs of Brooks shoes to REI: 2 new/unused and two used with holes in the tops. No problem. I'm trying shoes by Vasque now. They seem to fit fine and have good ratings. I purchased their last two pair then ordered 3 more … Continue reading On the road to Mojave

I arose early to another grey, overcast morning. Packed my Dew-damp tent and hit the trail just after 6:30am.  It was just eight miles to the KOA and I was motivated to make good time and arrived before 9:30am.  Overall, it's a real nice KOA; They have Showers, Laundry, Pool and Hot Tub. However, it's … Continue reading Acton KOA

Saturday -------- Well, the snow was far easier to hike in than I anticipated. I started early at 6:30am at the point I stopped before which was at 7,000 ft. The snow was crusty/icy and wasn't too bad to hike in. I made good time (only slipped twice) and once I got below 6,000ft the … Continue reading On to Acton KOA

Like a broken record, this is the third time I've set out from Wrightwood. The residents here are nice, and I've become a familiar face, but I really, really want this one to stick.  Really!  At least the 34 miles I hiked Wed/Thu won't be in vain; I will get a ride back to where … Continue reading On my way again, again…