5/7/20, mile: 495, elevation: 5,141 ft.
This was a pretty decent camp spot. Flat developed tent pads that had large timbers for sitting, water nearby, a little shade to keep the moonlight at bay, and the temps were perfect for more cowboy camping. The only downside was the road noise from the visible highway, but that disappeared quickly as the night and exhaustion came on.
Today was more climbs, especially right out of the gate. Safety apparently took off from his glorious siesta spot yesterday and camped just on the other side of the highway; he passed my spot just before I was ready to depart. We both seem to have the same body clock for early morning starts. Because it was early, the climb wasn’t too hot yet, with lots of shady spots to catch our breath. We leapfrogged each other up the hill, with him beating me to the top….but he took a wrong turn. Still within earshot, I gave a “Oye!” to let him know before descending through some wonderful greenery on the north slope.
I powered through and made it to the next water source which is a large concrete cistern…and there was Gunner. He was having a late morning, which surprised me. Soon Safety shows up, we check the water (good enough for me at least) and then I take off again. I’m looking at the topo maps and don’t like the exposure for this section. At the next ridge road crossing, I can’t help but to leave a courtesy directional note for Safety; you know, some things can’t be let go.
The next water sources aren’t shown on the navigation app, but user notes mention them. Close together, they provide great respite for wetting my clothing and providing drinking water; this is almost too easy. The road crossing for Lake Hughes changes this. Both Safety and Gunner have passed me by this point; by the time I see them again at the next spring part way up the next mountain climb, they’re getting ready to leave. I take time to cook some carbs, drink lots of water, and pack some to go. Within a couple of miles, the trail tops out, the breeze kicks up, and my spirits are lifted enough to make some phone calls as I walk (Mojave Desert/AT&T service in view). But oh is that short lived.
The trail is now exposed, windless and it climbs. What have I done? It’s midafternoon and I’m miserable. I slow my pace to prevent excessive sweating (and electrolyte loss), but it’s still not fun. Once I reach a wonderful treed area, there’s Safety in the shade enjoying bliss. Gunner has moved on somewhere. I don’t have enough water to hang here, only enough to take a break for my legs and feet in the shade and views of Edwards Dry Lake. Then on I must go.
The next reliable water source on trail makes for a long day (the addition of carrying that water to the next ANY camping spot makes it longer. After collecting the water, I promise myself I’ll take the next flat spot that looks decent for sleeping. Again, I find one that it’s on the app, but is glorious for me. Views of Edwards Dry Lake (and the subsequent sunrise in the ‘morrow), and just enough shade on the south side of my cowboy spot to keep the moonlight at bay in the middle of the night.
It was a long day, some cool and green, some blistering hot and dry, and sharing good times with my comrades. Trail life is good. Tomorrow is another milestone.
Savior out.