5/19/20, mile 624, elevation 5,594 ft.
Well, I was wrong about the weather. Instead of rain it was sleet/snow in the early morning hours. Nothing bad enough to be a pain, just enough to freeze my rainfly and dust the forest floor with white. Once I was warmed up, it was “cool” to see.
But it never really got warm. I thought it would, and I was ‘ok’ if I was moving in the sun, but in the breeze or shade, I got chilled. Which means I was burning more calories to keep warm.
The trail traverses an area that I visited years ago on the Kings of the West Rally. It was a motorcycle even from Piute Mountain to Brian Head, Utah. It was odd being in the same area from so long ago, but on different terms. I could see the roads I was on before and reminiscing about power sliding around much faster than I’m going now. That was a good trip!
The trail off of Piute Mountain descends out of the lovely trees into desert again. Down and down it goes back to sand, rocks and scrub brush. The shade from the clouds over the mountains behind me keeps me cool, so I don’t waste time with breaks. They’re the same clouds that put the wind on me yesterday. They still look menacing.
I reach Kelso Valley Road where some lovely trail angels have cached over 200 gallons of water for hikers. Without this, completing this section quickly without many long detours to springs would be impossible. I tried my best to get out of the wind to cook and relax a little, but it was fruitless. I decided to eat more, I just felt my energy dropping due to the cool air and the wind. I don’t think I can skip a resupply off of Walker Pass. And what turns out to be the highlight of my day were two women who stopped by and offered the only spare food they had, a chewy granola bar. Still, I was very thankful and told them so.
This next section is mentally tough. Long views, big sky, no shade and no wind blocks. You can view the path for what looks like miles, and it doesn’t change quickly, making your mind think that you’re going nowhere quickly. And then there’s the wind.
ITJUST WON’T END!!!
I just want to sit and rest, eat some easy food and be out of the wind. But I can’t. Well, I first have to walk like forever and find a place, but who knows where that is. Being tired and hungry doesn’t help. I’m glad no one is around me now, I wouldn’t be good company. The next listed rest stop is a picnic table at a road crossing. The wind gusts here are worse than when I did the wind generator walk before Tehachapi. Un-freakin’ believable. The trail goes along the leeward side of the ridge now, but it only reduces the wind. I’m starting to feel at my wits end, I just want the day to be done. The thought of pitching my tent in this is maddening. Walking in this feels maddening. Why am I doing this?
I scope out some sites that aren’t listed on the app, but the sand and lack of rocks makes me nervous of the wind changing direction in the middle of the night. So I trudge on to the next site. It’s in a canyon that’s cross-wise to the wind, so it isn’t so bad, but it’s still gusty. The Joshua trees I’m camped next to sound very eery when high winds go through their spines. And yes, those are spines.
Once in my tent I start to look ahead at tomorrow. Besides a water cache not too far away, I still have climbing, desert and wind to deal with. What a change from this morning. Jesus H. Chrysler why am I here?
Savior out.