The spot where we slept was a dry wash composed of what can only be described as infinity deep beach sand, not the fine dust we had come to know on and around the trail itself. Although it may not have seen water in months (or years?), it looked as if the banks were carved out yesterday. That's how the desert is, change is slow, or not at all. I saw many animal prints in the sand; there is no telling how long they have been there.
The unknown hiker in the tent had a small fire going. It was aweful - smelled like burning rubber. The desert was suprisingly cold last night. The unknown hiker's name was Jeff; we had met him yesteday at Hikertown. He carried a very large pack. Another hiker said Jeff had left his wife due to 'unfriendly' circumstances and all Jeff's posessions were on his back. Tails from the trails.
We got water from the Aquaduct spigot and were off and hiking. The first few miles were flat and sandy. Almost like walking on the beach. Joshua trees, cactus, low shrubs and an occasional house trailer. Why do people live out here? Never saw a single snake here. A few jack rabbits. Lots of cyote yips and howls. We could see for miles and miles. Our trek was in plain view: flat desert, rolling chapparel and finally, green mountains. As we approached, we start to distinguish the outline of tiny (distant) pine trees. These trees were goodness, they were the source of cool shade. By 9 am it was hot (high 80s). We started to climb the chaperral foot hills. We each had 5 liters of water for this 24 miles and that brought our pack weigh to a high we had not felt since starting in Mexico.
Climbing the chapparrel was difficult as expected. At about 8 miles into the hike we sat down for a break. A 'funny' thing happpened, mosquitos started buzzing over my head. First thought, 'mosquitos need water to breed, there isn't any water around here, is there?'. Yes there was, Tylerhorse canyon creek was still flowing. This was contrary to reports it would be dry. Guess we didn't need to lug 5 liters of water out here, could have only carried 2.
There was a young hiker called Riddle sitting in the shade by the creek. She seemed very content and conversed wih us politely. She was in no rush to hike on.
We continued to hike higher and higher out of the chapparrel and closer to the pines on the mountain. We stopped about 12:15 and had a 2 and 1/2 hr lunch in the shade of a juniper bush. I actually fell asleep under this bush.
After lunch we continued to hike into the pines. At the top of the mountain dirt bike trails started to cut into our trail. It made the dirt deep and sandy and we got off trail twice. We finished the evening by walking by a wind farm and wild horses. The day was ended after 24 miles where we slept under and oak tree at cotton wood creek after eating with Mike at a trail head picnic area. This was a good day.
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