Manache Meadow/Kern River to CS732.2 (716.5 to 732.2) Daily miles: 15.7 Leave behind the sparrows swooping through sunbeams in the early morning air and begin the 3000 foot climb.  Enter, like a stranger, this new land.  Walk slowly and gather water when I cross a stream.  Gasp and pant and struggle and stop at least … More June 14 (Day 44)

Kennedy Meadows General Store to Kern River/Menache Meadow (702.2 to 716.5 + .6 miles back to trail) Daily miles: 14.9 miles I estimate over 100 hikers stayed behind the general store last night, so I tried to get out early in the morning.  Lots of people choosing to take zero days here. All of my … More June 13 (Day 43)

CS696.9 to General Store in Kennedy Meadows (696.9 to 702.2 + .6 mile road walk) Daily miles: 5.9 Last night it rained.  Not for long, and not very hard, but it was the first night rain of the trip and my tent was wet in the morning.  I hiked out late, 8:30, because I won’t … More June 12 (Day 42)

CS672.8 to CS696.9 (672.8 to 696.9) Daily miles: 24.1 Today was the last full day in the “desert section.”  I will miss it dearly. I’ve never enjoyed hiking as much as I have the past few weeks.  I’ve loved the sunrise and sunset.  The cacti in bloom with their pink or orange or purple or … More June 11 (Day 41)

Walker Pass CG to CS672.8(651.3 to 672.8) Daily miles: 21.5 Intro To The Sierra.  Leave behind Walker Pass and the late-sleepers.  Feel the buzz of caffeine and processed sugar, which make my legs twitch and move and go fast.  Start walking up and see the road below grow smaller.  Get passed by a trail runner.  … More June 10 (Day 40)

Bird Spring Pass to Walker Pass CG (630.8 to 651.3) Daily miles: 20.5 The dehydration roadshow continues, but I’m given a short reprieve in the morning hours.  All night long the wind blew, and sand gathered in my hair and around my things which I had carefully arranged as a poor man’s windbreaker.  Sand in … More June 9 (Day 39)

Landers Meadow to Bird Spring Pass (608.9 to 630.8) Daily miles: 21.9 A pack full of 100 mile food, and now, 42 mile water.  I’m weighed down with consumables, which are tricky things because I hike with the knowledge that eating/drinking them will make me feel better and lighten my load.  But to eat and … More June 8 (Day 38)

CS592.9 to Landers Meadow Camp (592.9 to 608.9) Daily miles: 16 I find myself in the middle of a long section, the end not yet in sight and already the comforts of Tehachapi fading.  Metal exhaustion.  Muscle fibers pulled and stretched and torn.  Everything mended in time.  Pass deer on the trail, follow a mother … More June 7 (Day 37)

CS573.3 to CS592.9 (573.3 to 592.9) Daily miles: 19.8 A normal day: Wake up when the sun says get up.  Bright red sky this morning and the city of Mojave down below, Monday morning and people go to work.  The windmills are still blinking red, so it’s not full light yet.  Drink coffee stronger than … More June 6 (Day 36)

Tehachapi – Willow Springs Rd to CS573.3 (558.5 to 573.3) Daily miles: 14.8 The Chimney Fire has been contained, and all the hikers rejoice.  Somehow it didn’t damage the trail at all, so the closure is lifted.  Very good news, obviously.  I manage to get out of Tehachapi before noon via a lift from local … More June 5 (Day 35)