Packed up and got a few miles in before breakfast stop at some shade & under a power tower. Beautiful ravens watching us eat - hoping for some leftovers…

Only a few miles of beautiful windy twisty back and forth trail this morning - pass by rock/sand formations & long grasses flowing in the breeze.

In the distance you can see major highways and roads with cars zipping by. There are also multiple train lines running to and fro - a major transit hub unfolds before our eyes as we hike.

Passing by a beautiful creek and chunky rock ringed valley we are deposited at a major freeway and frontage road (appears to be an old part of route 66).

A short off trail walk brings us to McDonald’s for air conditioning, outlets to charge up phones and battery bricks and 3 square meals for the day. The right side of the McDonald’s is filled with stinky hikers and big backpacks.

Upon our arrival breakfast is being served - I got 2 bacon egg biscuits a hash brown and a coke.

Went nextdoor to the gas station to resupply for the next two days - slim pickings for food but chips, giant pickle, meat sticks, candy and such will make due for two days.

Went back to McDonald’s to hangout until lunchtime - and avoid the full heat of the day (hot today!).

For lunch I ordered a 10 piece chicken nugget meal with BBQ sauce and buffalo sauce, fries and a burger (same cup for more coke).

For dinner (to go - eat on trail) I got two cheeseburgers.

Late afternoon - back on trail we road walk until the freeway underpass. It is covered with graffiti and there are some unique characters hanging out here - happy to hike on out of here!

Crossed under the railroad tracks and back out and away from “civilization.”

More long flowy grass and large rock formations along the trail. Railroad crossing and passed through a large (and echoy) drainage tube. A climb up on ridges overlooking the freeway (and traffic jams) in the distance.

Hiked on to a water cache - several gallon jugs brought out by trail angels. We will camp here tonight as this is the last available water source for the next 22+ miles. Not only do we have a big climb up tomorrow we will need to carry heavy with water as no other reliable sources…

Many other hikers have the same plan/timeline as we do - so there are several hikers here. Hung out and ate dinner (McDonald’s - see above), shared trail stories and relaxed.

I can’t believe I ate McDonald’s for three meals today 🫪

@ 3474 ft elevation