Awake and ready to hike - big mile goals today so we can meetup with Steven earlier tomorrow and have a lazy and relaxing day (Steven is car camping ahead of us and will be resupplying us and cooking us dinner too - so much to look forward to!).

The trail turns into a rough looking dirt road right away - “dirt road” walking for several miles today. Terrain is rolly with great views!

My ZPack fanny pack broke - now it is an unattached pouch 😡.

Eventually the road ends and we’re back on a real trail. Devon is using her new sun umbrella - she looks like a little alien flying saucer navigating through scrub brush on trail.

The trail winds in and out on the side of mountain creases. Big rock formations and chunks dominate the landscape. The vegetation has many sprouting agave and shrubs.

Water flowing at a creek running right across the trail. Looking ahead the next water source is far ahead (off trail past our desired camping location)… Filled up with 5.5 liters for today and camp and the push to Steven tomorrow…

The terrain changes quickly again to oak and pine forest, the trail is dappled in shade.

Road cross and more wind turbines dominate the scene - creaking and rumbling and groaning while they spin. …not sure how they’re spinning as there’s no wind on the ground to be felt.

Lunched in a shady spot on trail - about halfway through our mileage goal.

The afternoon is warm and there are many hills with switchbacks to climb.

Eventually we make it to camp and set-up.

I am testing doing a cold soak of a Mountain House meal (chicken pad Thai). The internet says to just double the cook time (15 min x 2 = 30 minutes) - more like quadruple! Took almost an hour for the food to become edible - good to know as I’m contemplating getting rid of my cook kit (stove, gas, etc) and just cold soaking for the remainder of the trail - TBD.

To bed and a book… 😴

@ 5039 ft. Elevation