Our camp in the clouds meant, obviously, that I woke up to find everything damp. We packed up as quickly as possible, thanks to the cold, and headed out.
Less than an hour into the hike Pockets stopped to find a convenient bush, while I proceeded ahead. This is pretty much standard operating procedure, as it is assumed that the person lagging behind will eventually catch up. Today, though, it was destined to be more complicated. The trail followed a disused service road and, when it split off at an unmarked junction that was hidden behind a downed tree, I kept going on the road. Fortunately, the road ended a quarter of a mile later. I backtracked and found the split. I spent time making stone arrows pointing to the trail. I figured that Pockets was either behind me still, in which case the arrows would help, or he got ahead of me while I was on my detour. I wouldn't see him again for 11 hours.
Since I had no way of knowing what pace to go I gave up on finding Pockets and settled into my old pace. Most of the day was easy going, level or downhill, with about 1000 feet uphill in the morning and again in the evening. I cruised down through hillsides thronging with wildflowers. Flowering shrubs of yellow and purple formed a shoulder high labyrinth through which I hiked for hours.
Toward the end of the day I came to Vasquez Rocks, which is well worth the trip to see. There were giant conglomerate rock formations, twisted by upheaval and sculpted by erosion. But there were also dozens of plant species. I wandered past chamise, mormon tea, black and California sage, sycamore, willow, scrub oak, poison oak, our lord's candle, giant rye grass, and many others.
When I finally got to Agua Dulce after another 30 mile day I was offered a ride out to Hikers' Heaven, aka the home of the Saufleys. They are dedicated to helping through hikers, and have everything from hiker boxes to sleeping arrangements. Pockets rolled into town around 6. Apparently he got lost on the same road I did, only going the opposite direction and much further. We are spending the night in the Saufleys' motorhome while two other hikers stay in a manufactured home in the yard specifically for PCT hikers. I am snug after a shower, wearing loaner clothes from my hosts, because Mrs. Saufley insisted on doing my laundry for me. Truly trail angels!!!
