My mood was better this morning, though I decided to go easy anyway. I left a lot of gear with my parents to save weight. For example, I traded my all weather shell for a light poncho I got in a resupply package from the Henderson family. I also left a lot of cold weather kit which I will get back just before entering the high Sierra. Even so, I have a full pack, so I want to ease my way back into hiking.
My feet are a bit sore. I switched to a low cut running sock, which means new areas of my feet will have to adjust. The socks have less padding but are lighter, smaller, and cheaper. I still haven't decided how I feel about them.
I ended the day yesterday near Cottonwood Creek, and continued today up the alluvium and into the Tehachapi Mountains. I passed through a wind farm (pictured), which brought new meaning to the windy night last night. The trail climbs through dusty chaparral about 2800 feet, before leveling off in burned out forest. Everywhere you look the hills are gashed by dirt bike trails. These bikers ride cross country, tearing up the hills and creating massive runoff channels. They also frequently erode the trail, and create unmarked alternate trails. I had to carry my map in my pocket so I could study two identical looking trails - one the PCT, and the other deceptively leading you nowhere.
Heading down through the burned hillside I became aware of movement ahead. Against the burnt sienna dust (thanks crayola) and framed by charred trees, was a large and beautiful coyote. We looked at one-another for a moment before he trotted off. It must have been the day for wildlife because later, as I descended below the fire line, I found a horse standing in the middle of the trail. There was a small herd which, according to my guidebook, is wild in this area. I snapped a quick picture and left them to their lunch.
Around this time I ran into "Wolfie" and we hiked together for a short distance. He is from Mt. Shasta, and grew up with Pockets apparently. Small world. He headed on to Tehachapi for a resupply while I stopped at a stream crossing to clean up and cook dinner.
After dinner I had one last climb of 600 feet to round out the day. The trail passed another wind farm (pictured), which was neat to see up close, going full tilt, with the late afternoon sun casting long shadows. I must say that, spending so much time alone in the wilderness, I've gained a whole new appreciation for the landscapes of civilization. I have sat on hillsides and watched town lights blink on until the valley below is like a reflection of the stars. I've marvelled at huge engineering feats like the pipelines that run mile upon mile. We live so close to it that it takes time in the wilderness to be able to view it from the outside and appreciate the beauty. The same is true with wind turbines. These guys started in Tehachapi pass in the 80s, and have gone through numerous advances to become the behemoths we see today. The biggest are 300 feet high, not including the blades, which are something like 50 feet long. Installed, they cost anywhere from 1 to 3 million dollars. For anyone who has never seen one up close, it is worth a trip.
Past the wind farm I reached highway 58, Tehachapi Pass. I am camped on the south side of the highway, just far enough not to hear too much noise. Tomorrow I cross to the north and finally find myself in the Sierra Nevada!
