Wiping Off the Rust and Preparing for the Snow

Yesterday was the 7th day since we finished to Kennedy Meadows and started our break to wait for better weather and safer hiking conditions in the Sierra. And in those days we hiked a grand total of zero miles. We did a short hike yesterday in a local canyon to see if the legs still work. No Name Canyon had a weekly eBird gap and makes for a moderate 6 mile round trip in desert riparian habitat. It was pleasant and we turned up 32 species of birds including three Long-eared Owls, two Phainopepla, and a Scott's Oriole carrying food for an assumed nest. 

Hiking in No Name Canyon, the PCT is at the top of the ridge just a short distance away

We start into the Sierra tomorrow, Sunday May 29. There are multiple reports of relatively safe conditions over Forester Pass, the highest point on the PCT at 13,200 feet elevation and only 75 or so miles north of our starting point in Kennedy Meadows. As we ascend to Forester and beyond we must be prepared for snow, ice and high water river crossings. There are 9 major passes above 11,000 feet elevation we will cross before we get to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite at mile 943.  We start in Kennedy Meadows at Mile 705.  That's a lot of snow covered miles. It will be SLOW.  And for the most part it will be without cell phone signal. It is likely after we leave tomorrow that this blog will sit silent until we get to Vermilion Valley Resort (Lake Edison) for resupply in about two weeks. I may be able to post a short message to my Facebook page occasionally from the Delorme InReach. And remember you can follow the blue dots on our real-time map page, updated every two to four hours:

https://share.delorme.com/bobsteelephoto

As long at the dots keep advancing, we're making progress!  Either that or a bear ate me and made off with my satcom...  :-)

We'll be adding some gear for the next few hundred miles. First is the mandatory bear canister for food storage in Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks. 

Bearikade Expedition

For footwear we'll be using slip-on traction devices over our trail runners.

Trail Crampons

For secure ascent and self-arrest in case of a fall on an icy slope we will have a combination hiking pole and ice axe called the Whippet.

Whippet Ski Pole

We are bringing a few pieces of warmer clothes as well. And our first two food supplies are a week long each.  That's 20 lbs of food per week for the both of us!  Ouch!  It's a good thing that the long water hauls are over, because all the rest of this crap will be heavy!

I spent a day earlier this week finishing the rest of the resupply boxes. Out of the freezer came our home-made dinners for the rest of the trail. Each box got the appropriate number of dinners sealed inside a vacuum bag. All the boxes are stacked and numbered, ready for Trail Mom Terri to send them when it is time.

 

We have a few hand deliveries we are looking forward to. Terri will meet us at Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite in mid-June. The post office there is likely to still be in winter closure so this will ensure we get food. Friends Ron and Nancy (who took us to the start of the trail in April) will be meeting us in late June at Sonora Pass to simplify that one greatly. And finally, the most epic resupply of all will happen next weekend after we clear Forester Pass. Our friend Chris is hiking 20 pounds of food over Kearsarge Pass out of Onion Valley to meet us on the trail. That is so cool and saves us two days of off-trail resupply. Thanks to all for the help, we really appreciate you all!!

Okay, so wish us luck in the snow and follow the little blue dots on the map. I promise I will continue to write and take photos, it will just be a while before I can share!

So. Cal. Birding Summary, an Awesome Trail Mom, and Quiz Update

Desert Purple Mat

eBird Summary

While we sit here waiting for snow to melt in the Sierra (right now it is snowing MORE!), here are some data from the first 700 miles of eBird surveying the Pacific Crest Trail.

Total number of species: 157
Total number of checklists: 167

Top 10 species by total individuals: 

1. Bewick's Wren - 353
2. Spotted Towhee - 322
3. Western Scrub-Jay - 271
4. Common Raven - 262
5. Wrentit - 240
6. California Towhee - 223
7. Mountain Quail - 215
8. House Finch - 214
9. Mountain Chickadee - 205
10. Lazuli Bunting - 185

I find some of these to be quite surprising, and would have never guessed numbers so high for some of these species before we started.  Over 50% of our miles were in California chaparral and woodlands which accounts for most of the top 10.  Number 12 on the list was Black-chinned Sparrow, ubiquitous in chaparral that had been burned, and there was plenty. Lazuli Bunting was far more common than I expected in dry chaparral, especially recently burned habitat. And Mountain Quail - who would have thought we would hear the distinctive "quark" call nearly every day of the trip?! It's not easy getting data summaries out of eBird, but I will copy and past the raw data at the end of this post for the hard core birders.

The most awesome Trail Mom

I've written before about our friend Terri, our Trail Mom for the summer. Besides taking care of her brother Jeff (trail name Bucky) also on the PCT this summer, she is keeping us clothed and fed and driving us here and there. How can we thank you enough?

Trail Mom Terri and the piles of resupply boxes still to be mailed

 

Quiz Upate

How about one more quiz update prior to starting the Sierra.

1 - How many bird species will we see on the trip? 157 and counting. 
2 -  How many days in California will we NOT see a Raven? Two! April 18 and May 18. How does that work?
3 -  How many eBird Lists will Susan do on the trail? 167 to date
4 -  How many new California County birds will Susan get? 40 - 17 in SD, 17 in Riverside, 1 in San Bernardino, 4 in LA, 0 in Kern, and 1 in Tulare.
5 -  How many feet blisters will we get combined? Still only one! 
6 -  How many steps will Bob record on his iPhone (includes all trail and camp/town steps)? 1,726,393.
7 -  What day (almost certainly in September) will we finish? TBD
8 -  How many days will we get rained/snowed on?  Still three, but here come the Sierra...
9 -  How many times will Susan eat ice cream? SIX so far, but the opportunities lately have been poor.
10- How many toenails will Susan lose? None yet but one is VERY black and still held in place daily with duct tape. It's only a matter of time...

eBird data Summary

Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Lake Morena County Park
Date: Apr 5, 2016, 1:39 PM
(2): PCT 0-2.5
Date: Apr 5, 2016, 2:44 PM
(3): PCT 2.5-6
Date: Apr 6, 2016, 6:45 AM
(4): PCT 6-9
Date: Apr 6, 2016, 8:29 AM
(5): PCT 9-11
Date: Apr 6, 2016, 9:41 AM
(6): PCT 11.5-18
Date: Apr 6, 2016, 10:54 AM
(7): PCT 18-20.5
Date: Apr 6, 2016, 2:19 PM
(8): Lake Morena County Park
Date: Apr 7, 2016, 6:17 AM
(9): Lake Morena County Park
Date: Apr 6, 2016, 8:43 PM
(10): PCT 21.5-23.5
Date: Apr 7, 2016, 7:10 AM
(11): PCT 23.5-27.5
Date: Apr 7, 2016, 8:19 AM
(12): Pacific Crest Trail--west of Kitchen Creek Rd.
Date: Apr 7, 2016, 10:34 AM
(13): Pacific Crest Trail--east of Kitchen Creek Rd.
Date: Apr 7, 2016, 11:39 AM
(14): PCT 29.5-33.5
Date: Apr 7, 2016, 12:47 PM
(15): PCT33.5-38.5
Date: Apr 7, 2016, 1:57 PM
(16): PCT 38.5-41.5
Date: Apr 7, 2016, 4:36 PM
(17): Laguna Mtns.--Visitor Center
Date: Apr 8, 2016, 7:20 AM
(18): PCT 44-49
Date: Apr 8, 2016, 8:40 AM
(19): PCT 49-54
Date: Apr 8, 2016, 11:12 AM
(20): PCT 54-59
Date: Apr 8, 2016, 1:53 PM
(21): PCT 59-61
Date: Apr 8, 2016, 6:21 PM
(22): PCT 61.5-66.5
Date: Apr 9, 2016, 6:30 AM
(23): PCT 66.5-69
Date: Apr 9, 2016, 9:49 AM
(24): PCT 69-74.5
Date: Apr 9, 2016, 11:24 AM
(25): Anza-Borrego Desert SP--Sentenac Cienega
Date: Apr 9, 2016, 2:17 PM
(26): PCT 77-82
Date: Apr 9, 2016, 4:26 PM
(27): PCT 81-86
Date: Apr 10, 2016, 6:46 AM
(28): PCT 86-91
Date: Apr 10, 2016, 9:42 AM
(29): PCT 91-96
Date: Apr 10, 2016, 12:10 PM
(30): PCT 96-101
Date: Apr 10, 2016, 3:28 PM
(31): Barrel Springs
Date: Apr 10, 2016, 6:23 PM
(32): Barrel Springs
Date: Apr 10, 2016, 10:11 PM
(33): PCT 102-107
Date: Apr 11, 2016, 7:56 AM
(34): PCT 107-109
Date: Apr 11, 2016, 10:01 AM
(35): US-CA-Warner Springs-31930 Highway 79
Date: Apr 11, 2016, 1:13 PM
(36): PCT 110-115
Date: Apr 12, 2016, 7:49 AM
(37): PCT 115-120
Date: Apr 12, 2016, 10:25 AM
(38): PCT 120-123
Date: Apr 12, 2016, 12:47 PM
(39): PCT 123-127
Date: Apr 12, 2016, 2:31 PM
(40): PCT 127-129
Date: Apr 13, 2016, 7:26 AM
(41): PCT 127-132
Date: Apr 13, 2016, 8:15 AM
(42): PCT 133-138
Date: Apr 13, 2016, 9:51 AM
(43): PCT 138-143
Date: Apr 13, 2016, 12:56 PM
(44): PCT 143-147
Date: Apr 13, 2016, 3:17 PM
(45): PCT 147-149
Date: Apr 13, 2016, 6:15 PM
(46): PCT 149-154
Date: Apr 14, 2016, 6:59 AM
(47): PCT 154-159
Date: Apr 14, 2016, 9:40 AM
(48): PCT 159-163
Date: Apr 14, 2016, 11:57 AM
(49): US-CA-Riv-East Canyon
Date: Apr 14, 2016, 4:43 PM
(50): PCT 163-169
Date: Apr 15, 2016, 7:51 AM
(51): Garner Valley
Date: Apr 15, 2016, 9:42 AM
(52): US-CA-Idyllwild-Mount San Jacinto State Park
Date: Apr 15, 2016, 12:11 PM
(53): San Bernardino NF--Devil's Slide Trail
Date: Apr 16, 2016, 8:12 AM
(54): PCT 179.5-184.5
Date: Apr 16, 2016, 9:39 AM
(55): PCT 184.5-189.5
Date: Apr 16, 2016, 12:59 PM
(56): PCT 189.5-193
Date: Apr 16, 2016, 4:49 PM
(57): PCT 193-198
Date: Apr 17, 2016, 7:13 AM
(58): PCT 198-205
Date: Apr 17, 2016, 9:53 AM
(59): PCT 205-210
Date: Apr 17, 2016, 1:31 PM
(60): Onyx Summit
Date: Apr 17, 2016, 6:23 PM
(61): PCT 252-259.5
Date: Apr 18, 2016, 6:32 AM
(62): Erwin Lake
Date: Apr 18, 2016, 10:35 AM
(63): PCT 259.5-264.5
Date: Apr 19, 2016, 6:51 AM
(64): PCT 264.5-269.5
Date: Apr 19, 2016, 9:12 AM
(65): PCT 269.5-274.5
Date: Apr 19, 2016, 11:40 AM
(66): PCT 275.5-279
Date: Apr 19, 2016, 2:00 PM
(67): PCT 279
Date: Apr 20, 2016, 2:41 AM
(68): PCT 279-284
Date: Apr 20, 2016, 6:42 AM
(69): PCT 284-288
Date: Apr 20, 2016, 9:13 AM
(70): PCT 288-293
Date: Apr 20, 2016, 11:50 AM
(71): PCT 293-298
Date: Apr 20, 2016, 2:00 PM
(72): PCT 298-303
Date: Apr 21, 2016, 6:08 AM
(73): PCT 303-308
Date: Apr 21, 2016, 9:06 AM
(74): PCT 308-313
Date: Apr 21, 2016, 11:40 AM
(75): PCT 313-318
Date: Apr 21, 2016, 1:41 PM
(76): PCT 318-320.5
Date: Apr 21, 2016, 4:37 PM
(77): PCT 320.5-325
Date: Apr 22, 2016, 5:59 AM
(78): PCT 325-329
Date: Apr 22, 2016, 8:24 AM
(79): PCT 329-332.5
Date: Apr 22, 2016, 10:25 AM
(80): PCT 332.5-337.5
Date: Apr 22, 2016, 11:49 AM
(81): PCT 337.5-342
Date: Apr 22, 2016, 1:58 PM
(82): US-CA-San Berdo Phelan
Date: Apr 22, 2016, 7:43 PM
(83): US-CA-San Berdo Phelan
Date: Apr 23, 2016, 10:35 AM
(84): PCT 342-346
Date: Apr 24, 2016, 6:42 AM
(85): PCT 346-353
Date: Apr 24, 2016, 8:23 AM
(86): PCT 352-356
Date: Apr 24, 2016, 11:16 AM
(87): PCT 356-361
Date: Apr 24, 2016, 1:31 PM
(88): PCT 361-364
Date: Apr 24, 2016, 4:15 PM
(89): PCT 364.5-369
Date: Apr 25, 2016, 6:02 AM
(90): PCT 369-374
Date: Apr 25, 2016, 11:22 AM
(91): PCT 374-379
Date: Apr 26, 2016, 6:49 AM
(92): PCT 379-384
Date: Apr 26, 2016, 12:01 PM
(93): PCT 384-386
Date: Apr 26, 2016, 3:12 PM
(94): PCT 386-390
Date: Apr 27, 2016, 4:47 AM
(95): PCT Yellow legged frog Hiway 2 road walk
Date: Apr 27, 2016, 9:35 AM
(96): Buckhorn Campground
Date: Apr 27, 2016, 10:44 AM
(97): PCT 394-398
Date: Apr 27, 2016, 11:40 AM
(98): PCT 398-403
Date: Apr 27, 2016, 2:00 PM
(99): PCT 403-406
Date: Apr 27, 2016, 4:36 PM
(100): PCT 406
Date: Apr 27, 2016, 9:33 PM
(101): PCT 406-412
Date: Apr 28, 2016, 5:32 AM
(102): PCT 412-418
Date: Apr 28, 2016, 9:28 AM
(103): PCT 418-423
Date: Apr 28, 2016, 12:41 PM
(104): PCT 423-428
Date: Apr 28, 2016, 2:56 PM
(105): PCT 428-430
Date: Apr 28, 2016, 5:28 PM
(106): PCT 430-436
Date: Apr 29, 2016, 6:31 AM
(107): PCT 436-441
Date: Apr 29, 2016, 10:19 AM
(108): PCT 441-444
Date: Apr 29, 2016, 12:23 PM
(109): US-CA-LA-Acton KOA
Date: Apr 29, 2016, 2:49 PM
(110): PCT 445-450
Date: Apr 30, 2016, 6:32 AM
(111): PCT 450-455
Date: Apr 30, 2016, 8:57 AM
(112): US-CA-Santa Clarita-11861 Darling Rd
Date: Apr 30, 2016, 11:12 AM
(113): PCT 457-463
Date: May 1, 2016, 7:02 AM
(114): PCT 463-468
Date: May 1, 2016, 9:37 AM
(115): PCT 468-473
Date: May 1, 2016, 12:52 PM
(116): PCT 473-478
Date: May 1, 2016, 2:59 PM
(117): 34.6350x-118.3896 - May 2, 2016, 7:24 AM
Date: May 2, 2016, 7:24 AM
(118): Elizabeth Lake
Date: May 2, 2016, 8:09 AM
(119): Lake Hughs
Date: May 2, 2016, 9:13 AM
(120): US-CA-LA-Shade Canyon trail
Date: May 2, 2016, 10:03 AM
(121): PCT 493.5-498.5
Date: May 2, 2016, 11:23 AM
(122): PCT 498.5-503.5
Date: May 2, 2016, 1:31 PM
(123): PCT 503.5-508.5
Date: May 2, 2016, 4:26 PM
(124): PCT 508.5-513.5
Date: May 3, 2016, 6:01 AM
(125): PCT 513.5-518
Date: May 3, 2016, 9:06 AM
(126): PCT 518-522
Date: May 3, 2016, 11:17 AM
(127): PCT 522-527
Date: May 3, 2016, 2:01 PM
(128): PCT 527-530
Date: May 3, 2016, 3:55 PM
(129): PCT 530-536
Date: May 4, 2016, 6:17 AM
(130): PCT 535-540
Date: May 4, 2016, 8:37 AM
(131): PCT 540-545
Date: May 4, 2016, 10:53 AM
(132): PCT 545-550
Date: May 4, 2016, 1:34 PM
(133): PCT 550-553
Date: May 4, 2016, 4:52 PM
(134): PCT 553-560
Date: May 5, 2016, 5:58 AM
(135): PCT 560-565
Date: May 5, 2016, 9:57 AM
(136): PCT 566-571
Date: May 9, 2016, 7:59 AM
(137): PCT 571-576
Date: May 9, 2016, 10:05 AM
(138): PCT 576-581
Date: May 9, 2016, 1:08 PM
(139): PCT 581-583
Date: May 9, 2016, 3:55 PM
(140): PCT 583-588
Date: May 10, 2016, 7:01 AM
(141): PCT 588-593
Date: May 10, 2016, 9:40 AM
(142): PCT 593-598
Date: May 10, 2016, 12:15 PM
(143): PCT 598-602
Date: May 10, 2016, 2:58 PM
(144): PCT 602-607
Date: May 11, 2016, 6:27 AM
(145): PCT 607-612
Date: May 11, 2016, 9:39 AM
(146): PCT 612-616
Date: May 11, 2016, 12:02 PM
(147): PCT 616-620
Date: May 11, 2016, 1:58 PM
(148): PCT 620-625
Date: May 12, 2016, 5:53 AM
(149): PCT 625-630
Date: May 12, 2016, 8:56 AM
(150): PCT 630-635
Date: May 12, 2016, 12:29 PM
(151): PCT 635-638
Date: May 12, 2016, 3:03 PM
(152): PCT 638-641
Date: May 13, 2016, 6:39 AM
(153): PCT 641-646
Date: May 13, 2016, 8:16 AM
(154): PCT 646-652
Date: May 13, 2016, 9:52 AM
(155): Freeman Canyon (above IWV)
Date: May 17, 2016, 7:16 AM
(156): US-CA-Kern-PCT west side
Date: May 17, 2016, 8:14 AM
(157): Indian Wells Canyon
Date: May 17, 2016, 9:52 AM
(158): PCT 661-666
Date: May 17, 2016, 11:56 AM
(159): PCT 666-669
Date: May 17, 2016, 2:14 PM
(160): PCT 669-674.5
Date: May 18, 2016, 5:44 AM
(161): PCT 674.5-679.5
Date: May 18, 2016, 9:30 AM
(162): PCT 679.5-681
Date: May 18, 2016, 11:50 AM
(163): PCT 681-686
Date: May 18, 2016, 12:27 PM
(164): PCT 686-689
Date: May 18, 2016, 3:57 PM
(165): PCT 698-694
Date: May 19, 2016, 6:26 AM
(166): PCT 694-698
Date: May 19, 2016, 8:25 AM
(167): PCT 698-704
Date: May 19, 2016, 10:51 AM

1 American Wigeon -- (126)
39 Mallard -- (1),(3),(71),(72),(73),(74),(77),(78),(112),(118),(126)
2 Northern Shoveler -- (1)
16 Ruddy Duck -- (78),(118)
211 Mountain Quail -- (5),(6),(11),(13),(14),(22),(29),(37),(39),(40),(42),(46),(50),(56),(57),(63),(68),(69),(71),(72),(73),(74),(75),(76),(77),(78),(79),(80),(84),(85),(86),(91),(93),(94),(98),(99),(101),(102),(103),(104),(105),(106),(114),(115),(116),(121),(122),(123),(124),(131),(133),(137),(139),(140),(141),(142),(143),(144),(145),(146),(147),(148),(149),(150),(152),(154),(156),(158),(159),(160),(161),(163),(164),(165),(166)
91 California Quail -- (1),(3),(6),(11),(21),(22),(25),(26),(33),(36),(43),(44),(76),(77),(78),(80),(84),(85),(113),(118),(124),(126),(127),(129),(131),(132),(133),(134),(140),(142),(145),(147),(162),(163),(164),(165)
20 Chukar -- (148),(149),(150),(157),(165)
3 Wild Turkey -- (8),(31)
2 Pied-billed Grebe -- (118)
27 Eared Grebe -- (1),(78)
1 Western Grebe -- (78)
5 Double-crested Cormorant -- (1)
1 Great Blue Heron -- (1)
1 Great Egret -- (8)
69 Turkey Vulture -- (1),(2),(3),(4),(6),(25),(26),(27),(29),(33),(36),(38),(48),(69),(71),(74),(75),(77),(79),(80),(86),(95),(127),(133)
1 Osprey -- (60)
1 Golden Eagle -- (166)
6 Sharp-shinned Hawk -- (10),(28),(63),(65),(104)
2 Cooper's Hawk -- (103),(118)
1 Red-shouldered Hawk -- (33)
3 Red-shouldered Hawk (elegans) -- (8),(11),(36)
16 Swainson's Hawk -- (26),(27),(28),(137)
33 Red-tailed Hawk -- (2),(6),(26),(27),(28),(44),(46),(52),(77),(80),(83),(85),(86),(92),(103),(112),(119),(124),(125),(126),(129),(131),(133),(135),(143),(147),(151)
7 American Coot -- (73),(77),(78),(118)
1 Killdeer -- (167)
1 California Gull -- (46)
6 Caspian Tern -- (78)
12 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) -- (35),(126),(127)
44 Band-tailed Pigeon -- (16),(18),(52),(61),(68),(90),(91),(93),(94),(99),(106),(124),(159),(160)
22 Eurasian Collared-Dove -- (1),(2),(31),(59),(83),(109),(118),(119),(126),(127)
2 White-winged Dove -- (25)
179 Mourning Dove -- (2),(3),(4),(7),(11),(18),(22),(27),(31),(33),(38),(43),(46),(61),(64),(69),(73),(74),(75),(77),(78),(84),(99),(106),(107),(108),(110),(111),(112),(113),(114),(116),(118),(120),(121),(124),(125),(127),(128),(129),(131),(134),(136),(139),(140),(142),(143),(144),(146),(147),(148),(150),(151),(152),(153),(154),(155),(156),(158),(159),(160),(161),(163),(164),(165),(166)
1 Greater Roadrunner -- (63)
8 Western Screech-Owl -- (9),(32),(63),(100),(151)
11 Great Horned Owl -- (32),(67),(94),(111),(113),(123),(128),(129),(147)
1 Northern Pygmy-Owl -- (143)
1 Long-eared Owl -- (151)
5 Lesser Nighthawk -- (128),(129)
16 Common Poorwill -- (9),(39),(45),(49),(71),(76),(105),(163)
46 Vaux's Swift -- (84),(86),(90)
37 White-throated Swift -- (7),(39),(58),(78),(83),(84),(86),(93),(102),(111),(112),(132),(134),(136),(137),(148),(150),(160)
3 Black-chinned Hummingbird -- (42),(59),(119)
40 Anna's Hummingbird -- (1),(6),(11),(33),(40),(42),(43),(47),(48),(49),(50),(52),(57),(71),(73),(74),(83),(84),(85),(103),(107),(111),(112),(118),(123),(124),(137),(140)
15 Costa's Hummingbird -- (11),(27),(39),(43),(63),(85),(112),(113),(127),(128),(129),(140),(166)
2 Rufous Hummingbird -- (11),(110)
2 Calliope Hummingbird -- (75),(94)
64 Acorn Woodpecker -- (1),(8),(11),(15),(16),(17),(18),(31),(34),(36),(50),(52),(70),(71),(89),(90),(93),(98),(99),(101),(106),(119),(120),(121),(124),(142),(143),(144),(145)
4 Williamson's Sapsucker -- (68),(92)
7 Red-breasted Sapsucker -- (54),(61),(66),(68)
3 Ladder-backed Woodpecker -- (26),(147)
28 Nuttall's Woodpecker -- (1),(8),(11),(18),(19),(31),(34),(36),(43),(50),(71),(72),(73),(74),(75),(77),(85),(101),(102),(109),(110),(111),(114),(116),(119),(120)
50 Hairy Woodpecker -- (18),(54),(69),(70),(72),(87),(96),(97),(104),(105),(123),(133),(139),(141),(142),(143),(146),(151),(156),(157),(158),(159),(160),(161),(163),(166)
25 White-headed Woodpecker -- (52),(53),(54),(55),(69),(94),(95),(96),(97),(98),(99),(145)
70 Northern Flicker -- (5),(11),(15),(18),(27),(31),(36),(46),(51),(52),(53),(54),(56),(61),(62),(63),(64),(65),(68),(69),(70),(72),(73),(80),(87),(90),(91),(92),(93),(96),(98),(101),(102),(104),(105),(106),(110),(118),(123),(124),(134),(154),(157),(165)
16 American Kestrel -- (2),(26),(36),(39),(69),(70),(106),(118),(134),(145),(157)
1 Merlin -- (33)
1 Prairie Falcon -- (132)
6 Olive-sided Flycatcher -- (68),(98),(104),(120),(142),(154)
64 Western Wood-Pewee -- (72),(83),(84),(87),(94),(106),(120),(123),(132),(133),(141),(142),(143),(144),(145),(146),(148),(153),(154),(159),(160),(162),(163),(166),(167)
15 Gray Flycatcher -- (61),(63),(138),(144),(148),(151),(152),(154),(155),(161),(163),(165),(166)
22 Dusky Flycatcher -- (71),(123),(139),(142),(144),(145),(146),(149),(150),(151),(152),(155),(157),(160)
7 Pacific-slope Flycatcher -- (4),(63),(78),(97),(136),(151)
8 Black Phoebe -- (8),(11),(23),(69),(72),(73),(78)
3 Say's Phoebe -- (35),(62),(129)
119 Ash-throated Flycatcher -- (4),(11),(26),(27),(28),(31),(33),(34),(36),(37),(39),(40),(41),(42),(43),(44),(50),(64),(65),(66),(71),(72),(73),(74),(78),(80),(84),(86),(101),(102),(103),(106),(107),(110),(111),(114),(120),(121),(123),(124),(125),(128),(129),(130),(134),(137),(140),(146),(147),(148),(154),(157),(161),(162),(165),(166)
18 Western Kingbird -- (1),(8),(36),(74),(118),(126),(127),(129),(141),(165),(166)
18 Loggerhead Shrike -- (126),(127),(132),(147),(148),(149),(150),(155)
4 Gray Vireo -- (13),(15)
5 Plumbeous Vireo -- (65),(160),(163)
11 Cassin's Vireo -- (33),(68),(69),(94),(106),(120),(140),(146),(150),(154),(160)
3 Hutton's Vireo -- (34),(79),(120)
5 Warbling Vireo -- (1),(31),(121),(141),(142)
113 Pinyon Jay -- (51),(62),(63),(65),(147),(148),(149),(150),(152),(154),(155),(156),(157),(158),(164),(166),(167)
121 Steller's Jay -- (16),(17),(18),(49),(50),(52),(53),(54),(55),(56),(57),(61),(63),(65),(66),(68),(69),(70),(71),(72),(73),(87),(88),(89),(90),(91),(93),(95),(96),(97),(101),(120),(121),(122),(124),(143),(144),(145),(146),(151),(152),(159),(160),(163)
236 Western Scrub-Jay -- (21),(22),(24),(26),(27),(28),(29),(31),(33),(36),(37),(38),(41),(42),(44),(47),(49),(51),(57),(63),(64),(70),(71),(73),(74),(75),(76),(77),(78),(79),(80),(84),(85),(86),(99),(101),(103),(106),(107),(112),(113),(114),(116),(118),(120),(121),(122),(123),(124),(125),(131),(132),(134),(136),(137),(139),(140),(141),(142),(143),(145),(147),(148),(149),(150),(151),(153),(154),(155),(156),(157),(158),(159),(160),(161),(162),(163),(165),(166)
30 Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal) -- (1),(2),(3),(4),(6),(7),(10),(11),(14),(15),(18),(40)
11 Clark's Nutcracker -- (61),(65),(66),(87),(89),(91),(92),(164),(167)
26 American Crow -- (1),(8),(10),(31),(34),(35),(36),(52),(83),(109),(110),(118),(119)
266 Common Raven -- (2),(4),(5),(10),(17),(19),(21),(22),(26),(27),(29),(33),(34),(36),(40),(42),(43),(45),(46),(50),(52),(54),(59),(64),(69),(70),(71),(72),(73),(74),(75),(77),(78),(79),(80),(81),(82),(84),(85),(86),(87),(89),(90),(92),(93),(94),(96),(98),(99),(102),(103),(104),(106),(107),(108),(110),(111),(112),(113),(114),(116),(117),(121),(124),(125),(126),(127),(128),(129),(130),(131),(134),(135),(136),(137),(138),(140),(141),(142),(146),(147),(148),(149),(151),(153),(154),(155),(157),(159),(166),(167)
59 Horned Lark -- (22),(33),(36),(126),(127),(128),(130),(131),(134),(135),(137)
10 Northern Rough-winged Swallow -- (11),(43),(75),(78)
14 Purple Martin -- (23),(86)
5 Tree Swallow -- (118)
100 Violet-green Swallow -- (53),(54),(57),(61),(62),(63),(65),(66),(68),(69),(95),(96),(106),(111),(143)
2 Bank Swallow -- (42)
8 Barn Swallow -- (22),(132)
93 Cliff Swallow -- (22),(23),(62),(75),(77),(78),(82),(83),(84)
1 Cliff Swallow (pyrrhonota/ganieri) -- (62)
205 Mountain Chickadee -- (15),(17),(18),(47),(49),(50),(52),(53),(54),(55),(56),(57),(60),(61),(62),(63),(64),(65),(66),(68),(69),(70),(71),(86),(87),(89),(90),(91),(92),(93),(94),(95),(96),(97),(98),(99),(101),(102),(105),(106),(120),(121),(122),(124),(144),(151)
97 Oak Titmouse -- (1),(3),(6),(8),(10),(11),(14),(17),(18),(19),(31),(34),(36),(40),(46),(47),(50),(52),(70),(73),(74),(77),(78),(80),(86),(101),(103),(106),(109),(114),(120),(122),(123),(124),(131),(137),(139),(142),(144),(146),(154),(158),(159),(160),(161),(163)
124 Bushtit -- (2),(3),(5),(6),(7),(11),(12),(15),(22),(29),(33),(34),(36),(38),(40),(42),(44),(47),(48),(49),(50),(64),(71),(72),(73),(74),(75),(78),(80),(84),(103),(104),(106),(114),(116),(124),(139),(142),(146),(156),(159),(160)
7 Red-breasted Nuthatch -- (68),(90),(91),(140),(152)
55 White-breasted Nuthatch -- (1),(8),(15),(16),(17),(18),(19),(34),(36),(49),(50),(53),(54),(57),(61),(68),(69),(70),(71),(90),(91),(92),(93),(94),(96),(97),(101),(103),(105),(106),(123),(144),(160)
10 White-breasted Nuthatch (Pacific) -- (65),(87),(88),(142),(145),(146),(163)
110 Pygmy Nuthatch -- (16),(52),(54),(61),(62),(65),(66),(68),(69),(87),(88),(89),(92),(93),(94),(95),(97),(98),(101),(142),(145)
11 Brown Creeper -- (17),(54),(55),(61),(65),(88),(91),(96),(142)
164 Rock Wren -- (3),(6),(22),(24),(26),(27),(28),(33),(34),(39),(44),(57),(63),(64),(68),(69),(74),(75),(84),(102),(106),(110),(111),(113),(131),(132),(137),(140),(141),(145),(147),(148),(151),(153),(155),(156),(157),(160),(161),(163),(164),(165),(166),(167)
24 Canyon Wren -- (3),(4),(10),(14),(37),(39),(55),(57),(71),(72),(73),(74),(81),(86),(101),(145),(158),(167)
104 House Wren -- (1),(3),(6),(8),(10),(11),(15),(17),(18),(33),(34),(35),(36),(37),(39),(41),(43),(49),(57),(69),(70),(71),(72),(75),(76),(78),(83),(86),(102),(104),(106),(114),(118),(119),(120),(123),(124),(142),(143)
351 Bewick's Wren -- (3),(4),(5),(6),(10),(11),(12),(14),(15),(16),(18),(22),(26),(27),(29),(33),(34),(36),(37),(38),(39),(40),(41),(42),(43),(44),(45),(46),(47),(48),(49),(57),(61),(63),(64),(65),(68),(69),(70),(71),(72),(73),(75),(76),(77),(79),(80),(81),(83),(84),(85),(86),(87),(90),(98),(99),(101),(102),(103),(104),(105),(106),(107),(110),(111),(113),(115),(116),(117),(122),(124),(128),(129),(134),(137),(138),(140),(142),(145),(146),(148),(150),(151),(154),(156),(157),(158),(159),(160),(161),(162),(165),(166)
10 Cactus Wren -- (26),(59),(127),(128),(129),(130),(136),(148),(155)
41 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher -- (5),(6),(15),(29),(37),(40),(42),(44),(50),(57),(84),(85),(111),(113),(115),(121),(142),(146),(147),(159),(161),(165)
2 Golden-crowned Kinglet -- (88),(91)
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet -- (24),(40),(64),(140)
241 Wrentit -- (2),(3),(4),(5),(6),(7),(8),(10),(11),(12),(13),(14),(15),(16),(18),(19),(20),(22),(23),(29),(30),(31),(33),(34),(36),(37),(38),(40),(41),(42),(43),(45),(46),(47),(48),(49),(50),(70),(71),(72),(73),(75),(76),(77),(78),(79),(80),(81),(84),(85),(86),(87),(99),(101),(103),(104),(105),(106),(107),(108),(111),(113),(114),(115),(116),(117),(122),(123),(124),(137),(142),(143),(153)
170 Western Bluebird -- (1),(8),(11),(17),(18),(35),(36),(39),(40),(46),(50),(51),(52),(54),(60),(61),(62),(63),(64),(65),(66),(68),(69),(72),(83),(87),(89),(90),(92),(94),(95),(96),(97),(99),(101),(102),(105),(109),(118),(119),(120),(123),(132),(133),(134),(140),(141),(142),(143),(145),(152),(165)
3 Mountain Bluebird -- (164),(167)
5 Townsend's Solitaire -- (60),(68),(91),(93),(144)
3 Hermit Thrush -- (11),(12),(14)
31 American Robin -- (1),(8),(11),(15),(17),(22),(35),(52),(90),(93),(96),(97),(109),(143),(145),(167)
144 California Thrasher -- (2),(3),(5),(6),(8),(10),(11),(12),(13),(14),(15),(18),(20),(21),(22),(23),(28),(29),(30),(33),(36),(37),(38),(40),(41),(44),(45),(46),(50),(73),(75),(76),(77),(78),(80),(84),(85),(86),(107),(110),(111),(113),(114),(115),(116),(117),(123),(124),(125),(137),(140),(143),(153),(158),(160),(161)
18 Northern Mockingbird -- (3),(24),(28),(111),(125),(127),(129),(135),(136),(147),(148),(149),(165)
33 European Starling -- (1),(11),(31),(35),(36),(51),(82),(83),(118),(119),(125),(126)
30 American Pipit -- (33)
26 Cedar Waxwing -- (84),(109),(124),(140)
16 Phainopepla -- (23),(43),(47),(58),(59),(76),(77),(78),(111),(112),(125),(151)
36 Orange-crowned Warbler -- (3),(4),(5),(10),(11),(12),(14),(15),(22),(24),(28),(33),(39),(41),(42),(77),(85),(87),(110),(125),(140)
24 Nashville Warbler -- (18),(19),(20),(22),(23),(28),(29),(31),(39),(40),(46)
6 MacGillivray's Warbler -- (15),(81),(136),(137),(142),(151)
1 Yellow Warbler -- (167)
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler -- (139)
68 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) -- (1),(2),(8),(18),(22),(25),(31),(33),(35),(40),(42),(44),(46),(49),(53),(54),(57),(60),(68),(69),(72),(79),(90),(91),(92),(93),(94),(95),(96),(97),(98),(104),(106),(121),(137),(140),(143),(147)
56 Black-throated Gray Warbler -- (31),(49),(57),(65),(90),(91),(94),(97),(120),(121),(138),(144),(150),(152),(153),(156),(157),(158),(159),(160),(161)
16 Townsend's Warbler -- (22),(31),(123),(139),(140),(142),(150),(151)
5 Hermit Warbler -- (64),(86),(123),(139)
15 Wilson's Warbler -- (22),(31),(73),(80),(84),(106),(111),(131),(139),(148),(154),(159),(166)
27 Chipping Sparrow -- (19),(54),(61),(63),(86),(101),(106),(115),(121),(145),(153),(161),(163),(166),(167)
174 Black-chinned Sparrow -- (3),(4),(6),(10),(11),(12),(13),(14),(15),(20),(22),(23),(24),(28),(29),(37),(39),(40),(41),(42),(43),(45),(46),(57),(58),(63),(64),(69),(71),(72),(76),(77),(78),(79),(80),(81),(84),(85),(86),(87),(101),(102),(103),(106),(107),(108),(110),(113),(124),(153),(164)
53 Brewer's Sparrow -- (3),(22),(23),(24),(25),(27),(28),(43),(44),(59),(62),(147),(148),(149),(167)
69 Black-throated Sparrow -- (25),(26),(27),(28),(126),(128),(129),(130),(131),(132),(137),(147),(148),(149),(157),(166)
79 Lark Sparrow -- (21),(22),(33),(36),(46),(50),(51),(62),(63),(106),(110),(112),(123),(129),(130),(131),(134),(135),(136),(137),(148),(149),(150),(155),(164)
1 Fox Sparrow -- (21)
13 Fox Sparrow (Thick-billed) -- (54),(55),(68),(89),(94),(95),(96)
7 Dark-eyed Junco -- (51)
134 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) -- (11),(16),(17),(19),(28),(33),(42),(46),(50),(52),(54),(55),(56),(60),(61),(66),(68),(89),(90),(91),(92),(93),(95),(96),(97),(102),(105),(121),(122),(142),(143),(144),(145),(160)
84 White-crowned Sparrow -- (3),(7),(8),(11),(22),(23),(24),(25),(27),(28),(33),(35),(43),(44),(62),(72)
1 White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) -- (1)
1 Bell's Sparrow -- (22)
10 Bell's Sparrow (belli) -- (2),(85),(107),(108),(113)
156 Bell's Sparrow (canescens) -- (126),(128),(146),(147),(148),(149),(150),(153),(159),(162),(165),(166)
8 Savannah Sparrow -- (33)
17 Song Sparrow -- (11),(42),(69),(71),(72),(75),(77),(79),(109),(110),(118),(167)
218 California Towhee -- (1),(2),(3),(4),(5),(6),(10),(11),(13),(14),(15),(19),(20),(22),(23),(24),(28),(29),(30),(33),(34),(36),(37),(39),(40),(41),(42),(43),(44),(46),(48),(50),(57),(58),(71),(72),(73),(74),(75),(76),(77),(78),(80),(81),(84),(85),(86),(101),(102),(103),(106),(107),(110),(111),(113),(114),(123),(124),(125),(134),(139),(140),(141),(142),(143),(153),(159),(160)
18 Rufous-crowned Sparrow -- (6),(13),(23),(29),(58),(74),(75),(80),(81),(85),(113)
9 Green-tailed Towhee -- (68),(69),(89),(93),(94),(144),(149)
320 Spotted Towhee -- (2),(3),(4),(5),(6),(7),(8),(10),(11),(12),(13),(14),(15),(16),(17),(18),(19),(20),(21),(22),(23),(24),(29),(30),(33),(34),(36),(37),(38),(39),(40),(41),(42),(45),(46),(47),(48),(49),(50),(57),(58),(61),(63),(64),(65),(68),(69),(71),(72),(73),(74),(75),(76),(77),(78),(79),(80),(81),(84),(85),(86),(87),(93),(94),(95),(99),(101),(102),(106),(108),(110),(111),(113),(114),(115),(116),(120),(121),(122),(123),(124),(125),(132),(133),(137),(138),(139),(140),(141),(142),(143),(144),(147),(149),(152),(153),(154),(155),(158),(159),(160),(161),(163),(164),(165),(166)
3 sparrow sp. -- (11),(14)
35 Western Tanager -- (95),(113),(114),(117),(118),(119),(120),(140),(143),(144),(147),(155),(158),(159),(160),(161),(163)
162 Black-headed Grosbeak -- (1),(4),(5),(15),(17),(25),(29),(31),(33),(38),(42),(45),(46),(49),(50),(61),(69),(72),(73),(76),(77),(78),(80),(84),(85),(86),(94),(95),(97),(101),(107),(109),(114),(115),(117),(118),(119),(120),(121),(123),(124),(134),(139),(140),(142),(143),(144),(148),(149),(152),(153),(158),(160),(161),(162),(163),(164),(165),(166),(167)
185 Lazuli Bunting -- (72),(73),(78),(80),(81),(84),(85),(101),(102),(106),(107),(108),(110),(113),(114),(121),(124),(138),(139),(140),(141),(143),(154),(157),(158),(159),(165),(166)
72 Red-winged Blackbird -- (1),(11),(69),(72),(73),(74),(77),(118),(119),(126),(129),(134),(167)
48 Western Meadowlark -- (8),(11),(21),(22),(33),(34),(36),(51),(124),(127),(130),(134),(135),(147),(148),(149),(155)
39 Brewer's Blackbird -- (35),(62),(64),(69),(77),(83),(109),(118),(127),(136),(167)
1 Great-tailed Grackle -- (118)
24 Brown-headed Cowbird -- (68),(77),(94),(113),(118),(127),(135),(144),(161),(163),(167)
2 Hooded Oriole -- (82),(83)
18 Bullock's Oriole -- (8),(25),(31),(33),(34),(77),(118),(126),(135),(166)
24 Scott's Oriole -- (15),(24),(26),(27),(42),(43),(44),(46),(47),(128),(129),(136),(146),(147),(150),(155),(158),(163)
199 House Finch -- (2),(8),(11),(25),(27),(33),(35),(43),(50),(52),(58),(59),(62),(68),(77),(78),(82),(83),(103),(109),(110),(112),(113),(116),(118),(119),(123),(125),(126),(128),(130),(131),(134),(136),(139),(140),(141),(145),(148),(150),(153),(154),(159),(161),(163),(164),(165),(166),(167)
12 Purple Finch -- (17),(86),(91),(94),(121),(123)
15 Purple Finch (Western) -- (142),(143),(144)
16 Cassin's Finch -- (17),(55),(68),(88),(89),(93),(96),(144)
4 Red Crossbill -- (54),(63)
13 Pine Siskin -- (17),(60)
116 Lesser Goldfinch -- (3),(6),(8),(10),(11),(27),(31),(36),(37),(42),(44),(49),(58),(69),(72),(73),(74),(75),(76),(77),(78),(80),(102),(104),(106),(109),(110),(111),(113),(118),(119),(121),(124),(150),(153),(154),(159),(161),(163),(166),(167)
55 Lawrence's Goldfinch -- (35),(109),(110),(113),(139),(140),(142),(143),(151),(152),(153),(159),(163)
48 House Sparrow -- (35),(82),(83),(109),(125),(126)
365 passerine sp. -- (22),(140),(148)

This trip summary was created using the eBird app for iPhone and iPad.
See eBird for more information.

Southern California Completed

Day 44 - May 19
Mile: 689.2 to 704.7 (Kennedy Meadows Campground)
up/down: 1350/2425 feet

New trip birds today: Golden Eagle and Killdeer

Bird List 1
Bird List 2
Bird List 3

The Pacific Crest Trail is usually divided into 5 sections: Southern California, Sierra Nevada, Northern California, Oregon, Washington. By most references, the So. Cal. section goes to the Kennedy Meadows Store at mile 702.  We finished that today, and included a few more miles to the campground to get them out of the way.  We had another ride home arranged, this time by our PCT thru-hiker friend Brian (trail name - Nuts) who is currently off-trail for a short time nursing an injury. Many thanks to Brian for the ride and company today, we hope he heals up quickly and can get back out there, perhaps with us as we enter the Sierra.

 

Today was cruiser miles as we continued down the ridge in the morning to Rock House Basin and on to Kennedy Meadows. The Manter Fire in 2000 was huge and devastating, and we saw the damage walking through it for part of 2 days. There were still some pockets of original forest for a while as we walked along Rock House Basin, so that was pleasant. At mile 698 we came to a feature that I have been waiting for - the South Fork of the Kern River. I am so tired of 5+ liter water hauls and this river signifies better times to come. There are still some dry sections ahead, especially in southern Oregon, but for the most part we are done with the huge weight of 24 hours, or more, of hauling water.

 

 

 

 

From there we followed the river all the way to the campground, enjoying the introduction to the Sierra, especially when our first Golden Eagle of the trip soared by. There is much snow only 50 or so miles ahead, and we have some thinking to do on when to begin tackling that obstacle.

 

 

Speaking of water hauls, I made a vow at the beginning of the trail that we would never get down to our last liter of water. The risk of running out of water was the greatest we faced since the start. I am happy to report that I made it to Kennedy Meadows Campground today with an unopened 1 liter Smartwater Bottle that I've carried since the border. In celebration I opened it and split it with Susan. 

 Unopened from the border

 Celebrating!

And one more "100" milestone this morning!

 

Spanish Needle Onion

Day 43 - May 18

Mile: 669.5 to 689.2

up/down: 5500/3500

New trip bird: Mountain Bluebird 

New Tulare County bird: Scott's Oriole

You never know what you will learn. We left camp in Spanish Needle Creek canyon and started a big ascent back to the crest at 7000 feet. As we're climbing Susan shows me a new life plant - Spanish Needle Onion. Our friend Alison, keeper of all that is Kern County natural history (http://www.natureali.org/), told Susan to be in the lookout for this highly localized endemic to the mountain we were climbing. And we found some!  It is a rare and beautiful little plant. Read more about it at:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_shevockii

 

Once we finished the climb we traversed along the crest with several looks to the east above Sand Canyon, a favorite hiking destination of ours. The wildflowers all day were some of the best of the trip. Miles and acres of gilia, popcorn flower, coreopsis, phacelia, sand blossom, and many others. 

 

 

 

Then it was down, down, down to Chimney Peak Campground, across the road and up to Fox Mill Spring. When I started this blog over 13 months ago the first story I wrote was from a training hike we did to Fox Mill and beyond to the crest. And here we are a year later doing it for real. 

 

We made the crest and looked down on Rock House Basin in the Domelands Wilderness. We'll be there tomorrow. Even though we will only skirt the edge of Rock House it's an area I've never been and I'm excited to see it close up. 

 

After 10 days walking in Kern County we crossed the Tulare County line this morning. At Fox Mill Spring Susan got a hard to get Tulare bird, a Scott's Oriole. She was pretty fired up about that one!  And as we climbed to the crest in the afternoon we saw our first Mountain Bluebirds of the trip at near 8000 feet elevation in an old burn. It was a good day all around. 

Home Turf

Day 42 - May 17 (Days 39-41 zero miles)

Mile: 651.5 to 669.5

up/down: 4250/4250 feet

We hiked today on trail that we've seen most of many times. The first 8 miles leads to the spur trail up Mt Jenkins, a regular training hike in the last year. Beyond was the summit of Owens Peak at 8500 feet, the highest in the Indian Wells Valley. Susan has summited Owens at least once in every calendar month. Needless to say this is home turf for us. Beyond Owens we descended the west side toward Canebrake Creek only to turn north and climb another ridge. Lamont Peak, another training hike, dominated the north view.

The early weather was wild and dramatic this morning. We hiked out of Walker Pass toward an incoming cell, got blown around a bit and sprinkled on with rain and hail for a while. 

 

 

 

Owens Peak 

Lamont Peak 

Our first possible water source in this section dried up literally last week so we had to push on to the next. We ended the day at Spanish Needle Creek and it's barely flowing water. There are two forks of the creek in this canyon and the usually "reliable" one was bone dry. Thankfully there is a trickle from a spring in the second fork and we have water for tonight and tomorrow. 

We have a new trip insect tonight, one we will be well acquainted with for the next few months - MOSQUITOS! And I haven't put bug spray in our packs yet! It's cool enough tonight to cover up with lots of clothes so the bugs aren't getting much blood from us. 

And we passed the 1/4 distance mark today at mile 662.5!

 

Walker Pass

Day 38 - May 13

Mile 638.5 to 651.5

up/down: 1150/2400 feet

New trip bird: Long-eared Owl (heard at dusk last night).

We are so fortunate with respect to the trail to live where we do. While other hikers, and there are a lot at this point, mill around and try and figure out what to do about Sierra entry, we kick back at home.

It was 13 miles to Walker Pass when we left camp this morning and our trail lead (Susan) must have had a bit of horse and barn action going. We knocked out the easy miles in under 5 hours. Trail Mom Terri was waiting (thank you!!) and whisked us away to the comforts of home. The weather looks dodgy this weekend so we will wait until Monday to do the Walker Pass to Kennedy Meadows 50 miles. The Sierra is waiting after that, with much snow and ice, but at this point we're in no hurry to commit. 

 

 

 

It's Not Home But I Can See It From Here

Day 37 - May 12

Mile: 620 to 638.5

up/down: 3500/2500 feet

We continued on from our camp in the Joshua Trees up to the crest of the ridge and turned north. The trail stayed fairly low, between 5 and 6 thousand feet elevation all the way to Bird Spring Pass. Right on cue there were Dan and Brenda with lots of goodies and water. There were three other hikers with us who all got to share the magic. Thank you Dan and Brenda, you have been more than kind and generous to us this last week. And a special thank you to Alison for all she has done this month. You are a special friend. 

 

 

 

 

Another warm day in the desert and we had a big climb up next. From the pass we switchbacked our way up to 7000 feet elevation in a few short miles. At the top we were cooked so stopped for a nice long break in a wonderful shady spot. From this high perch on the ridge we could see all the familiar sights of home including several of our local mountains like Owens Peak and Mount Jenkins. Far off in the distance the snow covered Mount Langley and Mount Whitney looked ominous. We will be there in a very short time. 

 

 

 

 

We continued along the ridge often seeing west toward the Kern River Valley and also to the east to the Indian Wells Valley and home. We stopped in a spectacular old growth Pinyon Pine forest with many beautiful and huge trees. The wind we had all day has died and the temperature has cooled to about perfect. With 13 miles to our exit point tomorrow, this camp is about as good as it gets. 

 

And, we passed 1000 kilometers today!

 

From Piute to Sierra

Day 36 - May 11

Mile: 602.1 to 620

up/down: 2350/3300 feet 

From our camp at Robin Bird Spring we enjoyed a beautiful walk through stately Jeffery Pines on our way to Lander Meadow in the heart of the Piute Mountains. We have been to this meadow many times by car but this time by foot, so gotta love that. Unfortunately the trail took a wide route around the meadow so we only touched the edge. Turning east we worked our way though a small burn from many years ago toward the edge and drop to Kelso Valley at St. John Pass. 

 

 

 

Dear friend Alison and her friend Don met us at the road with a car full of water and a few delicious snacks. Since there was another road crossing just two miles further we slack packed the distance with our packs in the back of her car. One more fill of all the water bottles including a couple extra liters each for dinner and breakfast, and off we went. It was plenty hot now in a Joshua Tree forest at 5000 feet elevation. After crossing the road at St. John Pass we technically left the Piute Mountains and enter the southernmost end of the Sierra Nevada. While Kennedy Meadows 75 miles ahead signals the entry to the "High Sierra," we are already here. When we got within 11 miles of our noon water meet up at Bird Springs Pass tomorrow we called it a day in the shade of some Joshua Trees. 

 

 

 

Tomorrow friends Dan and Brenda will angel us again with water in a very dry stretch. From there it will be 22 miles to Walker Pass. We'll knock some of that out in the afternoon and finish up on Friday.