Joshua tree spring to chimney creek - 17 miles

Total - 682.0 miles

I actually had a good nights sleep surprisingly. I haven’t had the best time sleeping as I always wake up more than once throughout the night. Which I did but I fell back to sleep quickly. It was also warm last night so that was a nice change. Today tho kinda kicked my ass. We started with a climb out of camp and even though it was small I was huffing and puffing. Then the next little climb had me sweating like no one’s business at 7 am in the morning. So many people are pushing to Kennedy meadows that we are meeting a lot of new people. Met pink panther and she was super cool but she’s pushing pretty heavily to meet up with her husband for their one year anniversary. Met up with Marc after the first climb at a water source and we filled up and then took a small break after 5 miles. Caleb also caught up to us at that point. The change in scenery is quite cool though. We have definitely hit the beginning of the sierras as it has gotten more green with more trees. A super nice change with a lot more shade. Still hot tho. I think there is a big heat wave hitting california as the news puts it as an unprecedented heat wave at this time of year. Good news is it’s melting the snow which I don’t want to have to deal with in the high elevations. After the break I sweated my ass off hiking 2000 feet plus of elevation. The grade was pretty good but I just felt slow. I know I wasn’t but it was kicking my ass. Finally got to the top for lunch and then Caleb and I booked it to the campsite as we were promised a possible swimming spot. We were practically running down hill and even tho it doesn’t take much I was dripping sweat. We pulled up to the water and we were informed there was trail magic!!!! We haven’t had a proper trail magic in awhile. It was a couple who had just gotten to Kennedy meadows and were paying it forward with drinks and best of all FRESH FUCKING FRUIT! You don’t know how good that tasted. I’m not getting enough vitamins for sure and that cured it. Watermelon, strawberries, and pineapple made my taste buds dance with happiness. I also chugged a Gatorade and a coke. I don’t like soda outside of trail but it tastes like pure gold on trail. We then picked our campsite and chilled out before finding the swimming hole. The water was so so so cold and it healed every part of my feet. I didn’t get all the way in as it was small and secluded and could barely fit the four of us on the rocks. We headed back and started dinner before we saw our beautiful leap frogging group who we keep seeing. Love them so much at this point that when we stop leap frogging I’m going to have withdrawals. We hung out at the picnic table before a guy pulled up with beers and coke and Gatorade. I can hear my belly slosh around if I move it with all the liquid in it. Caleb did not like that. I think it’s hilarious. Talking and getting to know them has been super refreshing as there are only so many subjects you can talk about with guys you have been around for almost two months. I’ve hashed out all my drama, life goals, politics, and so much more with them. I got nothing left in me.

I started audible today as well and was informed how good red rising is by Caleb so I started listening to that. So good so far. Wish I had a physical copy but that’s too much weight and I’m ultra light, DUH! Jk im not but so far it’s been really good. I kinda blacked out on the climb since I was so focused on it but then I would come out of my state and remember how fucking tired I was walking up hill and would have to take a break.

I can’t believe we are so close to Kennedy meadows!!!! I have dreamed about the day we walk into it and be done with the first section of the PCT of the desert. Actually insane! We won’t have to worry about water which will be a great change of pace. Next worry is bears and snow and then after the sierras fires. But one goal at a time and one section at a time as well as one day at a time. Super excited and ready for the change!