Journey Day 39 | PCT Day 39

Guidebook authors shared temporary route changes

5/25/85

Our friends’ wedding day began before dawn for two of their best friends. Up and away, hoping to get miles covered before the Mojave heat gets too intense. Jeff Sauer, with whom we’ll hike on and off all the way to Canada shows up as we leave.  Along the Agua Dulce Road, into the Sierra Pelona Highlands. We crash for the afternoon after about eight miles. A windy ridge beats a buggy one any day.

The five-mile hike into Acton, hectic chores in town and seven miles to Readmond’s comprised a tough day. We are low on sleep, but I write, rather than crash.

After crashing too long on the mountaintop and reading Buddhism, we hike down the ridge. Eat at the Bouquet Canyon Road before a six-mile hike in the dark lit by flashlight.

It’s a new adventure, but I fear injury. I’m on my last set of batteries. We crash late under the stars. Ticks must have jumped me in the dark. I pulled about eight off during a damp night of fitful sleep.