May 20th
The morning was cold but we woke up with warm spirits bolstered by fresh fruit and juices leftover from last night’s feast. Our descent continued into lower elevatons, back to the desert.
On the ridge coming off of Messenger Flats we hiked over oncoming mountain lions tracks fresh from last night and following some deer tracks.
The data book makes the hike look like a steady drop, but the trail was more like a roller coaster, with lots of intermediate ups and downs.
At Soledad canyon we crossed a paved road and spent an hour under the shade of tall cottonwood trees at Robin’s Nest RV park having lunch with Supertramp and Halftrack.
The final 10 miles into Agua Dulce was another series of ups and downs and around abouts, rolling over hills the hard way. Vasquez rocks with their stunning formations were the perfect welcome to town. If you have ever seen almost any old western or new car commercial you have seen Vasquez Rocks, although you may not know it.
In town we found the Saufley’s “Hiker Heaven” hostel, got showers and laundry started and went out for margaritas, mexican food and margaritas.
