May 27th
The morning started with a ridge walk dropping into a dry canyon followed by a long hot climb.
We have been experimenting with eliminating coffee in the morning during the days we are on the trail. By also switching from hot breakfast foods like oatmeal to cold stuff like granola we are able to get going earlier in the day without taking the time to cook. And we need less fuel, so we save on weight. So far the experiment is working well. We don’t really miss the coffee that much (although we do make up for this in town).
After ganing the high ridge the rest of today’s walk was a gradual descent, generally well graded and not too difficult. It would have been very pleasant except for the continuing OHV damage, which made for some more trail confusion, difficult footing and lots of visual impairment. The trailside vegetation has suffered badly and it is at times just heart breaking to see.
My left ankle has been very sensitive and is developing a general “soreness.” Not much to do for it but to step carefully.
Arriving at Willow Pass Road, our access to the town of Tehachapi, we caught up to Matt, Adam, Supertramp and Halftrack who had spent about an hour trying to hitch a ride. We could see them for the last 30 minutes a the trail dropped off a ridge to meet the road and were all ready to arrive and show them how its done (couples usually have much better luck getting rides). As we were walking up, Adam had thumbed down a pick up, so we ran the last 100 yards to take advantage and all six of us piled in and rode to town. Adam’s good luck meant that our lesson would have to wait. Time now to go enjoy town and all that Tehachapi has to offer. The driver gave us quick mini tour of town before dropping us off.
We found a room at the Santa Fe hotel, very basic accommodations at a good rate, downtown. After a quick shower we enjoyed a late lunch next door at Kelcys, followed just a few hors later by a mexican food dinner. A nice start to a town stop.
