PCT 2018 Day 22, May 14, Monday.
Start mile 483.3, tiny flat spot
End mile 519.2, stealth camp near aqueduct
Miles walked: 35.9
Cloud cover is gone, but the temperature seems still cooler than typical. The path goes along a ridge for a while, then down and up onto another ridge, repeat as needed. The ridges are mostly covered in high desert shrubs, with scattered stands of trees, oak or mixed conifer. One ridge seems to get more rain and is covered in trees, possibly because we are at the edge of this mountain range and out of a rain shadow.
Down below lowlands become visible, irrigated farmland and grassland, and mountains beyond.
The trail is gradually descending much of the day, an easy walk. Hiker hunger, where one suddenly needs to eat a lot more food each day, has kicked in. I decide to hike a couple of longer days to arrive a day early, and split that extra day’s food to increase rations.
Down off the mountain, Hikertown is another angel-hosted facility for hikers.
I recently had a zero day, so do not feel the need for a bunk and shower and town food yet. I praise the angels willing to open their place to hikers, but respectfully hike onward.
Now at 3k elevation, the trail follows an aqueduct for a few miles.
