MM: 454.5
Trail Miles: 10.2
Miles Walked: 11.8
Today was a planned easy 10 miles to Agua Dulce. When I saw the overcast sky, I knew there was no hurry to pack up and beat the heat. I took the time to boil water for tea and oatmeal. I ate with Painter and Cloud Rider. They left shortly afterwards. I took another 30 min and got on the trail about 0745 in a cool, misting fog.
It was so pleasant to hike in cool temps and at low elevation. I was chilled and bundled up but I refuse to complain about the weather. I didn’t have cell service so I couldn’t check the forecast but I was praying this weather would last another 2 weeks – long enough to get me across the remaining 250 miles of desert.
The tunnel under Hwy 14 the trail goes through
The trail crossed under Hwy 14 near Vasquez Rocks County Park. The Parks unique rock formations have been the backdrop for hundreds of movies and TV shows over the years – Blazing Saddles, Star Trek, the Flintstones movie.
Vasquez Rocks County Park – the trail didn’t go by the more recognizable/famous formations.
I didn’t take any breaks – stopping would require layering up to stay warm – so I arrived at the Sweetwater Bar and Grill just before noon. Painter and Cloud Rider were already halfway through their lunches. A blue cheese burger and sweet potato fries hit the spot.
We met up with Smoke Beard, Fireball and Cherry Bomb. Rather than wait 45 min for the shuttle to Hiker Heaven, we opted to walk the 1+mile road walk.
Hiker Heaven lives up to its name. It’s the home of 2 Trail Angels -The Saufley’s – who every year, for 4 months, open up their home to thru hikers. They provide showers, laundry, Mail (incoming & outgoing), rides to the nearest REI, water, electronics recharging, you name it. There were over 90 (yes, 90!) hikers there the night I stayed – and it’s not even peak yet. Everything is provided at no cost. They accept donations but I actually had to ask where to put my donation. Hiker Heaven is yet another example of the incredible generosity and spirit of the Trail Angel community.
Hiker Heaven! This photo was taken early, before all 90+ hikers had arrived.
Me & Donna Saufley – who runs Hiker Heaven with her husband. Wonderfully generous people!
Other than breakfast this morning I haven’t used my stove in several days. I’d been cold soaking my food (rehydrating with cold water, not cooking). I decided to mail it ahead to Lone Pine, about 300 miles up the trail. Unless there’s a freak cold spell, I don’t think I’ll miss it. Between the stove, fuel, windscreen and cook set, I’ll be be saving a pound to a pound and a half in weight. That will help with the extended water carries through the Mojave. — Slowly I’m whittling down my pack base weight.
Once again there were a lot of new faces, people I’d never seen before. The bubble I was traveling in was merging with the bubble ahead. The snow in Big Bear had slowed people down. I was now part of ‘the herd’. It will eventually thin and spread back out, but for everyone who was worried I was doing this alone, rest assured I am not.
The marker from 1993 of the PCTs completion. It’s in an odd, unremarkable spot next to RR tracks near the KOA. I doubt many
hikers stopped to notice it.
An alfalfa farm near Agua Dulce. Zoom in on the water tank!
On a wall at Hiker Heaven
The resupply packages and laundry central. Volunteers would do your laundry for you!
The loaner clothing for doing laundry and 2 sewing machines for repairing gear. 
The outgoing mail station at Hiker Heaven, perfect for shipping gear ahead or home. 
Hiker watching movies in one of the Saufley’s campers
10 Porta-Potties! – Trail Angels understand the Hiker diet.
This rooster was angry with my tent. He also liked to go after people with bare legs. There were a few cock fights with hikers in shorts.