What a perfect day for hiking. I got on the trail before 6 AM and made good time. Patti, my hiking buddy, sent me a text as she and Debbie were on their walk. I surprised them by giving them a call and we chatted for a few minutes.
By 10 AM I had already made 11 miles. My feet are doing pretty well because I stop every 2 1/2 hours to clean them and change socks. I've seen a lot of people with really bad blisters.
From where I camped last night, the trail drops down 3,000 feet in the next 30 miles. That made the hiking really fun. The desert is in bloom everywhere. The cacti and desert flowers are amazing.
The major problem in this area is the availability of water. There is a listing of all the reliable water sources and everyone stops to fill up. I met up with a number of through hikers, but I seem to be a faster hiker than most so I haven't been hiking with a group yet. I think I'm a failure at my social skills!
At the last reliable water supply, there was a lot of talk about how to make it to the next water source. There's supposed to be a water cache about 22 miles away, but some wondered if there would be any water left. The next resupply is 32 miles away. I loaded up with 6 liters and headed down the trail. I finally found a campsite just as the sun was setting. This is the view as I "cowboy camp" for the first time.
I am camped at mile 75.3, just under 30 miles today!