Kennedy Meadows, CA (Mile 702)

We can proudly say that we have successfully completed what is considered the desert portion of the trail and we will be entering the Sierras once we get another 50 miles north*. We did a big push to get here from mile 510. Over the past 10.5 days we have covered 225 miles. On top of the long days, it's been 9 days without shower or laundry and 145 miles between food sources. It's an understatement to say that we are very happy to be here!

Overall, I can say we are both very much looking forward to the Sierras and probably 99% of all thru-hikers are feeling the same way. My biggest motivator for getting further north is to have more water. We had a stretch that was over 60 miles with no natural water source on trail and over 20 miles between caches in that same stretch. It's both hard work and stressful, but we are told that it will all be over once we get to the Sierras.

Unfortunately, a fire has started just north of Agua Dulce and a good portion of the trail is now closed forcing thru-hikers down onto the Mojave desert floor. Thankfully, we had already passed through that area. The area was one of the nicer stretches, because there were lots of oak trees to provide shade. We are hoping that some of the trees might be spared.

Both of us have had a lot of time to think and discuss what we will and will not miss about the desert. In the effort of staying positive I'm only going to list what we will miss, here you go:

1. Cacti
2. Horny Toads
3. Not having to walk in the rain
4. No mosquitoes
5. Not having to put on wet shoes
6. Not having to put on a wet pack
7. Being awake to watch the sunrise

*We are actually at mile 790, but the internet was too slow to update at Kennedy Meadows. I'll post again with Sierra goodies when we get to Mammoth in 7 days.

Heading out of Agua Dulce with Grand Entrance.

Oasis water cache in the Manzanita Trees (with beer and soda).

We weren't planning on going to the Anderson's, but the taco salad pulled us in

Good music thanks to Ol' Tumbleweed.

We had to do the walk of shame in the morning, because we packed all of our stuff and then decided to stay for a "zero". Their enter back yard is a manzanita grove, similar to the rhododendron tunnels we have on the east coast, and made amazing camping.

One of the "activities" at the Anderson's is painting rocks --  Puma, who got his name because he woke up to a  mountain lion staring him down, painted this beautiful rock.

The Lake Hughes area which is now closed due to fire.

Mile 500!

The oak trees around Lake Hughes that are now in danger.

Walking down to the Mojave Desert floor -- it's going to be hot!

Staying in Hikertown for the night, so we can get a 3AM start to miss the heat. We stayed in that sweet rig in the background called "The 5th Wheel".

Walking on the aqueduct for 20 miles to make it across the Mojave. This aqueduct supplies all of LAs water.

The beard is growing!

Nothing like watching the sunrise illuminate the Mojave.

Entering the wind farm area.

It was so windy, which is good for energy production, but not so good for hiking.

Iceman checking us in.

So many wind turbines on the desert floor!

Nice cache up on the hillside with apples!

This burn was about a year ago and was due to a plane crashing into the hillside.

Really big Joshua Trees!

Tehachapi has excellent wind due to it's proximity to the Mojave and the Sierras.

Camped on the trail in the middle of the wind farm, because we didn't want to stay in town.

Hiking the last stretch before we leave the lowlands.

More burn -- this is something we won't miss about the desert.

Giggles and Sundog found a great break spot under a large oak tree.

Mile 600!

Looking back south. So happy to have some trees around!

Action shot!

This was one of the longest stretches without any natural sources of water (and no that isn't Squirt it's water).

This cache was 20 miles from the previous one with no other water source in-between.

Our first look at the Sierras! Woo-hoo!!!!

We camped at Walker Pass, because we thought a nasty storm was moving in.

The clouds were amazing and concerning all at the same time.

The cloud cleared and we didn't have to deal with any rain. 

Hiking out of Walker Pass and looking down to the Mojave on the right.

The Poodle-Dog still is out there.

This might be the last one of these we see.

The scenery is improving!

Camped just outside of Kennedy Meadows to have a "nero" into town.

Entering Kennedy Meadows -- we were so excited

Mile 700!

Time for new shoes!

It was a party!

Our home for 2 nights! 

Icebucket got some mail and Iceman is swinging around in the background!

Tom's Internet Cafe.