6/1

21 Miles

(615 to 636)

We got our earliest start yet, heading out of camp this morning at 5:30, tired and stiff. During the hike last night we descended out of the forest and back into the dry dry desert. We hiked on trying sandy trails through sage brush and Joshua trees. I felt extremely sluggish like I was bonking  all day. We made 15 miles by 1, laid down on our sleeping pads under a shade tree in the blustery wind and fell asleep. I wanted to hike enough tonight to only have ten miles to the next water source to finish up tomorrow morning, but I didn't have it in me. We found a campsite in a little gully slightly sheltered from the wind both tired and happy to be setting up before dark. 

We have 16 miles to walker pass where someone in clays family will pick us up and bring us home to visit for a few days.  We are arriving a day early, not wanting or able to linger in such a dry, hot, windy place. We will probably try our luck with hitching a ride to lake Isabella. The only thing where the trail crosses the road is a campground with horse troughs for water, a welcome sight but doesn't quite compare to the amenities of town.