Day 22


There seems to be a pattern of a long, hot, terrible descent to a major interstate and today was no different. I also seem to find myself hiking down in the middle of the day, where the intense heat of the sun makes the hike a bit more challenging.

Nevertheless, the motivation for the day is the infamous "only McDonald's on trail." It was a long hike down and I quickly went inside the air conditioned building to cool my body off and ordered me some tasty, although unhealthy, burgers (yes, plural) and a cold soda (with unlimited refill of course).

We then all waited outside, looking like a bunch of homeless people, using tarps like temporary shelters, as we waited for the temperature to cool down before we tackle the next few miles halfway up the mountain. For those unfamiliar with PCT hikers passing through this area, they must have been very, very confused with the situation.

Pure Hiker Trash, this is! lol.

Since we still had quite a bit to go to the water cache, we started going in the afternoon. We hiked in the tunnel under the freeway, where at the other side, we saw more hikers waiting out the heat.

Then we came through this section with old, rusty cars that, with the afternoon sun, actually was great for taking some photos.

And we continued our hike to the water cache, hoping there is enough water. If not, we'll haver to come back to McDonald's, where there is also a gas station.

Also of note, some have decided to take out a bunch of McDonald's burger for dinner.|I also heard that it didn't go so well in their stomachs.

Tunnel under railroad tracks

Final hill before reaching the water cache as the sun sets in the mountains.