Day 38, May 25: Mile 542 to 558

• Start: Tylerhorse Canyon - Mile 541.5

• End: Mile 558.0

• Miles: 16.5

• Ascent: 2685 | Descent: 3603

I woke up incredibly exhausted after the night hike the day before. I wanted to sleep in but didn’t want to hike in the heat, so I started hiking by 5 or so. I hiked along some rolling hills before a long climb, already hot in the early morning sun.

At the top of the climb, there was an amazing water cache, complete with chairs, umbrellas for shade, a hiker box, pantry and library. Bobcat, Gummy Bear, Choo Choo, the German brothers, and others were there. I thought I would siesta there but there wasn’t a great area to lay down, so I continued on a little to a tent site. I was glad I did- there was a great spot under some trees with soft pine needles and sand underneath. I laid out my Tyvek and my foam pad and napped on and off for two or so hours, which I definitely needed. I ate some tuna and Nutella tortilla wraps (not together) and watched a little bit of 10 Things I Hate About You on my phone.

I finally left my siesta spot around 3pm and it was still hot but there was enough of a breeze that it was manageable to keep hiking. I crossed over big rolling hills with another, larger wind farm in the distance. I had cell service so I chatted with my sister on the phone for a little while and booked a hotel in Tehachapi.

I got to camp early and it was nice to have a relaxed dinner and bedtime routine. I camped below a big oak tree in the middle of the wind farm, and fell asleep by 9pm to the white noise of the turbines spinning in the wind.