June 1, day 64, km 997
Distance to Kennedy Meadows, gateway to the Sierra: 133 km
Took off at 9:10 am and reached the first spring after 6 km (Robin Bird Spring), where we took a break. Shortly after, we met a few PCT Association volunteers, who were clearing the trail of fallen down trees with the help of horses, axes, and chainsaws. We were pleased to be able to mention that we, too, are PCTA members! We learned that today and tomorrow at midday the weather forecast is predicting rain and storms. It did, in fact, start to rain shortly after, not a lot, but enough to induce us to put on our rain gear and cover Olli's backback with a rain protector. (Sabine’s backpack is waterproof.). Despite the rain, it was great hiking, downhill and in the woods with pleasant temperatures.
At 5 pm, after 20 km, we took a break and ate tortillas with avocado and tuna. After the day's hike through forest and rocky landscape, we suddenly found ourselves in a desert landscape again that evening, characterized by Joshua trees. We didn't realize we now faced one of the longest dry sections of the PCT! Normally about 70 km without water. At kilometer 991 the trail crosses Kelso Valley Road, where there's a large water cache by the side of the road. But we reckoned we had enough water. Hiked until 10:30 pm. The day's tally: 34 km.
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