April 29

mile 132-152

20 miles hiked

Water is limited during this stretch, so we woke at dawn to get some miles in before the heat of the day. By 630am the sun already felt very intense.

We get to our only water source for the day at 9am. It looks like a muddy puddle with a bunch of footprints in it.

We have to dig a hole, which fills with water, and then scoop water out of the hole. We had 15 miles to go before resupply so we both took 3.5 liters each from this wet patch of dirt.

There are multiple long climbs in the sun, and we burn through our water more quickly than expected.

Luckily the desert is in bloom, and we marvel at the colors of the cactus flowers.

At midday, we are both struggling with the heat and sun exposure, and have to take frequent breaks in meager patches of shade to cool down.

We eventually make to to the highway, and get into the town of Idylwild, where we booth a hotel room and enjoy a tasting at the local brewpub before heading back to our room and falling asleep. We are a little sunburnt, a tad dehydrated, but otherwise no worse for wear.