May 25th - Fuller Ridge to Hwy 10

We were up and moving as the sun first started to peak up from the East. Headed across the infamous Fuller Ridge which is known for having some icy snow sections. Luckily, we only found one very small snow patch which I don't think we even had to cross. There were some ups and downs, but nothing bad. But then the downhill started. We lost 8000 feet in 16 miles - of endless and painful switchbacks. We were back in the desert - so there was no water or shade from the sun. The trail was in poor condition - sometimes washed out and for the most part overgrown with plants. We finally saw our first rattlesnake at the beginning of the descent - I spied the snake coiled up on a rock on the trail - sunning himself. Luckily, I saw him before getting too close so we didn't hear the rattle. Tom, being the manly man that he is, went on snake patrol and assisted the snake off the trail without incident. However, the rest of the day I was on guard for rattlers - which was complicated by the fact that the trail was so overgrown. I was fearful that we were going to walk on one hiding in the bushes. Luckily, we didn't see another snake.

We finally made it down to the bottom of the insane trail that we decided was designed by a kid drawing with a crayon on a map. At the bottom of the trail was a random water fountain. It was good to finally have water after a 20+ mile waterless stretch. There was also a small note from a local trail angel welcoming us to their home just a mile away - promising water, shade, and a place to rest. We hobbled down to the house and indeed found water and shade. Also found a cooler with some delicious oranges and a tub that we could soak our feet in. Unfortunately, the trail angels were not home so we weren't able to thank them in person.

And then we came upon the wind. I guess I should have known when we saw the wind farms from far away that it might be a bit windy. A bit windy is an understatement - let's just say I needed trekking poles to stay upright. We had to head into the wind several miles through desert sand - being tired, I just about gave up. We were in search of a protected spot in order to cook dinner. The only protected spot we could find was the underpass for Hwy 10. We truly felt like transients - cooking our hobo stew under the underpass next to dirty mattresses and other random trash. Due to the overwhelming stench of urine, we passed on the chance to sleep under the underpass. We found a fantastic old pine tree nearby that had a perfect spot to camp - somewhat sheltered from the wind. We congratulated ourselves for making it through a tough day of hiking...and finding a soft, safe spot to camp in the wind.