PCT Map Miles 653.3
Miles Hiked 593.1
Elevation 2,263.3 feet
Miles Hiked Today 8.2
Today, I’m heading to Ridgecrest for a zero day. The distance from my current camp is only about 8 Miles to the road where I will try to get a hitchhike into town. The trail was either level or going down, so it was easy hiking to the road. Since I was in no hurry I left camp late. The hotel where I intended to stay would not check me in until 3:00 PM.
The weather has been hot. It’s usually in the ’90s by mid to late morning. Today was certainly no different. I reached the trailhead a little bit before noon, and I had dreams of a nice air conditioned hotel room.
Yesterday I posted on Facebook and asked if I would have trouble getting a hitchhike into town. The answer came back from a couple of trail Angels who said no problem. Well there was a problem. I had my thumb out for an hour and a half in the blistering heat when I finally gave up. I called the trail Angel who the day before had offered to give me a ride. It took him 40 minutes to arrive, and I was grateful to see him. He gave me a lift to the post office first to pick up a box of provisions, and then to the hotel where I intended to stay.
The Baymont hotel checked me in about 40 minutes early. After taking a shower, I went to a diner for dinner and later to a laundromat to wash my clothes. Tonight, I get to sleep in a real bed. Yippee!
