We hiked uphill the whole morning and left the desert well behind. The trees were sugar pines and Jeffery pines. It looked like the woods around Tahoe. There was even a stream with water. The air was cool, and the winds swirled around us. Despite being a trudge, it was pleasant. We climbed about 4000 feet to 8900.
We were happy to start the decent. We flew down hoping to make the progress we needed. If we were going to be in Oracle by Sunday, we needed to get in a fifteen mile day. It seemed possible. Maybe we could do Seventeen miles. And then the trail narrowed until we needed to push through the prickly bramble. Rocks of small bolder size to pea gravel covered the trail tripping us up and sliding us down. No. Falls but lots of slips it was painful, slow and maddening.
We stopped at 5:30 by a stream to get water. Our last source in 30 miles. Our packs will be heavy with water tomorrow. We were fortunate to find a flat spot to pitch our tent. We ate dinner with a Scott’s oriole flitting around and serenading. We only made it 13 miles. Will start before sunup tomorrow.
Mountain Peace 
Amazed you made it 13 miles! (And hope a hitch into town for post might also give you a chance to hydrate – maybe find an iced coffee/monster?) We really enjoy your blogs.
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