The climb out of Tehachapi was exposed and waterless, but groves of funky Joshua trees offered shade.
But climbs are also always worth it! This is the view after the first climb in the Sierra Nevada section.
I was so grateful when massive clouds rolled in to block the sun, but had to stop and assemble my rain attire when the cloudy day turned to a rainy one.
Further down the trail, I spied Bianca and Ollie and did my best to sneak up on them. We hiked together for the rest of the day, before making camp at Golden Oaks Spring with Pit Stop, and a couple named Princess (m) and Savage (f). I camped at the exact same spot in 2021!
