Written Sunday, 30 May 2021

That motel bed was comfortable! I slept great and got up by 0400. I got another shower and made sure I was breakfasted and packed by 0600 to meet my driver.

As a pleasant surprise, the driver, a huge man named "Grizz," actually showed up by 0545, and we were able to get on the road early.

That puts me on the Trail out of Walker Pass by 0630.

Naturally, the day starts with a climb, but the temperatures are cool, and the views are so gorgeous that I barely notice the effort. The long descent is equally beautiful.

By early afternoon, I reached Joshua Tree Spring, a nice , shady water source, where I meet up with Florian, Anchor, and, Baewatch. The others of our group are still somewhere behind us. Lunch/water at Joshua Tree Spring. We decide to head for Spanish Needle Spring, a few miles ahead, and call it a short day, hoping the rest of the group will rejoin.

The after-lunch climb isn't too tough and I find my way to Spanish Needle Spring by about 1530. The water is just okay, and the camp site is a little cramped. I drop my pack and walk another mile up the Trail to see if I can find a better camp site for the group, but no luck. I head back, and we decide to call it a day after 18.2 miles.

Even though 25 more people show up and cram into a camp site that can probably comfortably hold 7, we do manage to get together for dinner and a lot of laughs. Of the "missing" members of the Ambassadors, only Maverick shows up. Catch and Elle are still somewhere behind.

I am safe, dry and warm in this jam-packed camp site tonight.

Tomorrow is the last full day in the desert!

Miles Hiked Today: 18.2 Total Miles Hiked: 670.3

Sea Otter Fact of the Day: Sea otter pups are generally quite vocal, which helps sea otter mothers find their pups if the pups have drifted during sleep or foraging. However, adult sea otters very rarely vocalize. Scientists aren't sure why.