Song of the post – “A Country Boy Can Survive” by Hank Williams Jr
Had a great sleep at the Horse Camp campground. This is still up in the mountains. Up and out of camp by 5:30. The FarOut app makes the 10 mile hike to Hiker Town appear to be all downhill. It’s not. 4 hr hike to Hiker Town.
A mile or so out, I think I see Hiker Town, or an abandoned car/trailer lot. I’m not really sure. My expectations are being tested at this point.
So what is Hiker Town? Hiker Town is this way station, hostel, hangout place for PCT hikers. You can receive a resupply package here, get a five dollar shower, do some hand laundry, get an amateur haircut, hang out in the sun all day, and just socialize and visit with other PCT hikers. Hiker Town is also the launching point of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, and the beginning of a 2 to 3 day desert trek to Tehachapi.
A large portion of hikers start this desert hike either late at night or in the early hours of the morning, so essentially hiking in the dark. This is done to avoid the desert heat and sun. To prepare themselves for this nocturnal journey there tends to be some form of evening festivities. While I was there it was a glow in the dark glitter and face painting party.
This group headed out around 7pm. I’ve been following them for several days, but not in a weird, creepy way. I’ve labeled them “The Yoga-lennials”. They’re all pretty young, and I’ve found them doing group yoga at the end of a long hike day, or before a hike. I envy and respect their preparedness.
hike the aqueduct
Also at Hiker Town I ran into my Oregon trail friends Glen and Bob. I really need to get a picture of these fellas. Hopefully I run into them in Tehachapi, our destination after leaving Hiker Town. That’s 48 miles farther up trail.