PCT Day 38 – PCT mile 529.3 to mile 541.6

May 12, 2026

Total PCT miles: 12.3

Non PCT miles: 0.0

Total: 12.3 miles / 19.8 km

Total elevation gain: 2667 ft

Total elevation loss: 919 ft

Steps: 29060

The desert section of the PCT really knows how to give you a one two punch to the nuts. Today was hard. I won’t lie, it hard enough that it made me think about finding the fastest way home.

I woke up at 0500 after a very short and restless sleep. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good night sleep which likely correlates to the fact my air mattress seems to deflate more and more every night. Thank goodness Sea to Summit is replacing it and tomorrow night should be the last time I have to sleep on this one. Either way 4 hours of sleep after being awake for 20 and hiking 18.4 miles is nowhere near enough sleep. Add to this my appetite today is non existent and the 34 degree heat it’s a recipe for a very unhappy hiker.

We didn’t start hiking until the sun was already starting to beat down upon us. Payback for doing our best to avoid its agony yesterday. We continued along the LA Aqueduct road entering into a section that had many Joshua Trees. The best part of the day came 2 miles in when we stumbled upon some trail magic left by Keith who is following the hiker bubble. He started by ferrying hikers from San Diego to the southern terminus and has now moved to the Aqueduct section. There were fruits, colas and Gatorade for all. Definitely the highlight in an otherwise punishing day.

The PCT then enters a wind farm which at the moment was not generating any energy as there was no wind. After 6 miles we reached the first real bit of shade and potentially last reliable shade we would see for miles. Here there is a bridge as the aqueduct runs over a creek. Several hikers were already here having hiked here the night before. I found a shady spot and did my best to get some sleep. The rest of the group carried on but I decided to stay. It was already near 30 degrees and I was tired.

There were a few hikers who had a rude awaking as out of no where the dry creek bed they were sleeping on was unexpectedly filling with water. I assume some over spill from the aqueduct? It flowed for many hours. Eventually the wind did start to pick up significantly which help keep me cool in the shade but I got no rest.

Just as the temperature started to cool down I was on my way. It was still 33 degrees but at least it would get cooler and not warmer. I also couldn’t just sit still in this spot anymore. I was instantly drenched in my own sweat as I forced myself to walk towards the next set of mountains that would get me out of this Damned valley. I kept a slow pace and drank lots of water (which for some reason tasted like soap). The climb up the first foothill leading to the next camp site took me way longer than it aught to but I eventually reached it. My plan was to continue on for a few more hours but as I was leaving I saw most of the group had stayed here. I’m glad they did because I don’t think it would have been smart for me to carry on.

Tomorrow is suppose to be cooler. So let’s hope it’s a better day. I may have thought about quitting. But I’m not going to.