PCT Day 44 – PCT Mile 637.3 to Ridgecrest (653.2)

May 18, 2026

Total PCT miles: 15.9

Non PCT miles: 0.0

Total: 15.9 miles / 25.6 km

Total elevation gain: 2047 ft

Total elevation loss: 3263 ft

Steps: 48071

I woke up this morning tired and sore but no where near as sore and tired as I aught to be after yesterdays lone miles. I had an ambitious goal. Almost 16 miles before 11:00 in order to be on time for the bus that goes from Walkers Pass into Ridgecrest. I had meant to wake up earlier to make this goal less ambitious but here I am. I crammed the last of my bars and snacks into my face or within easy reach while hiking and was on my way at 0545. That’s 5 hours and 15 mins to hike 16 miles (25 kilometers). At least it’s more downhill than uphill.

The sun was rising and I could tell it was a beautiful sunrise by the colors of the sky. It’s really too bad I couldn’t camp where I originally set up last night. But I was eventually rewarded with a great vista of the valley below as the sun was just starting to crest the mountains. Definitely another beautiful sun rise for the books.

I made quick miles through the forest and to a forest road the trail joins for a few miles before I started my decent to Walker Pass. I couldn’t believe it I was likely going to make it. I picked up my pace as I went downhill and the forest once again gave way to bushes and shrubs. When will this desert end!

I passed Walker Pass campsite and was at the bus stop with more than enough time to catch the bus. But as luck would have it the first vehicle to pass by me pulled over and offered me a ride to Ridgecrest. The driver was from Brazil and has just dropped his sister off at the PCT trail head and he was now on his way back to town before going home. Sometimes a little bit of luck goes a long way.

On the way into town we passed a road sign that gives the distances to various cities. It listed San Diego as 224 miles away… I Started laughing almost uncontrollably. Here I’ve walked over 650 miles to get to this point and San Diego was so close. National Scenic Trail for the win.

I was dropped off in Ridgecrest without much of a plan. I had expected to sort out a hotel while on trail yesterday but never got a chance. So I decided to grab some McDonalds and contemplate the next move. I ended up at the American Inn – it was relatively cheap at 89$ per night, had no bad reviews on far out and they do Thru Hikers laundry for them.

I spend the rest of the day doing town chores, relaxing and trying to sort out my plan for the Sierra.