June 2nd, 2016
Miles Hiked: 21
Total Miles: 596
Start Location: Mile 631
End Location: Mile 652 Walker Pasd
End Location GPS: 35.66309, -118.027350
A lot of crazy shit happened today, most of which was not planned.
The day started normal enough with an early start and a big climb from the road. The sun soon came up and the temps rose well into the 90s for the third day in a row. We took a small break at a water cache where I was promptly bitten by two fire ants, one near my right hip and one on my shoulder. The sting that erupted afterwords was the most pain I’ve ever experienced from a bite by any insect including wasp stings and small children. It burned and ached and throbbed for at least 2 hours afterwords. I never want to be bitten by fire ants again. It’s just awful.
We took a nap at 1:30 again until 3:30, and then had a short 3.5 miles to the campground and road.
When we got to the campground we ran into our friend Banjo getting into a van. He gave us some terrible news and told us the trail was closed for 8 miles between walker pass and Kennedy Meadows. The big plume we saw yesterday was for sure a serious enough fire that took out some sections of trail apparently. Damnit.
The van left the campground with Banjo in it on the way to the the Weldon KOA. The driver didn’t ask if we wanted a ride and that was okay since we planned on camping near the road to go into Lake Isabella in the morning, as I had some shorts comming through the post.
Shortly after the van pulled away it came back. The driver apologized for not asking us if we wanted a ride (not a big deal) and asked if we wanted to go to the KOA. We accepted.
We got to the KOA and paid for a campsite. At this point everyone was talking about the fire, throwing out mixed rumors that Kennedy Meadows was evacuated and roads were closed due to the fire, whereas others said no, KM was actually open. It was very confusing so we just went to the bar to have some beers and think about what we were going to do.
One beer in a guy walked into the bar and asked if anybody wanted a ride to KM tonight, right now, and that he had two seats left. The back way there was actually open and the fire contained, no evacuations. Carolyn and I pow wowed for 5 min and decided this was our best and easiest option to get to KM, since if we stayed it would be a very very difficult if not impossible 2 hour hitch to get there.
We hopped in the car, with trail angel 6-2 and Banjo, and swung by Lake Isabella Hotel to get my package. Unfortunately it was not there, but fortunately they said they would forward the package to me. Cool.
We hit the pizza place and were rolling by 8:00 as it was getting dark to KM. The sun shifted through peach colored and shmeared clouds as we drove up Sherman Pass. The road up was twisty and swervy and we almost hit two cows as we ascended from 3 to 9000 feet.
After two hours of long driving we arrived at KM in the dark at 10:30, found a flat spot to set up our tent, and passed out. Very long day but we are here at the fabled KM. Not how I intended or wanted to, but here nonetheless. Lots to do tommorrow.
