The final push to Tehachapi is a rough one…

This stretch is known as sometimes the most boring but also the most demoralizing part of the entire PCT. You’re walking along a straight totally boring stretch that follows the California Aqueduct. But wait! Even though there is this river of water running next to you (or under you in some places) YOU CAN’T HAVE ANY! And you’re carrying a lot on your back because there isn’t any for a long stretch.

The only saving grace these hikers talk about is that at least because the trail is so wide with no vegetation, there is no threat of snakes or other issues. So they all put in their headphones and just make the best time they can.

But Kyle has another issue:

Finally though he starts to get near the town, announced by their famous wind farms. If you’ve never been to this part of CA, well, you aren’t missing much. It’s a hot desert and the wind blows – a LOT. Thus, the creation over the past 50 years of some of the most prolific electricity generating wind farms in the country.

Kyle said he spent the night surrounded by these, had to camp under them. And yes, they make noise and he said it was a very weird experience. You’ll be asleep, but then they will turn direction to follow the wind currents and I think we can all only imagine how odd that would sound…

So the next day he does make it into town. But don’t think it’s too easy – of course you have to up a hill again!

But then he got a treat running into good friend Dutchy, aka ‘Happy Feet’. So they took a break and shared the ride into town, and I joined him the next day.

Welcome to Tehachapi! That’s 558 miles hiked!