The plan all along was for Martha to pick me and transport me around the closure of the PCT to protect an endangered species. Now this section of the PCT has been closed as long as I can remember and YET there are still no good options go get past the closure. The PCT organization lists 3 BAD options for getting around this closure. Might be about time to figure out a good option since I don’t think this frog is going away. So Martha actually transports me from mile 403 to 390 and provides me with the trail magic and some cold water.

So after I am dropped of I have two significant ascents to overcome. One of them is 3.4 miles with an average incline of 13%. It takes me forever! I have have to stop often just to try to catch my breath and get my heart to settle down. The first real test of my lungs and I don’t like the result. But I eventually make it to the top. Takes me over 3 hours to do 3.4 miles. About a mile an hour. Try to walk on a treadmill set at 1 mile per hour. It will drive you crazy.

After getting to the top it is back to go back down. That is a little faster and I end up back on Hwy 2 at Islap Saddle. Martha has actually enjoyed the area this whole time and picks me up and takes me back to Palmdale to sleep in the hotel for the night. Next morning she brings me back.