Robert Francisco

Destination: Red Rock Water Tank

Starting Location: San Francisquito Canyon Road

Today’s Miles: 24.40

Trip Miles: 503.30

San Francisquito Canyon Road (4786, 3385) to Red Rock Water Tank (503, 5660) ascent (4652) descent (2477)

I think we were all dreading today because it was reported as a 30 mile waterless stretch and we assumed incorrectly that we would be fully exposed. Instead we found ourselves walking into and out of some truly beautiful live oak forest with an occasional cedar cluster thrown in. We also found a fair amount of water and we are camped overlooking the Mojave adjacent to a 10,000 gallon concrete fire water tank. Now this is a water cache.

I was able to clean up with water and we stopped early enough to allow the sun to dry my previously filthy body. I sleep so much better when I am clean.

Our group (Sugar Daddy, Weed, Cadence & I) dynamics have changed since Lucky Liz got off the trail as planned at Agua Dulce. It is not better or worse just different as everyone takes on slightly new rules consistent with the new dynamic. I am sure this will change again when Weed leaves us at highway 178. I am hopeful that our group stays together at least through the Sierra because I have confidence in this group and I know what to expect from each member & I know they are capable of making it & helping others make it as well.

I did much better on my food selections this leg. I went for maximum variety after the great nut debacle last leg. What happened was that I had bought way too many nuts and figured “oh well” I will just eat a lot of nuts instead of other stuff. Let me tell you, it will be weeks before I eat another nut and if Weed had not given me 3 oz of tuna and Luigi had not given me some M & M’s I would have certainly overdosed on nuts. There was even talk about changing my trail name to nutcase.

My food strategy for this leg was to basically not eat the same thing more than twice. It has been good with the exception that I think really fatty foods are contributing to my stomach being upset and thus my cheese & salami burrito was not very appetizing but I gagged down the needed calories regardless.

Starting to think about our Sierra strategy as it is getting close. We have several viable options with each having advantages & disadvantages. I am hopeful that I do not have to come out of the high mountains to resupply. However that could mean carrying 11 days of food and that could be problematic. We will figure it out in the coming weeks.

Destination: Red Rock Water Tank

Starting Location: San Francisquito Canyon Road

Today’s Miles: 24.40

Trip Miles: 503.30

San Francisquito Canyon Road (4786, 3385) to Red Rock Water Tank (503, 5660) ascent (4652) descent (2477)

I think we were all dreading today because it was reported as a 30 mile waterless stretch and we assumed incorrectly that we would be fully exposed. Instead we found ourselves walking into and out of some truly beautiful live oak forest with an occasional cedar cluster thrown in. We also found a fair amount of water and we are camped overlooking the Mojave adjacent to a 10,000 gallon concrete fire water tank. Now this is a water cache.

I was able to clean up with water and we stopped early enough to allow the sun to dry my previously filthy body. I sleep so much better when I am clean.

Our group (Sugar Daddy, Weed, Cadence & I) dynamics have changed since Lucky Liz got off the trail as planned at Agua Dulce. It is not better or worse just different as everyone takes on slightly new rules consistent with the new dynamic. I am sure this will change again when Weed leaves us at highway 178. I am hopeful that our group stays together at least through the Sierra because I have confidence in this group and I know what to expect from each member & I know they are capable of making it & helping others make it as well.

I did much better on my food selections this leg. I went for maximum variety after the great nut debacle last leg. What happened was that I had bought way too many nuts and figured “oh well” I will just eat a lot of nuts instead of other stuff. Let me tell you, it will be weeks before I eat another nut and if Weed had not given me 3 oz of tuna and Luigi had not given me some M & M’s I would have certainly overdosed on nuts. There was even talk about changing my trail name to nutcase.

My food strategy for this leg was to basically not eat the same thing more than twice. It has been good with the exception that I think really fatty foods are contributing to my stomach being upset and thus my cheese & salami burrito was not very appetizing but I gagged down the needed calories regardless.

Starting to think about our Sierra strategy as it is getting close. We have several viable options with each having advantages & disadvantages. I am hopeful that I do not have to come out of the high mountains to resupply. However that could mean carrying 11 days of food and that could be problematic. We will figure it out in the coming weeks.