Day 6-(8) miles. Left my mom and sisters at 3:30 and just smashed up into the San Felipes, passing by flowering barrel cactus for the first time. Other than the cacti and the aforementioned scrub brushes, and rattlesnakes there is not much to mention up here. While I was taking in the views on a great view filled ridge just a few feet in front of me is a golden colored rattler slithering straight down cliffside of the trail, at first I stood quiet for he had not noticed yet. Thinking it was safe to cross with snake having not sensed my presence I began hiking once more, but as soon as I stepped in front of him he gave me a good rattle and a half strike at me. Ya I jumped, and needless to say I was on S.S.A. or Super Snake alert for the next few miles. Passed by Shroomer and Granna Lissa boy was it good to see them also passed Chad and Veronica as well as a couple others. Tonight I,m camped out under a small juniper and put up my tarp because I can see a storm coming this way. And it sure enough did, started out with heavy winds with light rain and progressed into even heavier winds with a substantial amount of rain. Got maybe an hour or two of sleep when I was awoken by the sight and sound of my tarp stakes being ripped up from the ground sending my tarp flying. Threw my shoes on and grabbed my small flashlight in search of my tarp fortunately it was caught in a juniper 30 or so yards away, unfortunately in the time it took me to find my tarp and secure it down using large rocks my sleeping bag and everything else was soaked I tried to go back to sleep and deal but after only a short while I was freezing. Then I decided that the only way I was going to stay warm was to get on the move. So I packed up and put what little dry clothes I had on, a disposable poncho, and my smartwool socks as gloves. Started hiking at a brisk pace and after losing the trail for a moment was able to regain it and continue up to the top of the pass.
their I was met with those winds again only this time the heavy winds were accompanied by snow pelting me in the face to the point where I could only look down at the trail in front of me. Up until then the hiking had allowed for my body core temp to rise but after just a few minutes of the snow and I was soaked all the way through and the wind seemed to cut to the bone. Hoping to make it to barrel springs where I can hopefully hitch into warner springs to warm up and dry off. I must of sounded pretty bad when I got a call out to my sister to tell her it was tough going but I could make it, then my phone died. Thankfully though I ran into Granite and the gal who first called me Howdy. I said I wasn't feeling to hot and that I had a bad night and wondered if I could trail them in the rest of the way to barrel, I'm very greatful for the company was a spirit lifter. And just as we rolled into barrel there comes this man up the trail asking if they had seen a cold hiker named Jason. But because they only knew me as howdy they looked at me and said "what's your name howdy" and when I told them the man (Jeff) asked "Jason from Oregon" yup. he told me that my sister had called and was really worried about you, he said his land rover was there and he would give me a ride to warner springs where there was a room with the heat already turned on for me, Amazing!!. How great are these folks at warner springs I cant even say enough how thankful I am. Already have been to the office thanking everyone and I would do that a few more times before I left. Back to the story, When I stepped into the land rover that's when I noticed I was mildly hypothermic I was frozen solid, cramping, and my mind was just not working right. I was having trouble remembering names and places, I even had trouble finding my cabin once I got there. Much better now drank 2 gatorades and had 2 hot showers. Later I visited the golf grill, arrived just in time the waitress told me I had 5 min. Wolfed down a burger, fries and a soda in no time flat and just as I was on my way sweet waitress filled me up to go cup with pepsi for me, now there is a girl who knows the way to my heart. Now back fat and happy. Here is a poem I've just written wow and it's only day 7 and I'm already going nuts. Just like the mountains that I climb so are my emotions there's summits a high and barren valleys below and there's always what's ahead that is new and unknown. There are always times less than great and this we all do know but there also is the mountain peak and for you it will show, Oh what a place where I can hike upon the trails of life so content with what's on my back no worries and no strife. Love everything for what it is cause life is just to short remember the trail is always ahead a camp around the corner to help get through the the valleys, the streams, and the mountains over.