Hello Everyone,

Well, here I am laying in my tent sending you all an update on my trek today. I made it to my goal for the day and that was make it up the first steep grade at the start of the Old Ridge Route.

Last night we had a nice spot to park our Excursion for my last cozy night on a thick foam mattress. It was actually like being out in the country and the moon was fairly full and highlighted all the scenery. You would never know it was just a few miles from Magic Mountain and tons of houses.

I didn’t sleep well because I was both excited and a little nervous. I was going over everything in my head and wondering whether I had the right stuff. And What I was most nervous about was how I would do on the start of the steep climb over the mountains. I have always walked fairly consistently, and made several long treks with the Wheelie, but never really with this heavy of a load or on any steep hills.

I started out today by having to trek on busy SR126 one more time for about one mile. Then I turned north on the Old Road to Castaic, where what is left of the Old Ridge Route starts. It’s an interesting road in that it opens up to six lanes in a new residential neighborhood and then funnels down to the old two lane road. What a contrast if you think about the two, how it was and how it is now.

What worried me even more today too was that it hit 87 degrees before eleven. I just decided to pace myself and stopped as much as needed to catch my breath. Hey, I am pulling 50-60 pounds. It wasn’t easy but I made it to this little beautiful private property camp spot. I only did 11.9 miles today, but the steep hills probably made it my toughest day. I did the steepest part at two miles an hour, a lot slower than four plus miles an hour I do at home. Well, I did catch up to a young couple walking up too, even though the were towing some little kids. My walking program said that my elevation climb total was 1,745′, and I am actually at about 1,980′ now, so I think that it must count the ups and downs in the total gain? Yes, and I had a couple of those, “I think (hope) this is the top of the hill”, that weren’t. I hate them!

I set up camp early by about three and had my first camp cooked meal. Dehydrated Mac and cheese in it’s own package and with no dishes to clean. It was good, then again, everything tastes good when your starved and camping. It is a nice secluded spot, on top of the ridge of course, and overlooks I-5 to one side and an open canyon to the other. It was a great place for my evening meditation.

Tomorrow I will continue on the Old Ridge Route for about six miles, about one mile past Templin Highway, where it is gated and closed to cars for about thirteen miles. This closed part of the Old Ridge Route is a historical landmark and is in pretty rough and original condition. It was built out of concrete starting in 1910 and is only one lane. It was considered an engineering wonder at the time and there are still several historical sites left from the days when it was dotted with fancy hotels. It took twelve hours from L.A. to Bakersfield and that’s why there were so many hotels. Enough of my history lesson, but I am hoping to sleep somewhere in the middle at one of those historical sites. Maybe I’ll see the spirt of Huel Houser there since he did a segment on the Old Ridge Route.

If I can get reception I will send you an update tomorrow night.

Keep sending me all your positive thoughts,
Ted

Next Post: Day 4