California
-
Hiking into Oregon on the PCT on chaffed feet
~Seiad Valley to Ashland. Miles 1,660 – 1720. Days 82 – 85. The climb out of Seiad Valley is a challenging one. Hikers gain about 5,000 feet in elevation climbing back up into the mountains. The trail crosses a few… Continue reading
-
Almost out of California and crossing a fresh burn area
~Etna to ~Seiad Valley. Mile 1,609 – 1,660. Days 80-81. Past the Etna Summit Trailhead, the Pacific Crest Trail continues following rocky ridges with stunning views. Notably, the trail passes near the Marble Mountains – silvery-white rock outcrops that jut… Continue reading
-
Northern California mountains and staying with a trail angel in an off-grid cabin
~Interstate Highway 5 to ~Etna. Miles 1,500 to 1,609. Days 75 – 79. The Pacific Crest Trail climbs up dramatically from the interstate 5 corridor, gaining thousands of feet in elevation. This section includes some of the most scenic mountains… Continue reading
-
Views of Mt Shasta, unburned forest, and lots of wildlife
Burney to ~Interstate Highway 5. Miles 1,413 – 1,500. Days 72 – 74. After Burney, the Pacific Crest Trail passes near Burney Falls State Park. It then climbs up into conifer-covered mountains. The trail winds up and down, often following… Continue reading
-
Across the halfway point on the PCT
~ Belden to Chester. Mile 1,282 – 1,333. Day 65 – 66. After Belden, the trail gradually climbs 5,000+ feet up from the Feather River into the mountains. From there, the trail crosses through the burn scar of the Dixie… Continue reading
-
Hot Hiking in NorCal: Crossing a burn area in 90-degree heat
Sierra City to ~Belden. Miles 1,196 – 1,282. Days 62 – 64. Past Sierra City, the trail climbs gradually into pine forest-covered mountains. However, the trees are short lived, as soon the trail crosses the Bear Fire burn scar. Here,… Continue reading
-
Wildflower ridge walks and a 4th of July side quest
South Lake Tahoe to Sierra City. Miles 1,091 – 1,196. Days 57 – 61. To thru-hikers, South Lake Tahoe marks the end of the Sierras and the beginning of a whole new section of the PCT: Northern California or “NorCal”.… Continue reading
-
Bye-bye Sierras, trail running adventure, and vortexed in Tahoe
Sonora Pass to South Lake Tahoe. Miles 1,018 – 1,091. Days 51 – 56. After Sonora Pass, the PCT is finished with the high alpine passes of the Sierras. As the trail continues, it retreats to lower elevations. Massive peaks… Continue reading
-
Walking into Yosemite: solo camping and lazy mornings
Mammoth to ~Tuolumne Meadows. Days 45 – 47. Miles 904 – 955. From Mammoth, the trail continues through the Sierra Nevada Range. Gradually, the high passes become lower in elevation, and the sharp peaks give way to rounded rock domes.… Continue reading
-
Into the Sierras: snow travel on Mt. Whitney and Forester Pass
Kennedy Meadows to Independence. Miles 705 – 790. Days 33 – 37. After Kennedy Meadows, the PCT begins gradually climbing into the High Sierra. Hikers are rewarded for their endurance with mountain views and pine forests. The PCT passes near… Continue reading
Adventures with Val 