Western United States
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Reflecting on the PCT High Sierra: entry date, resupply, gear, and more
Before I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, one section in particular gave me pause: the High Sierra. I was already an experienced backpacker, having completed the Appalachian Trail and Colorado Trail. Even so, the big mountains of the Pacific Crest… Continue reading
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CDT Prep: What is the Continental Divide Trail?
In last week’s post, I shared that I’m planning another thru-hike. This time, I’ll be tackling the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). The CDT is less well-known than the Pacific Crest Trail, which I hiked and blogged about last year. And… Continue reading
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Everywhere I resupplied on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025
In 2025, I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. A big part of any thru-hike is eating – and all the logistics that go into resupplying food. In this post, I go over all the places I resupplied on my 2025… Continue reading
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Gear in Review: everything I carried on my 2025 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike
In 2025, I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Before starting, I wrote a post about everything I planned to pack to get me through 4 months of walking through deserts, mountains, snow, lava fields, and forests. In this post, I’m… Continue reading
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The Final Day: finishing my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike
Harts Pass to Canada (Northern Terminus). Mile 2,634 – 2,656. Day 129. I woke up early on my final day on the PCT – something I haven’t done often on this trip – at my beautiful campsite atop a small… Continue reading
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Adventures in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Leavenworth
Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass (Leavenworth). Miles 2,396 – 2,467. Days 116 – 120. The Pacific Crest Trail climbs significantly after Snoqualmie Pass into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. Hikers are rewarded for their labor when they emerge into a… Continue reading
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Hiking through Mt Rainer National Park on the PCT
~White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass. 2,308 – 2,396. Days 112 – 115. Between White Pass and Snoqualmie Pass, the Pacific Crest Trail passes through Mt Rainier National Park. The trail also crosses a large burn area from a 1988 fire.… Continue reading
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The final state: walking into Washington
Cascade Locks to ~Trout Lake. Miles 2,150 – 2,239. Days 105 – 108. At Cascade Locks, the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods and enters Washington, the final state on the PCT. From… Continue reading
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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
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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
Adventures with Val 