Leaving South Lake Tahoe, we made an unplanned stop four days later, reaching the unfortunately named but historically interesting Squaw Valley, home of the 1,960 Winter Olympics. Over the last week, Mary has been experiencing fatigue and progressive chest pains as we hiked through the ending ranges of the Sierra Nevadas. This growing concern led …
This last stretch was our most difficult yet. We went nearly two weeks without a break, and our bodies and spirits were as fatigued as I have been in my life. In addition, a warning: if you want to go to the Yosemite Wilderness in the Summer, read on bug pressure! We experienced more mosquitos …
This stretch has proven to have the most beautiful and difficult hiking that we have encountered yet. Averaging nearly 20 miles a day, often over vast elevation changes, has pushed us to our limits out here. Over the course of 8 days, we have crossed 8 major passes, 100 miles, and we saw awe inspiring …
In this stretch, we have begun the section where the Pacific Crest Trail intersects with the John Muir Trail. The JMT runs from Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States, to Tuolumne Meadows near Yosemite Valley. The average altitudes that we have been hiking at is in excess of 10,000 ft, often …
Finally have a chance to post again. We have been going through more remote portions of the trail, and I have found data perhaps 3 times in the last two weeks. We have reached a major landmark, finishing the first 700 miles and the desert in this stretch. We’re worn out, but excited for what …
After recuperating our bodies and minds in Wrightwood for the last few days, we’re back at it. This has been our longest continuous section yet. Over these last 200 miles, we have been slept through a snowstorm, summitted 2 mountains, crossed one of the world’s largest wind farms, and went through the eerie site of …
Before writing about this section, I wanted to get a little time behind me. Though the trail was not too difficult, this was the hardest part of the journey so far for me, as I was hiking through an injury. Despite this, we experienced some of our most beautiful, bleak and bizarre views so far …
Everything changes so quickly out here. In 40 miles, we came from a blistering desert to a roaring river, to again at 8,000 ft in the high country. We found an oasis in the desert and realized how dramatic the presence of water is to a landscape. Day 22, Cabazon to Whitewater Junction, 9.5 Miles …
On this leg, we passed through the San Jacinto Mountain Wilderness. The San Jacintos are a small range in southern California that stretch for about 30 miles. The range features one of the most abrupt changes in altitude in North America, rising 7,000 ft to above 10,000 in elevation in only a few miles. Known …
Freshly resupplied with food for our next stretch we made our way over the next few days towards a staple of the Pacific Crest Trail: The Paradise Valley Cafe. But it was not easy.It was another difficult stretch as we encountered our calmest, but also hottest weather. This week we passed through the driest landscapes, …