Pacific Crest Trail - Day 18

Start: Mile 188.4 - Backcountry campsite
End: Mile 209.6 - White Water, CA

Nearly 21 miles with 7800+ of elevation drop. There are very few places in the contiguous United States where a day like this is even possible. The highest mountain in the northeast is Mount Washington at 6,288 ft. the highest mountain on the eastern seaboard is Mount Mitchell in North Carolina at 6,684 ft.

Interstate 10 being that little out of the way road down there if you squint.

Just absolutely massive views. (I’d consider this one of the better photos I’ve ever taken.)

if you’re familiar with Reno, Nevada, this view and elevation felt very much like looking up at Mount Rose from south Reno. Similar foliage, elevation, temperatures.

But there’s still 4000+ feet to the valley floor!

The community of White Water, CA, east of Pam Spings, CA. Our goal for the day was a house/hostel down there somewhere.

The meandering line up the hill into the canyon is the next stretch!

Super important commerce happening down there.

I still have no idea how Kristin spotted this lil’ guy. Desert camo hide and seek champion 2005.

200! Miles! (Forgive us for the 002, it was hot, we were tired!)

I love you, Mom! I definitely didn’t cry here.

We parkoured over this chill little guy catching some heat off the trail.

We filled up with water for the final 4 miles across the valley. Apparently water is kinda contentious and guarded in Southern California?

I’m being facetious. if you haven’t, watch Chinatown (nominated for 11 Academy Awards) and read Cadillac Desert to learn about how unbelievably contentious and fucked up water rights are in the western United States. Understanding the history of water rights makes a lot of modern power structures make sense - in the sense that America First really means we claimed America first, fuck you.

Kristin is leading us towards that underpass under the second engine. It’s a strange time in my life where making it to an underpass under a freeway in the desert is the goal for the day, but here we are.

fin.

Exhausted.