Pacific Crest Trail

Altitude: Above 6,000 feet

Location: Near Truckee and Donner Pass

Goal: Hike part of Pacific Crest Trail

It’s a beautiful morning. Cloudless, deep blue sky, temperature in the 60s. We set off on a trailhead that puts us on the famous Pacific Crest Trail, a 2600-mile long path that stretches from Canada to Mexico. We’re not going that far. For today, we will journey just a fraction of the way.

Almost immediately we come upon a nameless lake, one of several we will encounter in this high Sierra country. It snows early and late here so snowmelt lakes abound in every depression in the landscape.

While there’s water, water everywhere, our dry rocky trail hints that rain hasn’t fallen in awhile. Nature doesn’t seem to mind. Wildflowers flourish, some springing tall between rock crevices and others hugging the dusty soil. This is the ultimate in drought-tolerant landscaping.

We scramble over granite boulders and walk along rock faces. The trail disappears and then reveals itself again. 

Quickly we pass Lake Azalea and then Lake Flora, secluded bodies of water in this quiet wilderness. I’m buzzed by a blue dragonfly and then it’s gone. There’s a stunning view of Donner Lake in the far distance, a cool blue splash in the green pines.

Lake Angela is our destination and we sink onto a granite ledge to eat our lunch. A surprising sight – a large white pelican paddles its way around the lake. A granite island rises from the water. There’s a steady roar as wind rushes through the trees. The world seems distant and unimportant from here. We talk about nothing.

The day has grown warm and it’s time to head back. Overhead summer sun at this altitude is wicked. I savor the journey, snapping pictures furiously so I can revisit this place from home.