It’s a dry country…

c) Andrew Carter, 2021

But oh, so beautiful.

When most people think of the Sierra, they think of the beauty of Yosemite — waterfalls, forests, granite. That’s not the case this far south. The mountains are dry. Lots of sand, sage brush, and an occasional Joshua tree.

It’s so dry that water can be a problem. Fortunately there are “trail angels” who leave water caches like this one:

Otherwise, I’d have to get off the trail and walk several miles to reliable water infrastructure for grazing cows, as the map below shows. (Given the dryness of the countryside, grazing can only take place in winter.)

I’m posting this from the trail. I’m on a ridge facing the Mohave and I happen to have cell service.

It’s late. I’m tired. Catch you later.

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Andrew Carter

I just completed a multi-year thru hike (MYTH) of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It took three years. I hiked 1840 miles in 2021, 733 miles in 2022, and 122 miles in 2023. The only reason I had to hike in 2023 was a wildfire closure at the north end of the PCT in 2022. During the past two years, I've also thru hiked other, shorter US trails. I hiked the Benton MacKaye Trail (GA, NC, TN) and the Tuscarora Trail (VA, WV, MD, PA) in 2022 plus the Ozark Highlands Trail (AR) in 2023. I hope to hike the Long Trail (VT) next year and the Colorado Trail at some point in the future. Please note, all content on this site is copyright.

7 thoughts on “It’s a dry country…”

  1. I recently drove across the Mojave Desert to take my son William to a wrestling tournament in Arizona (he was training in California at the time). I was in awe of the landscape – just breathtaking.

    Safe journey!

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    1. I’ve absolutely come to love the desert, particularly as seen through the window of an air conditioned car. 😁 Joking aside, at dawn and at dusk, the desert is especially beautiful.

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  2. Nice pics! I thought of you as I saw clouds build over the crest of the Sierra today…fortunately you are way South of there. If you are ever at a loss for words, feel free to do some gear talk! 🙂 Happy trails!

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  3. Beautiful country! I’m so glad you are following your dream.
    P.S. Great pic of you and Marta in earlier post.

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  4. Beautiful! And that’s a lovely water cache. Hope you’re having wonderful days and peaceful nights out there. What critters are you seeing?

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