The very talented Pacific Crest Trail drawings of Dingeman Elementary

We recently mailed Pacific Crest Trail things to San Diego’s Dingeman Elementary first grade class. They wrote back with wonderful letters and drawings. We loved them so much that we wanted to share them with you. The captions are our own imagination.

Their teacher, Tiffany Glass, is teaching a unit about the Pacific Crest Trail. She writes, “We incorporate writing, math, technology, science, health and geography all while introducing young minds to the beauty of the PCT. We talk about LNT, taking care of our planet and the list goes on and on.”

How great is that? We hope it inspires you to introduce kids to the great outdoors this year.

Pacific Crest Trail letter

Getting letters is the best.

Pacific Crest Trail drawing

I’m climbing through the Southern Sierra’s foxtail pine forests. It’s classic mixed weather. Cumulus clouds, likely evolving into cumulus congestus, are starting to sprinkle. Sun continues to poke through. Will the weather get worse? Should I continue on into the treeless section ahead?

Pacific Crest Trail drawing 2

It’s a stunning day on the rocky ridges of southern Washington state. Ducks are migrating far overhead. What are they thinking about up there? Where are they going? When I get home, I’ll check the duck migration map.

Pacific Crest Trail drawing 3

What bliss! The Pacific Crest Trail with my friends makes my heart soar. My mind wanders. I’m a fairy. I’ve got wings!

Pacific Crest Trail drawing 4

Southern California is awesome! Look at all of the flowers!! Who knew?

Pacific Crest Trail drawing 5

Top of the world ‘ma! Here I am sitting on Mt. Whitney, the world flows from the crest of the Sierra, down, down, down the watershed all the way to the Pacific. This snow just might reach the whales. That’s amazing.

Pacific Crest Trail drawing 6

Smiles not miles! I’ve made it to the jagged North Cascades. It’s blue sky bliss and I’m wearing a hiking skirt like most of my friends. Who knew that hiking in a skirt was the best?

Pacific Crest Trail art

The sun is up, birds are making noise, but I’m not ready to unzip the tent. I think I’m just going to lay here for a little bit longer. What a great camp spot.

Pacific Crest Trail art

Hey dad, do you know what a rain shadow is? It’s when mountains block wet weather and create a “dry side”. This dry side sure is steep. Ugh.

hiking art

Where are we? Not sure, but I think it’s this way. We’ll go down the mountain and then take a left. Two more hours to the car.

backpacking art

Girl party on the trail! We’ve got to do this more often. Which stretch of the PCT should we hike next month?

Author: Jack "Found" Haskel

As the Trail Information Manager, Jack works to connect people to the PCT. He's involved with a wide variety of projects that help the trail, the trail's users and the community that surrounds the experience. He has thru-hiked (Pacific Crest Trail in 2006; Colorado Trail in 2008; Continental Divide Trail in 2010) and is an obsessed weekend warrior.