For the third installment of Love on the Trail, our journey through the heart of the Pacific Crest Trail concludes with a final reminder of what we all know to be true: that the trail is more than just a path—it’s a place of transformation, connection, and deep emotion. This collection of poetry captures the essence of those moments: the bittersweet farewell to the desert’s harsh yet breathtaking landscapes, the love that weaves its way through every step of the PCT, and the enduring friendships forged over countless miles.
Let these words transport you back to the places you love and perhaps inspire your next great adventure, whether on the PCT or in other far-off places. These are words we live by. Thank you for reading along this month. If you missed them, be sure to check out the first and second installments of the series. We look forward to doing more in the future!
An Ode to the Desert
Photo provided by Hannah Williams.
Desert, we’re through.
No more
desperate searching for midday shade,
chugging electrolyte Gatorade
bloody, crusted bogies from the dry, dry air,
hoping that there is water, but finding there’s none there
No more,
late-night hiking, or early-morning wakes
clothing caked in a sweaty crust
bodies covered with grime and dust
the excess of heat and lack of water
has driven us insane
We will be so, so glad
not to step foot in you again
Although …
No more
desert sunrise, peeking over mountain tips
surprise at water,
joyful unexpected dips
No more
lazy afternoon lunch breaks
or siestas in the shade
gratitude for water caches
for which we needn’t pay
gentle wildflowers,
reds and fuchsias in the breeze
prickly pears and monkeyflowers
amidst the gentle hum of bees
Yes, it’s true,
desert – we are through
although a piece of my heart
will always stay with you
Hannah (Apples)
PCT desert section 2022
Love Along the Pacific Crest Trail
Beneath the sky so vast and wide,
Where mountain winds and rivers guide,
We walk as one, step by step,
On paths where dreams and memories are kept.
The PCT, a winding thread,
Through peaks of white and valleys spread,
It whispers love in pine and stone,
A journey shared, yet walked alone.
Love for the trail, so wild, so free,
In every bloom, in every tree,
Through desert’s heat and snow’s embrace,
We find ourselves in nature’s grace.
Love for each other, bound by dust,
By aching feet and steadfast trust,
A stranger’s smile, a helping hand,
Kindness stretched across the land.
Love for the ones who clear the way,
Who build the bridges, mark the stay,
Trail angels waiting, hearts so wide,
A home of warmth where we reside.
So let us walk with love untold,
With boots worn thin, with hearts of gold,
For on this trail, through joy and strife,
We walk in love; we walk in life.
Dennis A Clairmont (PapaDen)
PCT Class of 2019
Besties
Hiking in the Russian Wilderness, Section P, Northern California. Suzanne and Larry.
Photo taken by Christine Krugh.
We hang together like good friends do.
Confidently hiking over hills and mountains.
Quietly through deep forests.
Carefully stepping in rivulets, streams, and rivers.
Side by side we are.
At all the most important times.
Scorching 90-degree days, frosty 30-degree nights.
Snow, sleet, hail, rain, wind, sun, dust and smoke.
Our friendship has lasted forty-five years now.
How can that be?
1300 miles of it on the PCT.
Washington, Oregon, Northern California.
My attachment is strong, true, and deep.
I will always find a place for you.
In my heart and in my pack:
My rag wool mittens and bucket hat!
Suzanne Bettinger
So-Bo section hiker