2012 - Pacific Crest Trail - South of Highway 74

Trail Overview
Zigzagging its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) boasts the greatest elevation changes of any of America's National Scenic Trails, allowing it to pass through six out of seven of North America's ecozones including high and low desert, old-growth forest and alpine country. Indeed, the PCT is a trail of diversity and extremes. From scorching desert valleys in Southern California to rain forests in the Pacific Northwest, the PCT offers hikers and equestrians a unique, varied experience. Whether you visit the PCT for a few hours or for a few weeks you'll surely find a uniquely Western scene that will rejuvenate, inspire and surprise you. Two thousand six hundred and fifty miles of adventure and discovery are waiting. For the complete overview visit:  http://www.pcta.org/about_trail/overview.asp .
The hike we took was quite a bit less than 2650 miles, in fact it was only 4 miles.  The parking lot for the trail sits at 4900 feet above sea level and the elevation gain is 200 feet making it an easy hike.  The views along the trail were beautiful and a good change from the desert vegetation.

The mileage marker heading south. We made it halfway to Table Mtn. road.

Elevation profile of the hike - starting from left to right - the center of the profile was our destination.

View looking north at San Jacinto Mountain.

I have always wondered what this tree is... might be an Arizona Cypress.

After we made it up to the ridge we had this view to the Southwest

This was the view Northwest.

Indian Paintbrush - I think there are more that 4 species of this plant.

We stopped our hike here where the trail skirts the embankment.

The view south was a bit hazy so we couldn't see Mexico but we could make out the first destination on the mileage board.

We had a discussion about the light green buds and wondered if the cactus had already flowered. 

Our group had 12 people today and we were spread out along the trail in twos.

Young shoots of a Manzanita.

I think this is called an Nolina (agave family).  Below picture is of the plant's tip.

I think this is a mature Nolina, flowered last year and dying.  We will be back next year to see what happened to the one trying to flower this year.

This was the last hike down in the Palm Springs area for this year.  I hope to have lots of hiking upon Vancouver Island this spring and summer.