Show mountain crest trails traverse western U S backpacking Back packing exploring expeditions from canada to mexico are possible during proper seasons over the pacific crest trail system according to information given by clinton C clarke of the pacific crest trail system conference traversing five national parks 19 national forests and crossing 16 main highways at their summit passes the pacific crest trail system furnishes a continuous route of 2300 miles of trails through washington oregon and california from border to border the trails are located just beneath the summit crests of the great mountain walls of the cascade range in washington and oregon and the sierra nevada in california the cascade crest trail miles in length runs from canada south to stevens pass mount rainier and the columbia river the oregon skyline trail miles long reaches from the washington line to mckenzie pass crater lake and the state line between oregon and california three hundred and thirty miles of the california system are included in the lava crest trail reaching from oregon to yuba gap by way of cf mount lassen central california contains three trails the tahoe yosemite john muir and sierra trails totaling miles and covering yuba gap to lake tahoe lake tahoe to tuolumne meadows tuolumne meadows to mount whit pass the desert crest trail covers miles in its course from tehachapi pass to mexico via soledad canyon cajon pass and mount san jacinto the desert crest trail according to mr clarke will afford opportunities to those who are physically able and sufficiently skilled to enjoy mountain climbing and life on the open trail by the backpacking back packing method during the winter season when the rest of the pacific crest is blocked by snow describing the desert crest trail clarke stated A pathway of wide horizons and a great variety of mountain scenery the trail traverses a semitropical semi tropical region along the summit ridges rising above the desert country although there are fine camps with good water and stone fireplaces at approximately 15 mile intervals across the desert clarke declared there is no pasture or green feed for animals |