The Pacific Crest Trailside Reader | Washington & Oregon
Exploring the people, places, and history of the 2600-mile Pacific Crest Trail, The Pacific Crest Trailside Reader, brings together short excerpts from classic works of regional writing and boot-tested stories from the trail.
The heart of this anthology about the Oregon and Washington section of the trail is these original trail tales, spun by real PCT hikers: trailside humor and traditions, encounters with wildlife and wild weather, rescues, "trail angels" and "trail magic." being lost and found, and unusual incidents. Take Keith Liker's humorous account of a nighttime visitor in southern Oregon, real or imagined? Or Kim Todd's eloquent evocation of sharing the trail with wild fauna. Larry Hillberg reminds us of the life-affirming qualities of wilderness and sharing the hiking experience with loved ones. Such first-person experiences will delight the imaginations of anything who has hikes, will hike, or dreams of hiking one of America's most treasured trails.
Revealing a larger context to these trail stories are historical accounts of events such as the pioneer building of the Naches Pass Wagon Road; retellings of Native American myths and legends such as that of Lost Lake near Mount St. Helens; and selections from highly-regarded environmental writers who have captured the region in print, including Barry Lopez and William O. Douglas. Readers will also enjoy a few surprising contributions from the likes of Patrick McManus and Ursula K. Le Guin.
