Adventure of the Week: Sampling the 2,650-mile 'Crest'

Larger-than-life naturalist John Muir wrote many moving words about putting one foot in front of the other, including this piece of inspiration: "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."

Or, as novelist J.M. ("Peter Pan") Barrie put it far less reverently, "Make your feet your friends."

Hold those thoughts while you make plans to attend Trail Fest 2008, an annual celebration of the 2,650-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT joined the National Scenic Trail System on Oct. 2, 1968, as did the Appalachian (2,174 miles) and the Continental Divide (3,100 miles) trails. That triumvirate is known as the Triple Crown, though altogether about 25 trails constitute the NSTS.

The Pacific Crest Trail is a hiking and equestrian trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. Along the way, it passes through California, Oregon and Washington, meandering through diverse territory ranging from desert and old-growth forests to alpine country and rain forests. Sections of it vary dramatically in altitude. In the Sierra Nevada, the 165-mile-long Tahoe Rim Trail overlaps 43 miles of the PCT near Lake Tahoe.

As for Trail Fest 2008, which is organized each year by the Sacramento-based Pacific Crest Trail Association, let's break down the three-day event.

Trail Fest 2008

WHERE: At the Wildland Fire Training & Conference Center in McClellan Park, 3237 Peacekeeper Way. Take Interstate 80 to the Watt Avenue North exit. Take Watt north to Peacekeeper Way and turn left into the park. That entrance is before the Lion's Gate entrance.

"We're expecting visitors from all 50 states and from around the world," said Trail Fest manager Brenda Murray. "They will include not only long-distance hikers, but everyday trail enthusiasts."

FRIDAY: Featured will be a presentation by "trail angel" Donna Saufley, titled "A Decade for the National Trails" (about the PCT's history), and first-person stories from hikers who have trekked the trail. Hours: 7 to 10 p.m. Cost: free.

SATURDAY: This is the busiest of the three days. Activities, classes, lectures and workshops will focus on backcountry cooking and meal preparation; birding and nature photography; how to use trekking poles; how to pack for the trail; advice for groups of women hiking the trail; trail maintenance and volunteerism; and first aid, safety and rescue issues.

There also will be an appearance by 14-year-old Mary Chambers – a.k.a. Scrambler – who four years ago became the youngest person to hike the full length of the trail (with her parents). She will share some of her adventure stories and offer advice to children who like to hike. Her mother, Barbara Egbert, wrote about the family's trek in "Zero Days," reviewed on this page. Egbert and her daughter will autograph the book and chat with the public.

PLUS: An appearance by Francis Tapon, author of "Hike Your Own Hike: Seven Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America." Vendors will display the latest in hiking equipment – backpacks, tents, trekking poles, stoves and the like.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: There is a $15 pre-registration fee ($20 at the door) for admission to the vendor fair; the fee includes all trail classes.

SUNDAY: One tour and one hike will be offered. The first is a visit to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), the other is a hike along the American River Parkway (with trekking pole instruction, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Each is $45; round-trip transportation and lunch are part of the package. Pre-registration is required.

For more information, class times and pre-registration: The PCTA at (916) 349-2109, Extension 10; www.pcta.org; or e-mail queries to bmurray@pcta.org.

Trail books

Most hikers agree that a walk through the woods or over a mountain can change your outlook on life. Sometimes, depending on the length of the walk and the travails that are overcome, it's said that a hike can actually change your life. Or not, maybe, depending on the level of hiking experience and the "trail cynicism" that factors in.

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Allen Pierleoni at (916) 321-1128.