In PapaDen's Pacific Crest Trail Journey: Book Two

Dennis Armand Clairmont continues his immersive memoir of hiking America's legendary Pacific Crest Trail. This volume follows three distinct arcs of his 2019 trek: the desert approach from Hiker Town to Tehachapi, the climb from Tehachapi to Walker Pass, and the sweeping northbound return southbound from the Oregon border to South Lake Tahoe.

Through poetic detail and raw honesty, PapaDen captures the paradox of the trail—harsh desert winds one day, alpine wildflowers the next; loneliness beneath endless ridgelines followed by the gift of trail magic at an impromptu "bar and grill" in the wilderness. Each chapter reads like a journey within a journey, carrying readers from the Mojave's sunbaked aqueduct miles to the volcanic landscapes of Lassen, the quiet creeks of the Trinity Alps, and the granite cathedrals of Desolation Wilderness.

Beyond the geography, this book is about transformation. The author reveals the inner pilgrimage every long-distance hiker walks: discovering resilience in fatigue, grace in hardship, and unexpected peace within the movement of one step after another. Daily itineraries, resupply details, and photography enrich the narrative, making it not only a memoir but also a practical companion for future hikers.

For anyone curious about the realities of the PCT—its camaraderie, solitude, dangers, and joys—Book Two offers a window into a journey where landscapes shape the hiker as much as the miles covered. As the story culminates at Echo Lake, the stage is set for the High Sierra, where Book Three continues the adventure.