Pacific Crest Trail Project: Calypso

As I prepared to embark on a solo thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in the spring of 2023, my husband posed a simple question: “Are you planning a trail project?” At first, I hadn’t considered it because my mind was consumed with the allure of thru-hiking and the seemingly interminable journey ahead. Much like backpacking, art has also been a lifelong hobby of mine, and a trail project presented a unique opportunity to immerse myself in both. I decided to learn a new medium and chose watercolors. At the end of each day of hiking, I sought out my most memorable moment and captured it on paper with water and pigments.

As my body adapted to the rigors of thru-hiking, my mind adapted to the demands of a new artistic expression. My legs and feet hardened and found their rhythm through the long miles, just as my hands became more sure and expressive with each brushstroke. The mental fortitude required to push through a long day on the trail mirrored the patience and discipline needed to master the flow of water and pigment on paper. Both were a testament to the power of daily practice; with every sunrise, I was becoming a stronger hiker, and with every sunset, I was becoming a more confident artist.

What makes these watercolor paintings rooted in the trail’s environment is the very essence of their creation: the water itself. As a thru-hiker, water is a demanding necessity and a heavy weight to be carried. As an artist, water is the medium that breathes life into pigment by creating soft washes and vibrant gradients. The same life-giving water that I filtered and drank became an integral part of each artwork. It’s a tangible connection to the landscape, a reminder that every sip and every brushstroke was drawn from the same trickling streams, rushing rivers, and serene lakes of the PCT.

As I hiked and painted, I began to realize my project was evolving into something not only deeply personal but also something that allowed me to capture the collective experiences of life on trail. My trail project became a way to honor the stories I shared with fellow thru-hikers, section hikers, trail angels, and everyone involved in the PCT. This book is a collection of those daily reflections; it is a visual diary of the countless footsteps, complex emotions, heartwarming community, and breathtaking beauty I experienced along the Pacific Crest Trail.