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Crystal Hikes

@crystal_hikes

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Hiker 🚶‍♀️ naturelover 🏕🦊 travelbyfoot #adventurerslick
Life begins outside our comfort zones.

POSTS STORIES REELS

I needed to finish posting my trips and hikes prior to JMT, but starting soon I will begin posting each day of my JMT journey. I'll add as much information as I can and hopefully do our trip some justice.

Here are a few as I prep for whats to come. I'm so excited to share with everyone these amazing 20 days.

While I'm bummed the final 2 days of vacation were not spent on trail due to storms over the Sierra, it did feel good to get everything unpacked and cleaned before the work week.

If theres any specific information you'd like me to add to my description, add a comment and let me know.

jmt #hiking #backpacking #adventure #nature mountains journey beauty #photography fyp viewers outdoors trailreview beautiful by @crystal_hikes

I needed to finish posting my trips and hikes prior to JMT, but starting soon I will begin posting each day of my JMT journey. I'll add as much information as I can and hopefully do our trip some justice.

Here are a few as I prep for whats to come. I'm so excited to share with everyone these amazing 20 days.

While I'm bummed the final 2 days of vacation were not spent on trail due to storms over the Sierra, it did feel good to get everything unpacked and cleaned before the work week.

If theres any specific information you'd like me to add to my description, add a comment and let me know.

Jmt #hiking #backpacking #adventure #nature mountains journey beauty #photography fyp viewers outdoors trailreview beautiful by @crystal_hikes

No one will mind if I just stay here forever will they? I absolutely loved this view and the perfect reflection.

#reflection #mountains #stillness #naturephotography #nature #beauty #snowcapped #hikingnevada #hike #calforniahiking #california #adventurerslick #adventure #healing #love #outdoors by @crystal_hikes

A new area, a lesson learned.

Flaming and Rae Lakes
John Muir Wilderness, Sierra National Forest
25.5 miles, 3697ft gains.

This is definitely a destination hike. I followed the trail in trees for 12.5 miles before finally hitting Flaming Lake (9700ft).

There's not a lot in the lines of views, only small pockets to look out, otherwise it's just you and the trees.

Parking on the south side of Courtright Reservoir at the Maxon Trailhead (8000ft) is the trail for Hell For Sure Pass. Continue on to the pass or one of the many other areas this trail can connect too.

Pretty mild trail to Rae Lake (9850ft), easy to follow. I noticed that if I hiked one more day, I could make to MTR (Muir Trail Ranch) which is where we did our one and only resupply on the JMT. It's cool when you start to see things connecting.

As for this one, both lakes were pretty, this Rae Lake is definitely Rae Lakes (deeper into the Sierra) but still beautiful. The whole hike back was a little boring and the last mile sucked.

The trail goes back and forth from thick sand, dusty dirt, and rocky. Lots of areas I had to watch my foot placement but not bad at all over all.

#hiking #adventure #mountains #outdoors #nature photography fyp explore viewers lake by @crystal_hikes

WATER Wednesday.

Mendocino water is magic. I've never seen these colors anywhere else. Its my favorite coastal town.

Before I walk the bluffs I enjoy a stop in at Good Life Bakery for a pastry and hot drink. This trip I tried the peanut butter cookie and the pumpkin pie tart with the hot apple cider. Soooo good.

If you havent been, highly recommend spending time in Mendocino. The bluffs trail is 4.5 miles but at the right time there's tide pools to explore.

#water #ocean #coast #adventure #hike hiking nature photography mendocino fyp viewers by @crystal_hikes

Cabrillo Lighthouse. I loooove Lighthouses and I love Mendocino.

#lighthouse #nature #naturephotography #adventure #ocean by @crystal_hikes

Life is about balance. ⚖️

Some people meditate and do yoga, I hike and say f*ck alot, same thing.

I'm getting better at both actually. Saying f a lot less and doing more yoga and meditation.

How do you take care of yourself?

#hike #meditation #meditate #yoga #nature viewers fyp selflove selfcare by @crystal_hikes

We are JMT FINISHERS!!!! What an amazing and exciting, peaceful journey and I am so happy about it.

JMT Journey Day 20 - 10.1 miles, 305ft gains.
Forsyth Trail to Yosemite Valley Happy Isle
Yosemite Wilderness, Yosemite National Park
Total over all - 237.2 miles, 45,0837ft gains.

This cold, wet morning we'd wake up on the ground, scoot out of our tents, be cold and tear down camp for the LAST TIME.

It was wet from the pervious 12 hour rain storm but it was a stunning, cloud covered sky morning.

We did our normal breakfast, tear down and repack routine and strapped up to finish our JMT journey. Only 10 more miles.

There was 2 miles of catsclaw and slightly overgrown but once out of that, your back to a perfect trail.

There were so many people heading up for Half Dome and Clouds Rest. Just constant people and because of where we were, we knew it was just going to get worse.

It is all downhill on a dusty dirt and sometimes rocky trail. We made a quick stop at Little Yosemite. Passing the Mist Trail, heading over Nevada Falls beautiful bridge and finishing the final miles of JMT.

We FINALLY SAW A BEAR!!! We approached a group staring up the trail and I asked what everyone was looking at. No one could find it but was told it was there. I found the bears tush in about 30 seconds and pointed it out before moving to a better view point.

I said "hey bear look up" and sure enough, it did. Everyone was making supporting sounds and laughing. We took our clicks and carried on.

For the first time in 20 days, I was over it. This was never my favorite part. From Nevada Falls to the Valley, just relentless, neverending, descent that hurts the body.

But FINALLY we were passing the big sign and making it thru the finish line. WE ARE JMT FINISHERS. Time for our congratulatory pizza and beers. 🍕🍺🍻

jmt #hiking #backpacking #adventure #nature mountains journey beauty #photography fyp viewers outdoors trailreview beautiful complete finisher accomplished 2026Goals by @crystal_hikes

We are JMT FINISHERS!!!! What an amazing and exciting, peaceful journey and I am so happy about it.

JMT Journey Day 20 - 10.1 miles, 305ft gains.
Forsyth Trail to Yosemite Valley Happy Isle
Yosemite Wilderness, Yosemite National Park
Total over all - 237.2 miles, 45,0837ft gains.

This cold, wet morning we'd wake up on the ground, scoot out of our tents, be cold and tear down camp for the LAST TIME.

It was wet from the pervious 12 hour rain storm but it was a stunning, cloud covered sky morning.

We did our normal breakfast, tear down and repack routine and strapped up to finish our JMT journey. Only 10 more miles.

There was 2 miles of catsclaw and slightly overgrown but once out of that, your back to a perfect trail.

There were so many people heading up for Half Dome and Clouds Rest. Just constant people and because of where we were, we knew it was just going to get worse.

It is all downhill on a dusty dirt and sometimes rocky trail. We made a quick stop at Little Yosemite. Passing the Mist Trail, heading over Nevada Falls beautiful bridge and finishing the final miles of JMT.

We FINALLY SAW A BEAR!!! We approached a group staring up the trail and I asked what everyone was looking at. No one could find it but was told it was there. I found the bears tush in about 30 seconds and pointed it out before moving to a better view point.

I said "hey bear look up" and sure enough, it did. Everyone was making supporting sounds and laughing. We took our clicks and carried on.

For the first time in 20 days, I was over it. This was never my favorite part. From Nevada Falls to the Valley, just relentless, neverending, descent that hurts the body.

But FINALLY we were passing the big sign and making it thru the finish line. WE ARE JMT FINISHERS. Time for our congratulatory pizza and beers. 🍕🍺🍻

jmt #hiking #backpacking #adventure #nature mountains journey beauty #photography fyp viewers outdoors trailreview beautiful complete finisher accomplished 2026Goals by @crystal_hikes

JMT Journey Day 20 - 10.1 miles, 305ft gains.
Forsyth Trail to Yosemite Valley Happy Isle
Yosemite Wilderness, Yosemite National Park
Total over all - 237.2 miles, 45,0837ft gains.

This cold, wet morning we'd wake up on the ground, scoot out of our tents, be cold and tear down camp for the LAST TIME.

It was wet from the pervious 12 hour rain storm but it was a stunning, cloud covered sky morning.

We did our normal breakfast, tear down and repack routine and strapped up to finish our JMT journey. Only 10 more miles.

There was 2 miles of catsclaw and slightly overgrown but once out of that, your back to a perfect trail.

There were so many people heading up for Half Dome and Clouds Rest. Just constant people and because of where we were, we knew it was just going to get worse.

It is all downhill on a dusty dirt and sometimes rocky trail. We made a quick stop at Little Yosemite. Passing the Mist Trail, heading over Nevada Falls beautiful bridge and finishing the final miles of JMT.

We FINALLY SAW A BEAR!!! We approached a group staring up the trail and I asked what everyone was looking at. No one could find it but was told it was there. I found the bears tush in about 30 seconds and pointed it out before moving to a better view point.

I said "hey bear look up" and sure enough, it did. Everyone was making supporting sounds and laughing. We took our clicks and carried on.

For the first time in 20 days, I was over it. This was never my favorite part. From Nevada Falls to the Valley, just relentless, neverending, descent that hurts the body.

But FINALLY we were passing the big sign and making it thru the finish line. WE ARE JMT FINISHERS. Time for our congratulatory pizza and beers. 🍕🍺🍻

Jmt #hiking #backpacking #adventure #nature mountains journey beauty #photography fyp viewers outdoors trailreview beautiful complete finisher accomplished 2026Goals by @crystal_hikes

Finishing JMT with a moody Yosemite National Park.

#hiking #nature #adventure #mountains #photography by @crystal_hikes

JMT Journey Day 19 - 15.8 miles, 2647ft gains.
Toulumne Meadows BPCG to Forsyth Trail
Yosemite Wilderness, Yosemite National Park
Total over all - 237.1 miles, 41,988ft gains.

#hiking #mountains #adventure #nature #photography by @crystal_hikes