(+5.3 miles up Black Mtn Trail)
The day I passed the 200 mile marker was a long, varied day. It began up Black Mountain Trail, which was snow-free and full of seasonal streams… until mile 4.5, at which point I put my microspikes on and hiked in continuous snow until PCT mile 192.6.
The snow was mostly hard-packed and a little icy, so it was fun to hike on with spikes. After 192.6, the snow was patchy for about another mile before disappearing entirely.
The seasonal streams reappeared every few miles, as the flora changed into desert shrubs and cacti. I descended down into the valley ahead of another winter storm, and had the delightful second experience of hiking in a cloud.
