Pacific Crest Trail, 9.7 miles RT, Inspiration Point to Vincent Gap, 1,827' +/-, Christmas Day 2017

Our Christmas Day was spent hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail from Inspiration Point to Vincent Gap. The air was calm but crisp and scented with my favorite vanilla Jeffery Pines.  The trek along this stretch of the PCT is mostly evenly graded and under the shade of pine trees until you drop down into Vincent Gap where you’ll lose about 1,000’ of elevation in less then a mile.  If you do this trail, just remember to leave some extra gas in the tank for the climb back up later.  Beautiful pine needles cover much of the path along the way and just before Vincent Gap you’ll pass through a flat section where there’s a pine grove.  As the trail begins to descend the scenery then changes into a scene from Snow White’s forest and you’re suddenly in a fairytale forest of oak trees.  We hiked almost 10 miles round trip stopping at Jackson Flat campground to have lunch.  I can’t think of a better way to have spent our Christmas this year then on the trail in these beautiful mountains!

Heading up the PCT from Inspiration Point.

Heading up the PCT from Inspiration Point.

Looking over at Mount Baden-Powell.

Looking over at Mount Baden-Powell.

Beautiful Jeffery Pines that smell like vanilla. 

Beautiful Jeffery Pines that smell like vanilla. 

Arriving at Grassy Hollow.

Arriving at Grassy Hollow.

Continuing on towards Jackson Flat Campground.

Continuing on towards Jackson Flat Campground.

Great desert views along the ridge.

Great desert views along the ridge.

A beautiful pine needle trail.

A beautiful pine needle trail.

Big pines everywhere.

Big pines everywhere.

Getting closer to Jackson Flat.

Getting closer to Jackson Flat.

Continuing on to Vincent Gap.

Continuing on to Vincent Gap.

Just before you start to descend, there's a lovely pine grove.

Just before you start to descend, there's a lovely pine grove.

Going down into Vincent Gap looks like you've arrived in Snow White's forest covered in oak.

Going down into Vincent Gap looks like you've arrived in Snow White's forest covered in oak.

A fairytale of oak trees.

A fairytale of oak trees.

PCT marker at the end of this stretch of trail in Vincent Gap.

PCT marker at the end of this stretch of trail in Vincent Gap.

Heading back.

Heading back.

Climbing up out of Vincent Gap we had lovely views of the Devil's Punchbowl.

Climbing up out of Vincent Gap we had lovely views of the Devil's Punchbowl.

The Devil's Punchbowl.

The Devil's Punchbowl.

Heading back up the ridge.

Heading back up the ridge.

More lovely pine trees.

More lovely pine trees.

Trail magic left by trail angels at Inspiration Point where the PCT crosses over Highway 2.

Trail magic left by trail angels at Inspiration Point where the PCT crosses over Highway 2.