Pacific PodCast Trail: The Sierra

The latest installment of the Pacific PodCast Trail – a walking syllabus for learning about the peoples, plants, and, yes, politics, connected by the thin line that is the Pacific Crest Trail. These are works in progress, with more episodes being added as I find them, so check back in for updates.

The Sierra segment covers Kennedy Meadows South to Sonora Pass, miles 700-1030. And yes, geologically the Sierra Nevada begins at Tehachapi Pass and extends much further north, but we all just do what FarOut tells us to now (like call it FarOut instead of Guthook). Sierra geology podcast recs anyone?

SPOTIFY: Pacific PodCast Trail: The Sierra

Pacific PodCast Trail: The Desert covers miles 0-700 and its listening guide has a longer explanation of the project. In short, these are the playlists I wish I’d had: a walking syllabus for broadening perspectives beyond the narrow tread. NorCal, Oregon, and Washington lists coming eventually.

Additions, subtractions, suggestions for this making accessible, and general comments always appreciated! Listening guide with mile markers and brief explanations of what goes where below.

LISTENING GUIDE

Mile	Episode	Description
702	Ologies: Ursinology Episodes 1 & 2	Bear can weighing on you?
750	Park Leaders Show: The Rise of Environmental Law	That one time Disney tried to build a resort 20 miles west of here and now mountains and rivers are legal persons (OK, just a few in New Zealand, but still)
767	Unrooted: Payahuunadü (with Jolie Varela)	Listening to those who came first, as you set foot on the so-called JMT.
770	Completely Arbortrary: Giant Sequoia	Following the High Sierra Trail west from Wallace creek leads to the land of the giants.
775	The Ezra Klein Show: A Weird and Wonderful Conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson	Sci-fi legend is a gram weenie! And has a lot to say about the Sierra and “psychogeology” which seems fitting for the PCT “high” point.
789	American Indian Airwaves: Manzanar Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust: from Payahuunadu to Tongva	Native America, Japanese American, and ranchers in an unlikely alliance against LA’s dominance in Owen’s valley. You know, where you are probably resupplying (or wish you were).
807	Park Leaders Show: Who is Gifford Pinchot?	A hero, who earned his pass? Or the villain who allowed the LA water grab and damming of Hetch Hetchy? (that’s in Yosemite, more soon!)
810	The John Freakin’ Muir Pod: The Last Season – Eric Blehm	Interview (no spoilers!) with Eric Blehm, author of The Last Season, which chronicles the 1996 disappearance of the Bench Lake ranger.
815	Lost in the Woods: Radio Silent – Randy Morgenson	If you can, just listen to the Last Season audiobook instead (by Eric Blehm). This Podcast is not the best but the actual story is enthralling.
827	National Park After Dark: Presumed Dead: Kings Canyon National Park	Incredible survival story along the Middle Fork of the Kings River.
831	Blue Dot: Miracle Country	Author (and her dad) recount adventures growing up just outside Bishop: fires, water grab, hot air balloon near misses, and Mary Austin.
841	Stuff You Should Know: John Muir: Outdoor Enthusiast	You’re on his pass and all up in his hut. But who even was John Muir?
855	Gastropod: Snack Attack!	Sierra hiker-hunger is next level.
900	America’s National Parks: Ansel Adams	Landscape photographer in the wilderness given his name.
930	America’s National Parks: Muir, Rosevelt and Yosemite	Muir takes the president camping in Yosemite (and the pesky public won’t leave them alone).
930	Little Yo Pod: The Buffalo Soldiers	Small steps toward correcting white-washed parks history.
935	Climbing Gold: Dope Lake (4 part series)	Six TONS of weed crash land in Merced Pass Lake, and the feds underestimate how motivated dirtbag climbers can be.
940	National Park After Dark: Dying for the Cause	Base jumping in Yosemite Valley
942	Bay Curious: Hetch Hetchy Water’s Epic Journey	For hiking across San Francisco’s water supply: the Tuolumne River (you follow it to Glen Aulin)
942	Little Yo Pod: The Fight for Hetch Hetchy	Muir (and Pinchot though he’s not mentioned explicitly here) return in the fight for Hetch Hetchy, directly downstream.
942	America’s National Parks: Restore Hetch Hetchy	Broken promises and the argument for recreational access to public lands.
950	The Experiment: Should We Return National Park to Native Americans?	Land Back. What if Muir’s preservation and Pinchot’s conservation were both wrong?
952	National Park After Dark	Feeling too much like school? Here, have another Sierra plane crash survival story. White Mountain is east of Glen Aulin.
985	Stuff You Should Know: Mosquitos: The Worst	Here’s hoping you don’t need this one here, but IYKYK.