Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail spans the entire length of the U.S. West Coast, traveling ~2,650 miles (4,265 km) from the Mexican border in California to the Canadian border in Washington. This National Scenic Trail showcases an incredible diversity of American landscapes: arid Mojave Desert scrub in Southern California, the lofty granite peaks and passes of the Sierra Nevada (including John Muir Trail segments), the dense conifer forests of the Cascades, and volcanoes like Mt. Hood, Mt. Shasta, and Mt. Rainier in the Pacific Northwest.

Thru-hikers typically take about 5 months (April–Sept) to walk the entire trail, although many hike individual sections. The PCT is generally well-graded and non-technical (no climbing required), but its challenges include significant elevation gain (more than 130,000 m total up and down), remote stretches requiring long food carries, and potential extremes of weather (triple-digit heat in the deserts, deep snow in the High Sierra, rain in Washington).

Hikers pass through numerous protected areas (6 national parks and two dozen national forests). The trail culture is rich – with “trail angels” offering help in towns and a community of hikers sharing the journey. From the southern terminus monument at Campo to the northern terminus at Manning Park, the PCT is a monumental journey along America’s mountainous backbone.

Most thru-hikers go northbound: begin at the Southern Terminus near Campo, CA at the Mexico border in spring. They resupply roughly every 3–10 days by detouring to towns or having supply boxes mailed ahead. Key resupply towns: Idyllwild, Kennedy Meadows (start of Sierra), South Lake Tahoe, Ashland, Cascade Locks, etc. A permit from the PCTA is required for long-distance hikers, and Canada entry permit for those finishing at the border. The trail ends at the Northern Terminus on the U.S.–Canada border in the Pasayten Wilderness; most then hike 13 km into Manning Park, BC to exit. Alternately, some finish at Hart’s Pass and backtrack due to border logistics.

Mostly wild camping along the trail (backpackers camp in dispersed sites). The PCT does not have shelters like the AT, but there are frequent resupply towns with hostels, motels, and trail angel houses. Iconic stopovers include Warner Springs Community Center, Kennedy Meadows (hiker campground at gateway to Sierra), Timberline Lodge (historic lodge on Mt. Hood), and Stehekin (lodge/bakery in North Cascades).

• Highlight 1: Kennedy Meadows – Gateway to the Sierra.

• Highlight 2: Timberline Lodge – Historic hotel on Mt. Hood.

• Highlight 3: Muir Trail Ranch – Remote resupply.