What is the Pacific Crest Trail?
For the most up to date information regarding the Pacific Crest Trail, visit https://www.pcta.org/
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 2,650 mile hiking trail that spans the length of California, Oregon, and Washington in the United States. It starts at the southern terminus on the border of Mexico in Campo, California, and ends at the northern terminus on the Canadian border just 8 miles south of Manning Park, BC.
The PCT passes through tribal lands, 7 National Parks (Sequoia, King's Canyon, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades), 25 National Forests, 48 Wilderness Areas, and crosses over 100 named mountain passes.
There are 5 distinct sections along the PCT, all with their own characteristics, challenges, and highlights. I’ve done my best to compile what I’ve found to be some of the more significant information on each section:
The Desert / Southern California (~702 miles)
Highlights: PCT Southern Terminus, The 1 Mile Sign, Mount San Jacinto, The "McDonald's Stop", Mount Baden Powell, the L.A. Aqueduct, Mojave Desert, Kennedy Meadows
Challenges: Heat, long water carries between sources, exposure, rattlesnakes, lower mileage hiking
Characteristics: Arid, exposed ridges, lots of wildflowers/cactuses, minimal amount of rain, can be windy in sections, lots of people beginning the trail, distinct flora and faunal (cacti, scorpions, etc)
The Sierra Nevada / Central California (~390 miles)
Highlights: glaciated peaks, thousands of alpine lakes and streams, 8 named passes over 11,000 feet, Forester Pass (PCT High Point), and new fauna such as marmots, coyotes, and black bear
Challenges: Steep climbs and descents at high altitude, snow, cold, water crossings, exposure, packs become heavier with added gear and longer food carries between resupply points. This section of trail is the most remote of the entire PCT, largely considered to be the most challenging section, and is also regarded as some of the most beautiful terrain on the planet
Characteristics: High altitude, alpine lakes and streams, cold, glacier-carved peaks, snow-packed trail, pine forests, tough terrain, remote
Northern California (~561 miles)
Highlights: Lassen Volcanic National Park, Halfway marker, Southern Cascade Range, Mount Shasta, Castle Crags, Trinity Alps, Burney Falls, “The Bridge of the Gods” (PCT Low Point)
Challenges: Many hikers experience mental fatigue at this point, there could be leftover snowpack depending on the year, can tend to be quite warm, arid, and exposed in certain sections
Characteristics: Lots of wildflowers, steaming fumaroles near Lassen Volcanic NP, volcanic rock and old lava fields, views of Mt. Shasta, complications from wildfires
Oregon (~492 miles)
Highlights: Crater Lake, Three Sisters Wilderness, Mt. Hood and the Timberline Lodge
Challenges: mosquitoes become abundant, logistical complications caused by wildfires
Characteristics: Cruise-y terrain, alpine meadows, glacial lakes
Washington (~505 miles)
Highlights Include: The Bridge of the Gods, Goat Rocks Wilderness, North Cascade mountain range, PCT Northern Terminus
Challenges: Overall trail fatigue, wet & cold, steep terrain
Characteristics: steep terrain, wet, humid, cold, snow, western larches, beautiful scenery
This is just some of the characteristics of the trail, so for more information visit https://www.pcta.org/
