The Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is one of the most scenic trails in the country. In fact, it is also known as the "Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail".
The PCT extends from Mexico to Canada. While this straight line distance is about 1,000 miles, the trail extends for 2, 650 miles zigzagging through the deserts, over the passes and across the mountains of California, Oregon and Washington State.The elevations vary from near sea level (180 feet) to over 13,000 feet.
The PCT is one of three major trails in the country. Of the other two the Continental Divide Trail is the longest at 3,100 miles. It also goes from Mexico to Canada crossing five western states. The shortest is the Appalachian Trail which crosses 14 states, from Georgia to Maine and is 2,175 miles long.
Hike the Pacific Crest Trail
To hike the entire PCT will take at least four months. That entails an average of about 20 miles per day. If snow is encountered in the higher elevations your daily average will drop considerably. About 300 people attempt to hike the entire trail every year. There are no statistics on how many actually finish it. Every year thousands of hikers will do sections that vary from a day hike up to several weeks long.
Lately, there have been a few cyclists attempt it. This will probably increase in the future. Equestrians are also found on some sections although horses are banned in some places.
There are many places in all three states where you can start and finish a trek for everything from a simple overnighter up to weeks at a time. Every small segment has its own particular beauty and different challenges. Some hikers will eventually cover the entire trail in this manner, one segment at a time. Most just go to the areas that they will enjoy the most.
Goodbye Civilization?
Considering the urban nature of the West Coast the PCT manages to avoid civilization pretty well. The trail mostly travels through National Forests and protected wilderness areas.
Along the way, hikers encounter almost 1,000 lakes of all sizes, 60 major mountain passes, 24 National Forests and find 19 major canyons. You will also hike through 7 National Parks and find 3 National Monuments.
For as much as the PCT avoids civilization, it is never possible to get away from it all. There are many places where the trail will cross Interstate highways, State Highways and other lesser roads. These become an advantage to you because they become natural resupply points and for those hiking it in sections they become natural ending/starting points.
Shorter Hiking Trips
Many people simply traverse smaller sections of the PCT. Most of us are just weekenders who pick a small section that intrigues us and we have a great time.
However, many are week long and sometimes longer backpackers. There are many places to join the trail in every state and also depart from it without having to return to your starting point. Each offers its own unique scenery.
Read the trail descriptions in each section and decide for yourselves where to go. Each one will offer you a different wilderness experience. We have attempted to identify every major and secondary highway crossing, National Park, Regional park, nearby towns and other landmarks for you to judge how far to travel and use for either resupply points or as a jumping off or ending point.
It is not possible here to precisely locate exactly where each trail segment crosses a specific road, or even where it is within a National Park. But if you obtain USGS Topographical Maps of the area you wish to hike you can do this for yourselves. You will need to have these maps and a compass on the trail with you anyway. The topographical maps will also offer you some idea of the difficulty you might encounter in each section. You know best your capabilities and rate of hiking to gage the time it will take to cover the distance you choose.
If you are hiking without outside assistance that provides resupply support for longer treks, you can mail yourself supplies. Visit the Pacific Crest Trail Association at www.pcta.org for detailed information.
Permits
Whatever section you travel over, you will need permits. Permits are required in all wilderness areas, National Parks, and other restricted areas along the PCT.
If you are embarking on a short trip, you can obtain a permit from the agency on which your PCT trip originates. If you are going to do 500 or more miles up to the entire trail please see www.pcta.org for information. They will arrange for a “Thru-Permit” for all areas you plan to hike. If you are going to do this regularly, I suggest you join the organization. If not, at least donate to them for the fine work that they provide for us all.
Suggested Segments
The California section takes you from Mexico to Oregon through the scenic deserts, mountains and high passes. You will encounter vast stretches of chaparral close to the desert floor and will be hiking in hot weather.
As you ascend to the higher altitudes there will be near freezing temperatures.
Hikers will encounter the highest mountain, the longest wilderness section and the deepest canyon in the Continental US.
You will also travel over the highest point on the entire trail (Forester Pass, elev. 13,180) before entering fabulous Yosemite National Park. There is also a 200 mile section that never crosses any road or highway.
In the Oregon section of the trail you will encounter mostly forested country. It is probably the easiest section of the entire trail to hike as the elevation gains are not steep. Strong hikers will make good time walking through spectacular forests. One of the most attractive places on the trail is Crater Lake. This is the deepest lake in the nation and one of the deepest in the world. Not far away is Mount Hood. This is an 11,000 foot high mountain and is still an active volcano.
For those who try the Washington section you will find the spectacular Northern Cascades range. This section of the PCT is as spectacular as parts of Central California and the Sierra Nevada mountainous. Typical of Washington State weather patterns it changes quickly. Be prepared for wet weather on most any day.
All three segments are described starting from the southern most point in each state. If your desire is to travel in the other direction, I don't believe you will have much trouble reversing the information.
| Califonia PCT |