An overview of Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) was designated a National Scenic Trail in 1968, even though the ambitious project wasn't completed until 1993. The National Scenic Trail designation means the entirety of the 2,663 mile trail is protected by the federal government under the National Trail System Act of 1968. There are ten other National Scenic Trails which were established both before and after this protecting act.

This is an overview of the PCT from a Forest Service brochure.

The PCT travels from the US-Mexico border town of Campo, California, North through all of California, Oregon, and Washington. Then it finishes in Manning Park, British Columbia, just 8 miles over the Canadian border.

Click here to view a great interactive map of the trail.

Even though the trail boasts 420,880 feet of elevation gain (79.7 vertical miles), it is not as steep as it's Eastern counterpart the Appalachian Trail (AT). The AT is about 500 miles shorter, but with 18 miles more vertical gain.  The reason for this difference is due to the fact that the PCT is graded for horses. Equestrians are still able to ride along the entirety of the trail along with hikers.

To thru-hike a trail is to travel it's whole length in a single season. The typical season for a PCT thru-hiker is from April to the end of September. Although this is the peak hiking season, it is still abundant with challenges.

Going northbound from Campo, the first 702 miles run through the Mojave Desert. I plan on starting my hike on May 11th. During the month of May temperatures often hit 100°F, and reach highs of 110℉. On top of that, this section's water sources are very spread out at times, forcing hikers to carry enough water for gaps up to about 33 miles.  It's for these reasons that I am most anxious about this section.

Following the desert comes the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It's here that the highest point on the trail is crossed on Forester pass (13,425ft), and also were many take the 7 mile detour to hike Mt. Whitney; the highest peak in the continental United States at 14,505 ft.

Mt Whitney (14,505ft) shrouded in clouds. 

Hikers through this section need to ford rivers, traverse snowy slopes, and endure the wrath of hordes of mosquitoes. On the brighter side, this area also holds some of the largest expanses of beautiful, pristine mountain wilderness in the country.

In fact, 54% of the entire PCT goes through 48 different wilderness areas. The trail also passes through 6 National Parks, 3 National Monuments, 5 state parks, 7 Bureau of Land Management areas, 25 National Forests, and 57 major mountain passes!

The PCT logo.

The northern portion of the trail goes through the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington. This is were a little rain is more common, and snow storms become an issue in October. That is why most thru-hikers aim to be off the trail by the beginning of October. Any one who has snowshoed can tell you that snow travel is easily twice as hard as normal walking.

The Pacific Crest Trail Association has much more information on every aspect of the trail, if you are interested.