What is the PCT?
The Pacific Crest Trail runs for approximately 2,660* miles from Campo, California on the Mexican border to the Pasayten Wilderness in Washington on the Canadian border. And if the Canadian authorities relax a little bit, hikers this year may even be able to end their hikes in Manning Park in British Columbia where most northbound thru-hikers have traditionally concluded their journeys.
The PCT is one of 11 national scenic trails and, along with the Appalachian Trail (2,190 miles) and the Continental Divide Trail (3,100 miles), makes up one leg of the Triple Crown of American thru-hiking.
It passes through three states, seven national parks, twenty-five national forests, and one region that covers parts of Oregon and California, but would rather it did not.
*The trail has traditionally been credited as being 2,653 miles but some trail maintenance over the last year has the distance closer to 2,660 miles. But who’s counting?
The trail is generally considered to be made up of five sections:
The Dessert - The first 700 miles of the trail travels along a number of smaller mountain ranges in Southern California from Campo at the Mexican border to Kennedy Meadows South, the gateway to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. With all the rain and snow this year, I’ve been told to expect more water than usual in this arid section as well as an excellent display of wild flowers.
The Sierras - The next 500 miles are some of the wildest and most challenging of the trail. It includes some of the largest elevation gains, climbing quickly to over 10,000 feet from Kennedy Meadows and remaining over 9,000 feet for much of the next 400 miles. It includes Forester Pass, the highest point on the PCT at 13,153 feet and a possible side trip to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States. In a high snow year the travel can be arduous.
Northern California - In this 550-mile section the Sierras yield to the Cascades as hikers pass the PCT mid-point and begin to push for higher mileage days to get ahead of potential wild fires and reach the Northern Terminus ahead of snowy weather.
Oregon - The 400+ miles of Oregon are generally considered to be some of the easiest of the trail with less elevation gain. This section also contains the lowest point on the PCT, The Bridge of the Gods at the Oregon-Washington border at 180 feet.
Washington - Although the Northern Cascades of Washington sit at lower elevation than the Sierras, this wild 500-mile section has over 110,000 feet of elevation gain, nearly double that of the Sierras. It also contains some of the most beautiful areas of the entire trail.