Pacific Crest Trail

Pacific Crest Trail
Length	2,653 mi (4,270 km)[1]
Location	Mexico (border) / California / Oregon / Washington, US / British Columbia, Canada
Designation	National Scenic Trail
Trailheads	Campo, California Manning Park, British Columbia
Use	Hiking Horseback riding
Elevation change	489,000 ft (149,000 m)[2]
Highest point	Forester Pass, 13,153 ft (4,009 m)[3]
Lowest point	Cascade Locks, 140 ft (43 m)[4]
Months	Late April to Late September
Sights	Sierra Nevada (U.S.) Cascade Range
Hazards	Severe weather Dehydration Avalanches Falling Forest fires Landslides Volcanic ash (rare) Black bears Venomous snakes Hypothermia Mountain lions Diarrhea from water Lightning strike
Website	Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
Trail map

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, which lie 100 to 150 miles (160 to 240 km) east of the U.S. Pacific coast. The trail's southern terminus is next to the Mexico–United States border, just south of Campo, California, and its northern terminus is on the Canada–US border, upon which it continues unofficially to the Windy Joe Trail within Manning Park in British Columbia; it passes through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.

The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,653 mi (4,270 km) long^[1] and ranges in elevation from roughly 110 feet (34 m)^[7] above sea level near the Bridge of the Gods on the Oregon–Washington border to 13,153 feet (4,009 m)^[3] at Forester Pass in the Sierra Nevada. The route passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks.^[10] Its midpoint is near Chester, California (near Mt. Lassen), where the Sierra and Cascade mountain ranges meet.^[11] The overall elevation gain for the Pacific Crest Trail is approximately 489,000 ft (149,000 m).^[2]

It was designated a National Scenic Trail in 1968, although it was not officially completed until 1993.^[12] The PCT was conceived by Clinton Churchill Clarke in 1932.^[13] It received official status under the National Trails System Act of 1968.

The Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail form what is known as the Triple Crown of Hiking in the United States.^[14] The Pacific Crest Trail is also part of the 6,875-mile (11,065 km) Great Western Loop.

Route

The route is mostly through National Forest and protected wilderness. It also passes through seven national parks: Kings Canyon, Sequoia, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake, Mt. Rainier, and North Cascades. The trail avoids civilization and covers scenic and pristine mountainous terrain with few roads. It passes through the Laguna, Santa Rosa, San Jacinto, San Bernardino, San Gabriel, Liebre, Tehachapi, Sierra Nevada, and Klamath ranges in California, and the Cascade Range in California, Oregon, and Washington.

History

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) was inspired by the Appalachian Trail in the Eastern U.S. In 1926 Catherine T. Montgomery, an outdoorswoman from Bellingham, Washington, proposed that the Mountaineers build a trail through the mountains of the Western U.S. from Canada to Mexico.^[15][16] Montgomery's contributions to the initial concept of the PCT have only been uncovered in recent years, earning her the moniker "Mother of the Pacific Crest Trail".^[15]

Montgomery explained her idea to the mountaineer Joseph Hazard, and he raised it with Bellingham's Mount Baker Club the same day. Over the next couple years, the club worked with others throughout the Pacific Northwest, like the Mountaineers, to devise the trail. Hazard credited the Forest Service with providing early support for preparing the northernmost segment from Canada to the Columbia River.^[17] Fred. W. Cleator had led the Forest Service's design of the Skyline Trail through Oregon beginning in 1920 and planned an extension through Washington.^[18]

In 1932 Clinton C. Clarke, chairman of the Mountain League of L.A., organized the Pacific Crest Trail System Conference to unite outdoor groups in advocating for the trail. Clarke is known as the "Father of the Pacific Crest Trail" for this reason. The first conference included the Boy Scouts, YMCA, Sierra Club, Mountaineers, and many others, with Ansel Adams on the executive committee.^[18]

Clarke proposed to link the John Muir Trail, the Tahoe–Yosemite Trail (both in California), the Skyline Trail (in Oregon) and the Cascade Crest Trail (in Washington).^[12] He asked the Civilian Conservation Corps to build out connections between the trails.^[18] From 1935 through 1938, YMCA groups explored the 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of potential trail and planned a route, which has been closely followed by the modern PCT route.^[12] 40 groups of teenagers, led by Warren Rogers, logged their journeys between Mexico and Canada.^[18] Clarke remained president of the conference for 25 years, and Rogers eventually became its executive secretary.^[18]

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson defined the PCT and the Appalachian Trail with the National Trails System Act. The PCT was then constructed through cooperation between the federal government and volunteers organized by the Pacific Crest Trail Association. In 1993, the PCT was officially declared finished.^[12]

The Trust for Public Land has purchased and conserved more than 3,000 acres (12 km²) along the PCT in Washington.^[19] Consolidation of this land has allowed for better recreational access as well as greater ease to manage conservation lands.^[19]

A bicycle touring route has been developed to parallel the PCT on paved and unpaved roads.^[20][21]

Thru-hiking

Thru-hiking is a term used in referring to hikers who complete long-distance trails from end to end in a single trip. Thru-hiking is a long commitment, usually taking between four and six months, that requires thorough preparation and dedication. The Pacific Crest Trail Association estimates that it takes most hikers between six and eight months to plan, train, and get ready for their trips.^[22] It is estimated the average completion rate is around 14%.^[23]

While most hikers travel from the southern terminus at the Mexico–US border northward to Manning Park, British Columbia, some hikers prefer a southbound route. In a normal weather year, northbound hikes are most practical due to snow and temperature considerations. Additionally, some hiker services are seasonal and may be better timed for northbound hikers.^[24] If snowpack in the Sierra Nevada is high in early June and low in the Northern Cascades, some hikers may choose to 'flip-flop.' Flip-flopping can take many forms but often describes a process whereby a hiker begins at one end (on the PCT, usually the southern end) of the trail and then, at some point, like reaching the Sierra, 'flips' to the end of the trail at the Canada–US border and hikes southbound to complete the trail. However, it is not currently possible to legally cross the border in either direction on the trail.^[25][26]

Hikers also have to determine their resupply points. Resupply points are towns or post offices where hikers replenish food and other supplies such as cooking fuel. Hikers can ship packages to themselves at the U.S. Post Offices along the trail, resupply at general and grocery stores along the trail, or any combination of the two.^[27] The final major logistical step is to create an approximate schedule for completion. Thru hikers have to make sure they complete enough miles every day to reach the opposite end of the trail before weather conditions make sections impassable. For northbound thru-hikers, deep snow pack in the Sierra Nevada can prevent an early start. The timing is a balance between not getting to the Sierra too soon nor the Northern Cascades too late. Most hikers cover about 20 miles (32 km) per day.^[22]

In order to reduce their hiking time and thereby increase their chances of completing the trail, many hikers try to substantially reduce their pack weight. Since the creation of the Pacific Crest Trail there has been a large movement by hikers to get away from large heavy packs with a lot of gear. There are three general classifications for hikers: Traditional, Lightweight, and Ultralight.^[28][29]

Notable hikers

Before the PCT became an official trail, Martin Papendick was the first known person to hike across three states of the PCT in 1952.^[30] After being one of the first to finish the Appalachian Trail in 1951, Papendick hiked between July 4 and December 1, 1952, from British Columbia to the Mexico–US border over the crests of the mountains along the Pacific Coast, a feat he reported in a periodical under the title "Pacific Crest Trails".^[31]

On October 16, 1970, Eric Ryback, an 18-year-old student, completed the first PCT thru-hike. His personal congratulations came by telegram from Edward P. Cliff, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service.^[32] Ryback is credited, recognized, and has been honored by the Pacific Crest Trail Association as the official first thru-hiker of the entire trail.^[33] Ryback completed the Appalachian Trail in 1969 (as a 16-year-old); the Pacific Crest Trail in 1970; and a route approximating today's Continental Divide Trail in 1972.^[34] Ryback's 1971 book The High Adventure of Eric Ryback: Canada to Mexico on Foot focused public attention on the PCT. Ryback carried an 80-pound (36 kg) pack on his 1970 thru-hike. He had only five resupply packages on the entire trip and was loaded with 40 pounds (18 kg) of food at the start of each leg. He often ran out of food and foraged or went hungry.^[33] Ryback also helped the Forest Service lay out future plans for the PCT.^[35]

Ryback's claim is disputed. When the guidebook publisher Wilderness Press stated that Ryback had used motor transport in places along the PCT, Ryback sued for $3 million but withdrew the suit after Wilderness Press revealed statements from the people who claim to have picked up the young hiker along highways parallel to the 2,600-mile trail (4,200 km). Ryback is in Smithsonian's top 9 list of people Cheating Their Way to Fame though it notes that "the claims that Ryback 'cheated' are still doubted by some".^[36]

Richard Watson, who completed the trail on September 1, 1972,^[30] was often credited as the first PCT thru-hiker because Papendick was generally unknown and Ryback may have accepted rides. The first woman to complete the PCT was Mary Carstens, who finished the journey later in 1972, accompanied by Jeff Smukler.^[30]

The first person to thru-hike the entire PCT both ways in a single continuous round-trip was Scott Williamson, who completed the "yo-yo" circuit on his fourth attempt in November 2004. Williamson traveled a total of 5,300 miles (8,530 km) in 197 days, covering an average of 35 to 40 miles (56 to 64 km) per day when not in snow – an overall average of 27 miles (43 km) per day – wearing an extremely ultra-lightweight pack, which "without food, weighed about 8.5 pounds (3.9 kg)".^[37] Williamson then went on to complete a second round trip on November 28, 2006, cutting two weeks off his 2004 time.^[38]

In 2014, Olive McGloin (from Ireland) became the first woman to thru-hike the PCT both ways in a single continuous round-trip.^[39]

The youngest person to hike the trail is Christian Thomas Geiger, who at the age of 6 completed the trail with his parents Andrea Rego and Dion Pagonis.^[40] Christian, also known by his trail name Buddy Backpacker, was also the youngest person to hike the Appalachian Trail until 2020.^[41][42]

Other notable young hikers include Sierra Burror and Reed Gjonnes. Burror, who completed a continuous thru-hike of the trail in 2012 at the age of 9, is the youngest girl to thru-hike the trail. She completed her hike with her mother, Heather Burror.^[43][44][45] Gjonnes, who thru-hiked the trail in 2011 at age 11, went on to complete the Triple Crown of Hiking, becoming the youngest person ever to do so.^[46]

Teddi Boston hiked from Canada to Mexico on the PCT in 1976 at the age of 49. She was one of the first women to hike the trail alone.^[47]

An autobiographical account of a woman hiking a portion of the PCT alone in 1995 at age 26 was written by Cheryl Strayed. Her memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail was published in 2012 and reached #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list.^[48] Her hike is the subject of the 2014 film Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon.

The first two reported deaths on the Pacific Crest Trail were in November 1995, when thru-hikers Jane and Flicka Rodman were killed during a detour down California State Route 138 in Southern California, when they were struck by a motorist who lost control of his vehicle. They were less than 400 miles (640 km) from their goal of reaching the Mexico–US border.^[49][50]

The oldest person to thru-hike the trail is not fully established, with multiple competing claims.

Fastest known times

Self-supported

On August 7, 2013, Heather "Anish" Anderson of Bellingham, Washington, set the self-supported speed record. She completed the PCT in 60 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes,^[51] beating the previous record by almost 4 days.^[52] She documented this journey in her book Thirst.^[53] In 2018 she became the first woman to complete the Triple Crown of Hiking in a single calendar year.

Exactly nine years later, on August 7, 2022, Josh Perry improved upon the self-supported speed record, completing the PCT in 55 days, 16 hours and 54 minutes.^[54]

In 2023, Nick Folwer set a new self-supported record of 52 days, 9 hours and 18 minutes. While he was in the Sierra Nevada, Hurricane Hilary hit California, and he needed to spend 41 hours sheltering in a cave from the weather.^[55]

Supported

On August 10, 2014, Joseph McConaughy of Shoreline, Washington, set a new supported speed record and the overall fastest known time for the PCT. The distance was covered in 53 days, 6 hours, and 37 minutes.^[56][57][58] This surpassed the previous record of 59 days, 8 hours, 14 minutes,^{[52][59][60][61]} set by Josh Garret on August 8, 2013, by more than 6 days. Joe was supported by a team of three hikers.

McConaughy's record was broken on August 14, 2016, by Karel Sabbe, a 27-year-old dentist from Ghent, Belgium. He covered the distance in 52 days, 8 hours, and 25 minutes, averaging over 50 miles (80 km) a day and shaving almost a day (22 hours) off the previous record set by McConaughy.^[62][63] Sabbe was supported by his friend Joren Biebuyck.

On July 22, 2021, 37-year-old ultra-runner Timothy Olson broke Sabbe's record with a time of 51 days, 16 hours and 55 minutes, fifteen and a half hours faster than Sabbe's time. Olson was crewed by a small group of family and friends.^[64]

On August 26, 2023, Karel Sabbe took back his record with a time of 46 days, 12 hours and 56 minutes, more than five days faster than Olson's time.^[65]

Equestrian use

Don and June Mulford made the first verifiable equestrian Thru-Ride of the PCT in 1959.^[66] In that year the Pacific Crest Trail stretched a poorly-marked 2,400 miles (3,900 km) from Mexico to Canada. More concept than footpath, the trail was an oft-broken, high-ridge track disappearing regularly from map and terrain. On April 19, 1959, on an empty scrub sage plain seven miles east of Tijuana, with four horses, Don and June Mulford began their journey north to the Washington–Canada border. The Mulfords went to Hollywood for three months immediately after the ride and were featured on network television. June's old press book yields a half-dozen TV-Guide pages, and she recalls, "Art Linkletter was such a nice man. We appeared on his 'House Party' show and he had coffee with us afterward". High Road to Danger, a syndicated TV show, made an episode on their ride. Even after they had returned home to the Northwest, there was continued TV coverage. A January 1961 TV Guide records their appearance on Portland's KOIN Red Dunning Show. The Mulfords even made a 90-minute movie and showed it around 12 western states for 10 years.

The Murray family (Barry, Bernice, Barry Jr. and Bernadette) completed the trek on horseback on October 7, 1970.^[67]

Alterations and connections

In 2008, an agreement for realignment through Tejon Ranch in Southern California was reached.^[68] This realignment would relocate 37 miles (60 km) of the PCT from the Mojave Desert floor to the more scenic Tehachapi Mountains. While an agreement was reached, the realignment is a long-term project; many details remain to be determined, as well as an Optimal Location Review, a lengthy process through which the ideal path for the new section of the trail is specified.

Portland, Oregon's 40-Mile Loop proposes to extend the Springwater Corridor hiking and bicycling spur trail to connect the Pacific Crest Trail^[69] with the proposed Cazadero Trail.^[70] Plans are currently in progress to add a dedicated pedestrian/equestrian lane to the Bridge of the Gods across the Columbia River.^[71] Currently, PCT hikers and equestrians must cross the bridge walking in vehicle traffic lanes, a potential danger which the new lane will eliminate. The completion date for this project is unknown.

Permits

The Pacific Crest Trail can require several different permits.^[72] If thru-hiking, the only permits needed are the PCT Long-distance Permit and the California Fire Permit. The Long-distance Permit allows hikers the convenience of only having to get one permit to cover all the areas that they would otherwise need a local permit for.^[73] Local permits are required on many parts of the trail for people hiking less than 500 contiguous miles.^[74] The California Fire Permit allows the use of a camping stove or lantern. Campfires are allowed only on some parts of the PCT due to the high fire risk.^[75]

The Canada PCT entry permit allowed hikers to end their hike about 8 miles into Canada but was discontinued by the Canadian Border Services Agency as of January 31, 2025.^[76][77]

Notable locations

Pacific Crest Trail
Canada Washington, US 2652.6 mi 4268.9 km Monument 78 2648.8 mi 4262.8 km Pacific Northwest Trail 2635.5 mi 4241.4 km Pacific Northwest Trail 2622 mi 4220 km Harts Pass 2591.1 mi 4170 km SR 20 Rainy Pass 2571.9 mi 4139.1 km High Bridge 2464.1 mi 3965.6 km US 2 Stevens Pass BNSF Kendall Katwalk 2393.2 mi 3851.5 km I-90 Snoqualmie Pass 2323.5 mi 3739.3 km SR 410 Chinook Pass 2294.9 mi 3693.3 km US 12 White Pass 2277 mi 3664 km Goat Rocks 2228.9 mi 3587.1 km Forest Road 23 SR 14 BNSF 2146.9 mi 3455.1 km Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia River Washington Oregon Union Pacific I-84 / US 30 2097 mi 3375 km Timberline Lodge OR 35 Barlow Pass 2045.6 mi 3292.1 km Olallie Lake Resort 2000.9 mi 3220.1 km US 20 / OR 126 Santiam Pass 1995.1 mi 3210.8 km Big Lake Youth Camp 1983.8 mi 3192.6 km OR 242 McKenzie Pass 1907.9 mi 3070.5 km OR 58 Willamette Pass Union Pacific 1906.6 mi 3068.4 km Shelter Cove Resort 1847.8 mi 2973.7 km OR 138 Cascade Crest 1820.9 mi 2930.5 km OR 62 Mazama Village 1773.4 mi 2854 km OR 140 Fish Lake OR 66 Green Springs Mountain 1718.9 mi 2766.3 km I-5 Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad 1691.7 mi 2722.5 km Oregon California Donomore Cabin SR 96 1655.9 mi 2664.9 km Seiad Valley Klamath River 1599.7 mi 2574.5 km Etna Summit SR 3 1501.2 mi 2415.9 km I-5 Union Pacific Sacramento River McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park SR 89 1411.3 mi 2271.3 km SR 299 Burney 1373.4 mi 2210.3 km SR 44 Old Station 1350.1 mi 2172.8 km Drakesbad Guest Ranch 1323.2 mi 2129.5 km SR 36 Mid-way Post 1286.9 mi 2071.1 km SR 70 Feather River Belden Union Pacific 1195.4 mi 1923.8 km SR 49 Sierra City North Yuba River Peter Grubb Hut 1157.1 mi 1862.2 km I-80 Donner Summit Union Pacific Tahoe Rim Trail Tahoe Rim Trail 1092.3 mi 1757.9 km Echo Lake US 50 Tahoe Rim Trail SR 88 SR 4 1016.9 mi 1636.5 km SR 108 Sonora Pass Parsons Memorial Lodge 942.5 mi 1516.8 km SR 120 Tuolumne Meadows John Muir Trail 912.2 mi 1468 km Middle Fork San Joaquin River 906.7 mi 1459.2 km Reds Meadow 878.7 mi 1414.1 km VVR Ferry Trail 857.7 mi 1380.3 km Muir Trail Ranch 854.5 mi 1375.2 km South Fork San Joaquin River John Muir Memorial Shelter 801 mi 1289 km Woods Creek 788.9 mi 1269.6 km Kearsarge Pass Trail 767 mi 1234 km Crabtree Meadows John Muir Trail 745.3 mi 1199.4 km Trail Pass 702 mi 1130 km Kennedy Meadows 652 mi 1049 km SR 178 Walker Pass 566.5 mi 911.7 km SR 58 Tehachapi Pass Union Pacific Tehachapi Pass wind farm California Aqueduct SR 138 454.5 mi 731.4 km Agua Dulce 452.9 mi 728.9 km Vazquez Rocks Picnic Area 451.1 mi 726 km SR 14 444.5 mi 715.4 km Golden spike monument Metrolink 444.4 mi 715.2 km Santa Clara River 430.4 mi 692.7 km Messenger Flats 418.6 mi 673.7 km Mill Creek Fire Station 411 mi 661 km Fountainhead Spring 410.4 mi 660.5 km Fiddleneck Spring Silver Moccosin Trail 403.1 mi 648.7 km SR 2 Three Points Trailhead 401.1 mi 645.5 km 400.6 mi 644.7 km Camp Glenwood 398.8 mi 641.8 km 398 mi 641 km 395.2 mi 636 km Cooper Canyon Trail Camp 394 mi 634 km Burkhart Trail Burkhart Trail 390.2 mi 628 km 389.3 mi 626.5 km SR 2 386 mi 621 km Islip Saddle 383.9 mi 617.8 km Little Jimmy Campground 383.7 mi 617.5 km Little Jimmy Spring 383.5 mi 617.2 km Windy Gap Trail 380.5 mi 612.4 km Dawson Saddle Trail 377.9 mi 608.2 km Mount Baden Powell 375.7 mi 604.6 km Lamel Spring 374 mi 602 km Vincent Gulch Divide 372.2 mi 599 km Jackson Lake Trail 369.4 mi 594.5 km SR 2 Inspiration Point 364.4 mi 586.4 km Guffy 363.54 mi 585.06 km Acorn Trail 363.2 mi 584.5 km Jodi Zaitchick and Jerry Duran Memorial 362.5 mi 583.4 km Baldy Trail 357.2 mi 574.9 km Gobbler's Knob 343.1 mi 552.2 km Union Pacific 342.9 mi 551.8 km BNSF 342.8 mi 551.7 km BNSF 342 mi 550 km I-15 Cajon Pass SR 138 Deep Creek Rainbow Bridge Deep Creek Hot Springs Holcomb Crossing 294.91 mi 474.61 km Hawes Peak Trail 294.7 mi 474.3 km Bench Trail Camp 285.6 mi 459.6 km Little Bear Spring Trail Camp 277.7 mi 446.9 km Cougar Crest Trail 268.6 mi 432.3 km Doble Trail Camp 266.1 mi 428.2 km SR 18 256.2 mi 412.3 km Arrastre Trail Camp / Deer Spring 246.4 mi 396.5 km Coon Creek Cabin 240 mi 386 km to San Gorgonio Mountain 239.9 mi 386.1 km Mission Springs 228 mi 367 km 227.2 mi 365.6 km Mission Creek 226.2 mi 364 km 218.6 mi 351.8 km Whitewater Preserve Trail 217.7 mi 350.4 km Canyon Loop Trail 213.4 mi 343.4 km to Mesa Wind Farm 209.5 mi 337.2 km I-10 BNSF 194 mi 312 km West Fork Snow Creek 190.7 mi 306.9 km Black Mountain Road 190.5 mi 306.6 km Fuller Ridge Trailhead 185.7 mi 298.9 km Seven Pines Trail 185.1 mi 297.9 km Marion Mountain Trail 183.4 mi 295.2 km Strawberry Junction Deer Springs Trail 181.2 mi 291.6 km Wellman Divide Trail to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 179.4 mi 288.7 km Saddle Junction Devil's Slide Trail 177.3 mi 285.3 km Tahquitz Valley Trail 168.6 mi 271.3 km Spitler Peak Trail 166.5 mi 268 km Forbes Ranch Trail 151.9 mi 244.5 km SR 74 139.5 mi 224.5 km Guzzler cistern 111.4 mi 179.3 km SR 79 Warner Springs 109.5 mi 176.2 km SR 79 96.1 mi 154.7 km Billy Goat's cave 77 mi 124 km SR 78 Scissors Crossing 52.6 mi 84.7 km Pioneer Mail 48.7 mi 78.4 km Noble Canyon Trail 46.5 mi 74.8 km Foster Point 41.5 mi 66.8 km Burnt Ranchera 32 mi 51 km Fred Canyon 26.6 mi 42.8 km I-8 24.1 mi 38.8 km Cottonwood Creek Bridge 20 mi 32 km Lake Morena 3 mi 5 km San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway 2.3 mi 3.7 km SR 94 0 Campo California, US Mexico
Key
Trail Register

The following notable locations are found along or adjacent to the route of the Pacific Crest Trail. They are listed from south to north to correspond with the itinerary typically followed by thru-hikers to take advantage of the best seasonal weather conditions. The numbers in parentheses correspond to the numbers on the PCT overview map above.

California

• Campo, California, near the trail's southern terminus at the Mexico–United States border
• Lake Morena
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (41)
• Eagle Rock (near Warner Springs)
• Cleveland National Forest (40)
• Crystal Lake Recreation Area
  • Windy Gap Trail (Angeles National Forest)
• Mount San Jacinto State Park (39)
• San Gorgonio Pass and Interstate 10 near Cabazon
• Big Bear Lake (37)
• Cajon Pass (36)
• Angeles National Forest (35)
• Vasquez Rocks
• Agua Dulce
• Tehachapi Pass
• Walker Pass
• Owens Peak Wilderness (34)
• South Sierra Wilderness (34)
• Golden Trout Wilderness (34)
• Kings Canyon National Park (33)
  • Forester Pass, highest point on the trail
• John Muir Wilderness (31)
• Ansel Adams Wilderness (30)
  • Devils Postpile National Monument
• Yosemite National Park (29)
  • Tuolumne Meadows
• Sonora Pass, Ebbetts Pass, Carson Pass
• Desolation Wilderness
• Lassen National Forest (22)
  • Lassen Volcanic National Park (23)
• McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (21)
• Shasta-Trinity National Forest (19)
  • Castle Crags Wilderness (20)
• Klamath Mountains
  • Trinity Alps Wilderness
  • Russian Wilderness
  • Marble Mountain Wilderness

Oregon

• Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument (17)
• Rogue River National Forest (16) and Winema National Forest (14)
  • Sky Lakes Wilderness
• Crater Lake National Park (15)
  • Crater Lake
• Umpqua National Forest (13)
  • Mount Thielsen
• Willamette National Forest (11) and Deschutes National Forest (12)
  • Diamond Peak Wilderness
  • Waldo Lake
  • Three Sisters Wilderness
  • Dee Wright Observatory and McKenzie Pass
  • Mount Washington Wilderness
  • Mount Jefferson Wilderness
• Mount Hood National Forest (9)
  • Olallie Scenic Area
  • Warm Springs Indian Reservation (10)
  • Timberline Lodge
  • Mount Hood Wilderness
    • Lolo Pass
• Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (8)
  • Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness (formerly the Columbia Wilderness)
  • Cascade Locks, Oregon, lowest point on the trail
  • Bridge of the Gods (links Oregon and Washington, crossing the Columbia River)

Washington

• Gifford Pinchot National Forest (7)
  • Indian Heaven Wilderness
  • Mount Adams Wilderness
    • Mount Adams
  • Goat Rocks Wilderness
    • Old Snowy Mountain
  • White Pass
• Mount Rainier National Park (6)
  • Chinook Pass
• Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (5)
  • Norse Peak Wilderness
  • Alpine Lakes Wilderness
    • Kendall Katwalk
  • Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
  • Glacier Peak Wilderness
    • Glacier Peak
• Snoqualmie Pass
• Stevens Pass
• Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
  • Stehekin, Washington, last town along the trail, 10 miles (16 km) from PCT by NPS bus
• North Cascades National Park (2)
• Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest (3)
• Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail
• Boundary Monument 78, at the Canada–United States border

British Columbia, Canada

• E. C. Manning Provincial Park (1), the northern terminus of the trail.^[78] Until 2025, northbound hikers with a Canada PCT Entry Permit were allowed to cross the border to exit at nearby Manning Park Resort.^[79] The Canadian Border Services Agency discontinued this program in late January 2025.^[80][81][82]

Location coordinates

PCT route maps are on Google Maps,^[83] some with some points of interest.

Point	Coordinates (links to map & photo sources)	Notes
United States – Mexico border	32°35′23″N 116°28′07″W / 32.5898°N 116.4685°W / 32.5898; -116.4685 (United States – Mexico border)
Forester Pass	36°41′39″N 118°22′19″W / 36.6941°N 118.3720°W / 36.6941; -118.3720 (Forester Pass)	highest point
Midpoint	40°12′48″N 121°21′17″W / 40.2132°N 121.3546°W / 40.2132; -121.3546 (Midpoint)
Oregon – California border	42°00′14″N 122°54′36″W / 42.0038°N 122.9100°W / 42.0038; -122.9100 (Oregon – California border)
Columbia River (Washington – Oregon border)	45°39′15″N 121°55′04″W / 45.6543°N 121.9179°W / 45.6543; -121.9179 (Columbia River (Washington – Oregon border))	lowest point
Canada – United States border	49°00′00″N 120°47′55″W / 49.0000°N 120.7987°W / 49.0000; -120.7987 (Canada – United States border)

40°12′48″N 121°21′17″W / 40.2132°N 121.3546°W / 40.2132; -121.3546

See also

Other Triple Crown trails

• Appalachian Trail
• Continental Divide Trail

Connected National Scenic Trail

• Pacific Northwest Trail

Connected National Historic Trails

• California Trail
• Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
• Old Spanish Trail
• Oregon Trail
• Pony Express National Historic Trail

Connected U.S. long-distance trails

• High Sierra Trail
• John Muir Trail
• Mark O. Hatfield Memorial Trail
• Oregon Skyline Trail
• Tahoe–Yosemite Trail
• Tahoe Rim Trail
• Timberline Trail

Long-distance routes

• Sierra High Route

References

1. Halfmile's Pacific Crest Trail Notes - Ashland, OR to Manning Park, BC (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on March 9, 2016
2. "Crater Lake: Reflections Visitor Guide" (PDF). National Park Service. 2022. p. 4.
3. Sources disagree on Forester Pass's elevation. The Forest Service claims 13,180 feet (4,017 m)^[8] while the USGS says 13,153 feet (4,009 m),^[9] but topographic maps showing 36°41′39″N 118°22′19″W / 36.6941°N 118.3720°W / 36.6941; -118.3720 indicate a little less than 13,123 feet (4,000 m).
4. "Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail". USFS. Archived from the original on January 16, 2010.
5. "PCT data".
6. "USGS 1 Meter 10 x58y506 WA_FEMAHQ_2018_D18 - ScienceBase-Catalog".
7. The bridge deck itself lies at ~180 feet above sea level, with the water below at ~77 feet. North of the bridge, the trail declines slightly in elevation to about 108 ft near Wauna Lake Road, about a mile past the bridge. The Eagle Creek Trail, a popular alternate route on the Oregon side, reaches a lower elevation of 80 feet (24 m). This is according to PCT's official trail data^[5] used on a 1m DEM from USGS/FEMA^[6]
8. "Pacific Crest Trail – Central California Online Map and Guide". USFS. April 26, 2005. Archived from the original on May 25, 2006.
9. "Forester Pass". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
10. "Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail." Parks Directory of the United States. 2004 ed.
11. Backpacker Magazine. "Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 31". Trimble Outdoors. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
12. "History of the Pacific Crest Trail". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010.
13. Gally, Sid. "The Pacific Crest Trail had its roots in Pasadena". Pasadena Star News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015.
14. Berger, Karen (2001). Hiking the Triple Crown: How to Hike America's Longest Trails : Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail. Seattle: Mountaineers Press. ISBN 978-0-89886-760-2.
15. "Meet the mother of the Pacific Crest Trail: Catherine Montgomery". Pacific Crest Trail Association. May 14, 2017.
16. "Mossback's Northwest: The woman behind the Pacific Crest Trail". Cascade PBS. November 10, 2023.
17. Schnaiberg, Lynn (July 17, 2025). "Catherine Montgomery, "Mother of the Pacific Crest Trail," is inducted into the Northwest Women's Hall of Fame on March 21, 2010". HistoryLink.
18. "The history of the Pacific Crest Trail". Pacific Crest Trail Association.
19. "Pacific Crest Scenic Trail". The Trust for Public Land.
20. Bil Paul (October 1990). Pacific Crest Bicycle Trail. Bittersweet Publishing Company. ISBN 0-931255-06-6.
21. "Sierra Cascades | Adventure Cycling Route Network". Adventure Cycling Association. November 19, 2015.
22. "Thru-hiker FAQ". Pacific Crest Trail Association.
23. Murphy, Jen (July 18, 2022). "Go for a hike - for a few months". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones.
24. Mitchell, Jackie (2017). Yogi's Pacific Crest Trail Handbook 2017-2018.
25. Wilson, Kimberly (July 2, 2010). "Mind the border: Feds warn Pacific Crest Trail hikers crossing from Canada to U.S." The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013.
26. https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/permits/canada-pct-entry-permit/
27. "Pacific Crest Trail Resupply Points". PlanYourHike.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011.
28. Jardine, Ray (2000). Beyond Backpacking: Ray Jardine's Guide to Lightweight Hiking. LaPine, OR: AventureLore. ISBN 978-0-9632359-3-0.
29. "Ultralight Backpacking: Have You Considered It?". hikingspree.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017.
30. Schifrin, Ben; Schaffer, Jeffrey P; Jenkins, Ruby Johnson (2003). The Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California. Wilderness Press. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-89997-316-6.
31. Papendick, Martin. "Pacific Crest Trails". Appalachia. XXVIII. Appalachian Mountain Club, 1953: 374–376.
32. "Ryback Returns" (PDF). Pcta.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015.
33. "Fun Facts". Pacific Crest Trail Association. Archived from the original on August 21, 2012.
34. "Medals for Miles" (PDF). Pcta.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015.
35. "Muir Trail Story". Mchalepacks.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2015.
36. Alastair Bland (April 17, 2013). "Cheating Their Way to Fame". smithsonian.com.
37. "Hiker Completes First Round-Trip of Pacific Crest Trail". Outside Magazine. November 18, 2004. Archived from the original on December 4, 2004.
38. "A solo accomplishment is appreciated by many". San Diego Union-Tribune. December 2, 2006. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012.
39. "A walk on the wild side: meet the first woman to YoYo the Pacific Crest Trail". Irish Times. Archived from the original on January 25, 2015.
40. "Youngest PCT Thru-Hiker". Archived from the original on February 28, 2016.
41. "Meet Buddy Backpacker, The 5 Year Old Thru-Hiker - The Trek". appalachiantrials.com. March 2, 2014. Archived from the original on November 13, 2016.
42. "Kindergarten Can Wait: Buddy Backpacker, 5-Year-Old Thru-Hiker". Archived from the original on October 10, 2016.
43. "Nine-year-old Monkey completes the PCT". Pacific Crest Trail Association. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
44. "An Interview with "Monkey"". Archived from the original on February 20, 2016.
45. Burror, Heather (March 29, 2014). "Adventures on the Pacific Crest Trail". Inyo Register. p. 15.
46. Zach Urness, (Salem, Ore.) Statesman Journal (October 27, 2013). "Ore. girl, 13, youngest to claim hiking 'Triple Crown'". Usatoday.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
47. Martinez, A., KPCC Take Two (August 3, 2015). "Teddi Boston recalls historic solo walk on the Pacific Crest Trail". scpr.org. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
48. Taylor, Ihsan. "Best Sellers - The New York Times". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012.
49. "Jane and Flicka Rodman". Pacific Crest Trail Association. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015.
50. "Sierra hikers remembered in trek by family, friends". The Las Vegas Sun. August 18, 1997. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015.
51. Williams, Doug (September 3, 2013). "Records set on Pacific Coast Trail". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015.
52. "Pacific Crest Trail (CA, OR, WA)". Fastest Known Time. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015.
53. Anderson, Heather (2019). Thirst : 2600 miles to home. Seattle, Washington. ISBN 9781680512366. OCLC 1055681514.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
54. "Pacific Crest Trail (CA, OR, WA) | Fastest Known Time". fastestknowntime.com. July 22, 2021.
55. "Nick Fowler - Pacific Crest Trail (CA, OR, WA) - 2023-09-06 | Fastest Known Time". fastestknowntime.com. July 16, 2023.
56. "Seattle Runner Smashes Speed Record For Full Length of Pacific Crest Trail". Northwest Public Radio. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014.
57. "55 miles a day: Blistering pace for hiker seeking Pacific Crest record". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014.
58. "Run For Colin". Runforcolin.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015.
59. "PCT speed record is shattered twice". Pacific Crest Trail Association. August 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015.
60. "Vegan Hiker Sets New Record On Pacific Crest Trail". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015.
61. "Man, woman set records on Pacific Crest Trail". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015.
62. "Karel Sabbe Claims New Supported PCT Speed Record - The Trek". appalachiantrials.com. August 17, 2016. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016.
63. "How a Dentist from Belgium Clipped a Day off the PCT Thru-Hike Record - REI Co-op Journal". REI Co-op Journal. October 6, 2016. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017.
64. Potter, Alex (July 23, 2021). "Timothy Olson Sets the Men's Supported Pacific Crest Trail FKT". iRunFar.
65. "An ultrarunner just smashed the Pacific Crest Trail speed record, hiking 57 miles per day". San Francisco Chronicle. August 26, 2023.
66. Mann, Barney (December 2009). "Giving Trail History Its Due: The 1959 Thru-Ride of Don and June Mulford" (PDF). PCTA Communicator.
67. Murray, Barry (September 3, 1971). "Twenty-five hundred miles on horseback". Life Magazine: 60–69.
68. "PCT alignment through Tejon Ranch a big step closer - Pacific Crest Trail Association". May 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016.
69. "40-Mile Loop map" (PDF). 40-Mile Loop Land Trust. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2009.
70. "Cazadero Trail". Metro (Oregon). Archived from the original on August 7, 2015.
71. PortofCascadeLocks. "Bridge of the Gods Pedestrian Lane". Port of Cascade Locks.
72. "Permits for the Pacific Crest Trail". Pacific Crest Trail Association.
73. "PCT Long-distance Permits". Pacific Crest Trail Association.
74. "Local permit areas on the Pacific Crest Trail". Pacific Crest Trail Association.
75. "California Campfire Permit". Pacific Crest Trail Association.
76. "Canada PCT Entry Permit". Pacific Crest Trail Association.
77. Floro, Kelly (January 27, 2025). "PCT Thru-Hikers Will No Longer Be Able To Hike Into Canada: Canada PCT Entry Program Terminated". The Trek.
78. "Getting to and from the Northern Terminus". Pacific Crest Trail Association. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024.
79. "Canada PCT Entry Permit". Pacific Crest Trail Association. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024.
80. Haskel, Jack "Found" (January 27, 2025). "Travel across the U.S./Canada border no longer allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail". Pacific Crest Trail Association.
81. Skylis, Mary Beth “Mouse” (January 27, 2025). "Canada Will No Longer Let Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Cross its Border". Backpacker.
82. Kurjata, Andrew; Baker, Rafferty (January 27, 2025). "Canada closes border between B.C.-U.S. crossing at Pacific Crest Trail". CBC News.
83. "Pacific Crest Trail". Google My Maps. June 2, 2015.

External links

• Pacific Crest Trail Association – Non-profit that maintains and promotes the trail, and provides advice to hikers
• Postholer.Com – An extensive source of PCT information, journals, Google trail maps, printed maps, data book and more.
• PlanYourHike.Com Archived February 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine – A website dedicated to helping hikers plan their Pacific Crest Trail thru hikes.
• Trailjournals.com – PCT Photos & 1,000+ Pacific Crest Trail Journals
• Pacific Crest Trail: A Ride to Remember Documentary produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting
• Islands In The Sky: Tales From The Pacific Crest Trail – KCET Covers the PCT
• Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - BLM page