Pacific Crest Trail side quests are objectives PCT hikers can choose to accomplish during their hikes, but that don't need to be completed to finish a PCT thru-hike. Before beginning a Pacific Crest Trail hike - or perhaps any thru-hike - it's common for would-be hikers to spend vast amounts of
New Northern California PCT Resupply Stop: Regeneration Base Camp
Pacific Crest Trail hikers have a new option for resupply in Northern California at Regeneration Base Camp. Regeneration Base Camp can be accessed via Scott Mountain Summit (map) on Highway 3 at PCT northbound mile 1561.3 / southbound mile 1093.9 (according to FarOut). It's located north of
New Bear Canister Regulations in Desolation Wilderness
The Forest Service has introduced new food storage regulations in Desolation Wilderness requiring overnight users to now carry "a canister designed to prevent access by bears." Simply put, bear canisters are now required in Desolation Wilderness. This impacts everyone recreating in Desolation
Trans-Catalina Trail Backpacking Guide
The Trans-Catalina Trail runs the length of Catalina Island and is a popular backpacking trail just off the coast of Southern California. At around 38.5 mi / 62 km, the trail can be hiked quickly or at a more leisurely pace - with several alternates and detours available to anyone looking for a bit
Running the Trans-Catalina Trail in a Day
The Trans-Catalina Trail crosses Catalina Island and is a popular and accessible multi-day backpacking trip. One of the most challenging parts of backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail? Getting permits for the campsites. Most of Catalina Island is managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, including
Cactus to Clouds (C2C) Hiking Guide
Cactus to Clouds (C2C) is an 18.78 mi / 30.23 km hike from the Palm Springs Art Museum at just 481 ft / 147 m above sea level, up to the 10,833 ft / 3,302 m summit of Mount San Jacinto, and then back down from the summit to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The hike begins in Santa Rosa and San
Southern Sierra High Route (SoSHR) Backpacking Guide
The Southern Sierra High Route (SoSHR) is a 100 mi / 160 km route through California's Sierra Nevada that runs parallel to (and sometimes overlaps with) the John Muir Trail (JMT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It is commonly referred to as a more rugged JMT since a large part of the SoSHR is
Forester Pass Guide: Approaches, Crossing, and Snow
Forester Pass, the 13,153 ft / 4,009 m pass named for the United States Forest Service workers who "discovered" it, is the highest point on the Pacific Crest Trail and is the first Sierra pass encountered by northbound Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) thru-hikers (and the final pass crossed by southbound