Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is one of the great long-distance trails of the world. It connects Mexico to Canada via a 2,660 mile / 4,280 km footpath across the Western United States.

Thru-hikers, those hiking the entire trail, face five distinct sections: the Desert, the Sierra, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Every year, would-be thru-hikers begin at one border or the other (usually in the south) to hunt for border-to-border glory and more importantly, for themselves (or at least their spirit animal).

This page is dedicated to helping everyone curious about what awaits them (or their “crazy friend/relative”) on the PCT. If you have any questions, be sure to get in touch! And try not to die out there.

• Location: California, Oregon, Washington (USA), British Columbia (Canada)
• Length: 2,663 mi (4,286 km)
• Time Zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8)
• Southern Terminus: Campo, California
• Northern Terminus: Manning Park, British Columbia
• Highest Point: Forester Pass, 13,153 ft (4,009 m)
• Lowest Point: Cascade Locks, 140 ft (43 m)
• Elevation Change: 420,880 ft (128,284 m)
• Use: Pedestrian & Equestrian
• Drinking Age: 21 (unenforced)
• Drinking In Public: Go for it!
• Drinking Tap Water: At your own discretion
• Flushing Toilet Paper: Pack it out!

• The Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide
• The Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Survey
• The Ultimate Pacific Crest Trail Packing List
• The Pacific Crest Trail Resupply Guide
• 17 Things Scarier Than Bears On The Pacific Crest Trail
• Coping With Readjustment And Thoughts Of Suicide
• The Thru-Hiker Superiority Complex

• 2019: PCT Hiker Survey
• 2018: PCT Hiker Survey
• 2018: PCT Gear Guide
• 2018: PCT Resupply Guide
• 2017: PCT Hiker Survey
• 2017: PCT Gear Guide
• 2017: PCT Resupply Guide
• 2017: PCT Regret And Advice
• 2016: PCT Hiker Survey
• 2016: PCT Gear Guide
• 2016: PCT Resupply Guide
• 2016: PCT Hiker Breakdown
• 2015: PCT Hiker Survey
• 2014: PCT Hiker Survey
• 2013: PCT Hiker Survey

Pacific Crest Trail Apps

• Must-Have Apps For Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail
• App Review: Guthook's PCT Guide
• App Review: Halfmile's PCT App

Pacific Crest Trail Books

• Hikertrash: Life On The Pacific Crest Trail
• Pacific Crest Trials: A Psychological and Emotional Guide to Successfully Thru-Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

• The Best Pacific Crest Trail Resources
• 9 Things To Remember Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail
• How Much Does It Cost To Hike The Pacific Crest Trail?
• Physical Preparation For The Pacific Crest Trail
• How Long Does It Take To Hike The Pacific Crest Trail?
• Hiking Solo vs. Hiking Non-Solo
• North Or South – Which Way To Hike The Pacific Crest Trail
• Your Pacific Crest Trail Plans Are Useless
• The PCT: Where I Went Terribly Wrong

• PCT Class of 2018 Survey: Resupply Guide
• PCT Class of 2017 Survey: Resupply Guide
• PCT Class of 2016 Survey: Resupply Guide
• Resupply Boxes (Food On The PCT)
• The Thru-Hiker Diet: Eating On The PCT
• The Kennedy Meadows To Vermilion Valley Resort (VVR) PCT Resupply
• Stoves And Cooking On The Pacific Crest Trail
• Going Stoveless On The Pacific Crest Trail
• The Ultimate Trail Mix Recipe
• The Hiker Food Formula
• The Currency Of The Pacific Crest Trail

• Trail Angels and Trail Magic
• The “Hiker” Adjective
• Being Homeless In Town
• Hitchhiking On The Pacific Crest Trail
• 2,600 Miles of PCT Small Talk
• Trail Names On The Pacific Crest Trail
• The Thru-Hiker Superiority Complex

• The Pacific Crest Trail: Two Months Out
• The Pacific Crest Trail: T-Minus One Month
• One Week Left: PCT Crunch Time
• The Night Before The Morning Of (The PCT)
• PCT Day 1: What The Hell Am I Doing?

• PCT Progress Report I: The Desert
• PCT Progress Report II: The Sierra
• PCT Progress Report III: NorCal
• PCT Progress Report IV: Oregon
• PCT Progress Report V: Washington
• The Final Stats Of The Pacific Crest Trail

• The Pacific Crest Trail in Three Minutes (VIDEO)
• The PCT: Three Second Thru-Hike (VIDEO)
• Wildlife Of The Pacific Crest Trail
• Rocket Llama’s Brilliant PCT Comics
• The Birth Of A Thru-Hiker (VIDEO)
• Photo Essay: The Pacific Crest Trail
• Photo Gallery: Faces Of The Pacific Crest Trail
• Super Fun Time Thunderstorm On The Pacific Crest Trail (VIDEO)
• Raw Footage Of The Pacific Crest Trail

• Ultralight Backpacking Explained
• How To Shit In The Woods
• Hiking The 700 Miles Of PCT Desert
• Gifts from the PCTA!
• How Not To Be Eaten By Bears
• Complete Pacific Crest Trail Gear List (Pre-Departure)