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.
~Mac
QUICK LINKS: PCT GEAR | PCT RESUPPLY | PCT PLANNING | PCT LIFE | PCT SECTIONS
so wait, what is this?
This is an always up to date collection of all the research I've done and everything I have written about the Pacific Crest Trail – from my own experiences to surveys of PCT hikers.
The amount of content has become a bit overwhelming and so I have divided it up here as best I could (if you have any suggestions on how to make this information more accessible I would love to hear them).
- Location: California / Oregon / Washington, USA / British Columbia, Canada
- Length: 2,663 mi (4,286 km)
- Time Zone: PST (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 Annual Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Survey (2018)
- The Annual Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Survey (2017)
- The PCT Gear Guide: Class of 2017 Survey
- PCT Class of 2017 Survey: Resupply Guide
- Regrets And Advice: Pacific Crest Trail Thru-hikers (2017)
- The Annual Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Survey (2016)
- PCT Class of 2016 Survey: The Gear Guide
- PCT Class of 2016 Survey: The Resupply Guide
- PCT Class of 2016 Survey: The Demographics
- The Annual Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Survey (2015)
- The Annual Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Survey (2014)
- The Annual Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Survey (2013)
PACIFIC CREST TRAIL GEAR POSTS
- The Ultimate Pacific Crest Trail Packing List
- The PCT Gear Guide: Class of 2017 Survey
- PCT Class of 2016 Survey: The Gear Guide
- The Final “Complete PCT Gear List”
- Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15 Sleeping Bag
- Gear Review: Darn Tough Socks
- Gear Review: Osprey Atmos 65 Backpack
- Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Super Mega UL1 Tent
- Gear Review: SteriPEN Ultra UV Water Purifier
- Gear Review: CamelBak All Clear UV Water Purifier
- Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket
- Complete Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Inside Appa The Sky Bison’s Backpack
- 10 Things You're Forgetting On Your PCT Thru-hike
- The Best Bear Canister For The PCT
- The Best Stoves For The PCT
- The Best Water Filters And Purifiers For The PCT
- Choosing Footwear for a Long Distance Hike
- Trekking Poles – Why?
- Dirty Girl Gaiters
- Gear Review: Sawyer MINI Water Filter
- Gear Review: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad
- Gear Review: Topo MT Mountain Trainer Trail Runners
- The Bear Canister: Combating And Outsmarting Hungry Bears
- Bear Canister Tips And Strategies
PCT APPS
- Must-Have Apps For Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail
- App Review: Guthook's PCT Guide
- App Review: Halfmile's PCT App
PCT BOOKS
- 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
- 17 Things I Learned On The Pacific Crest Trail
- The Pacific Crest Trail FAQ
- The Pacific Crest Trail FAQ: Questions From Readers
- Absurd Questions People Ask PCT Hikers
- A Pacific Crest Trail Interview From MadBody.com
- Advice From The PCT Class Of 2015
- Words Of Wisdom From The PCT Class Of 2014
- Appa The Sky Bison: Interview With A Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker
- 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
- 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
- The Mount Laguna Outfitter And “Getting Daved”
- The One Month Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike: Is It Possible?
- Confession: I’m Not Hiking The Entire PCT
- A Letter To The PCT Class Of 2014
- 8 Ridiculous PCT Acronyms to Learn
- To Catch A Hiker
- A Word To The Wind
- Tent Envy – Why Bigger Isn’t Better
- The Many Names Of The PCT
- Sleepless Nights On The PCT
- My Feet Are Melting Off
And that's it!
I've tried to make this as accessible and straightforward as possible, because I remember what a hassle it was to find information about the Pacific Crest Trail before my thru-hike.
If you have any suggestions on how this page can be improved, questions about the Pacific Crest Trail, or requests for future posts, then contact me and let me know!