Planning for a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike can seem like an impossible and insurmountable task, especially if you’ve never done anything on this scale before.
Trying to stuff your head full of plans, strategies, and information about the trail is, in all honesty, probably a waste of your time. That being said, I’m sure my saying so will do nothing to deter you – so why not add another couple of things to your list?
A lot of this you may already know, a lot of it you probably don’t, a lot of it might surprise you, and a lot of it (most of it) you’ll probably forget before starting your hike. But I hope that all of you (even those of you who may have already hiked the PCT) will be able to take something from this list.
In no particular order, I give you 110 things to know before hiking the Pacific Crest Trail:
- Learn the footprints of your hiking partners.
- If you come to a cache/trail magic, be courteous to those behind you (don’t take everything, you ass).
- Make sure you know if/when there are fire restrictions – those tickets are no joke (and neither are fires).
- If you’ve never been, a detour to Yosemite Valley (or up Half Dome) is worth it.
- Remember that marijuana is still illegal in national parks.
- The trail’s steepest climb is up Old Snowy Mountain in Washington (~700 ft in 0.6 mi / 213 m in .97 km).
- If you see pink/red snow, it’s because there’s algae growing it (the algae is a laxative).
- Don’t bring a Nalgene (they’re heavy), use smartwater or LIFEWTR bottles (mainly so you’ll fit in).
- The sport tops that come on some Smartwater or LIFEWTR bottles can be used to backflush a Sawyer Squeeze or Sawyer MINI.
- You can pack out cheese (it will get sweaty in warmer temperatures, but it will still be delicious).
- Black bears are just big raccoons and you should not be afraid of them.
- Don’t “get Daved” in Mount Laguna.
- The southern terminus monument was replaced in 2015 and now faces the opposite way.
- There is a bus that goes to Campo from San Diego.
- Hikertown (in the desert, north of Acton/Agua Dulce) is a weird place (don’t plan on staying there).
- Gaiters are worth the investment (I recommend Outdoor Research Sparkplugs).
- Fuller Ridge (just south of Cabazon in the desert) is longer than you think it is.
- You can skip Hat Creek Rim (a waterless stretch in Northern California) by road walking from Old Station to Burney Falls State Park (just saying).
- Always check the hiker box before doing your resupply.
- You need a permit if you plan on crossing the border and hiking into Canada.
- You cannot legally enter the US from Canada via the trail.
- Darn Tough will replace your (Darn Tough) socks when they get holes in them.
- Some local outfitters will replace your Darn Tough socks when they get holes in them (it’s always worth at least asking).
- Say “yes” to things whenever possible (especially the kindness of strangers).
- Water caches are for drinking only (absolutely no washing allowed).
- Don’t choose a campsite where water is likely to pool (especially in Washington).
- You should not skip the desert.
- Lightning is scary.
- Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your ears and around your nostrils (especially if you’re hiking through snow).
- The town of Independence sucks, just hitch up to Bishop from Independence and resupply there (unless you have a box in Independence).
- The longest waterless stretch of the trail (assuming there are no caches and you do not hitch into town from Walker Pass) is in California Section F/G from (northbound) mile 620 to 664.
- You will stoop to stealing toilet paper from gas stations, restaurants, and hotels.
- Always smile when hitchhiking (or just be a girl).
- Write your name and/or put something identifying on your resupply boxes (like Disney stickers).
- Always ask if there’s a “hiker rate” or discount (at hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, outfitters, etc.).
- You’ve never gone as far as you think you have.
- Wood is very slippery when wet (careful on those water crossings).
- DEET will destroy your sunglasses and synthetic fabrics if you aren’t careful (I use picaridin now).
- Verizon has the best cell coverage on the trail (including on top of Mount Whitney).
- It’s easier to ford rivers/creeks/streams with your shoes on.
- It gets colder near water.
- It’s illegal to ride in the back of a pickup truck in California – it’s legal to do so in Oregon and Washington.
- You still need to filter running water.
- You cannot give yourself a trail name.
- You’re going to have bad days (and really bad days).
- Forester Pass (in the Sierra) is the highest point on the trail.
- Cascade Locks, Oregon, is the lowest point on the trail.
- Sending yourself individual detergent packets for laundry in your resupply boxes is a good idea.
- Many of the towns in Northern California are in valleys that you need to descend into and climb out of.
- You probably want a head net.
- You will grow to hate John Muir Trail hikers.
- Pack out your toilet paper.
- The PCT midpoint is in Northern California, just south of Chester.
- Treat water caches as if they don’t exist (because there’s always a chance there will be none when you arrive).
- Strictly speaking, saying “Sierras” is incorrect – it should always be “Sierra” (no ‘s’).
- You’re definitely planning too much.
- Bow hunting season in Oregon begins on August 1 for bears and August 26 for deer/elk.
- On-trail zero days are legendary.
- Swimming is cool and you should do it often.
- Writing on or carving into signs is assuredly not cool.
- The soonest you can lose your bear canister (after the Sierra) is Bridgeport for northbounders and Lone Pine (via Cottonwood Pass) for southbounders.
- There’s a four-mile road walk heading into/out of Seiad Valley (the longest of the PCT).
- If you send yourself a flat-rate box via USPS, you can have it forwarded to another location free of charge if you don’t open it.
- Don’t buy into the fear-mongering (especially on Facebook).
- Treat trail angels’ homes the way you would want someone to treat that of your grandparents.
- Never run uphill away from a fire.
- You don’t have to buy an expensive tent footprint – TyVek or window insulation (aka polycryo) are inexpensive alternatives.
- If you’ve never thru-hiked before, you’re probably taking too much.
- Halfmile/Guthook are not 100% accurate 100% of the time.
- Never trust southbounders. Never.
- In Northern California, assume everything is poison oak.
- It can snow in September in Washington – don’t count on an easy October finish.
- You cannot complete the Seiad Valley pancake challenge – just order it and split it five ways.
- Southern Oregon is one of the least-liked sections of the trail.
- You don’t need a pillow – just fill a stuff sack with any clothing you’re not wearing.
- Remember that Sawyer Squeeze and Sawyer MINI water filters can freeze (and break) – put yours in your sleeping bag at night.
- It’s probably not a good idea to plan to meet and hike with people during your thru-hike.
- You’re not going to stretch and do push-ups every day (sorry).
- Send yourself a box to Kennedy Meadows.
- One liter of water weighs 2.2 lbs / 1 kg.
- Don’t buy a Sawyer MINI, just get the regular one.
- Don’t buy all your shoes ahead of time (you might change your mind). You can have shoes shipped (from Amazon, REI, etc.) to places on the trail.
- Remember that Merrell does a one-time shoe replacement for thru-hikers.
- Do not listen to anything that anyone says on Facebook.
- Don’t quit on a bad day (or even the day after that…or after that).
- Cowboy camping (sleeping without a shelter) is awesome (and no, snakes will not crawl into your sleeping bag).
- You probably don’t want a waterproof shoe (unless you want hot and sweaty feet – and blisters).
- If your backpack has a lid, you can probably remove it (if you think you need it, you’re probably bringing too much).
- Dig proper catholes and bury your poop.
- Never put your hand into a bag of food/snacks (especially someone else’s food) – always pour out of the bag and into your hand (your poop-covered hand).
- Northbound hikers, you do not need to make it to Lake Morena on day one.
- You do not need to buy or read Yogi’s Guide.
- You absolutely do not have to be a crazy ultralight minimalist, but lighter is better.
- There’s a free shuttle in Mammoth Lakes.
- Thoroughly rinse out your socks before putting them in the washer.
- You should probably get a battery pack instead of a solar panel.
- When you’re finished with the trail, nobody will care.
- Take pictures of your fellow hikers (you’ll be glad you did after the trail).
- You’re probably going to die.
- Don’t not hike the PCT because you don’t want to start by yourself.
- Tehachapi is better than Mojave.
- The Northridge REI (the one accessible from Acton/Agua Dulce) knows about you – be discreet if/when returning/exchanging here.
- The total elevation gain/loss on the Pacific Crest Trail is 824,370 ft over 2,668.8 mi (average: 309 ft/mi) or 251,268 m over 4,295 km (average 58.5 m/km).
- Post offices can have strange hours – always be sure to check if you intend on using one (and are always closed on Sunday).
- You need a bear canister for Lassen National Park.
- Get yourself some free audiobooks.
- You only need to pay to go up Mount Whitney if you are entering or exiting via Whitney Portal (on the east side).
- Stevens Pass and Skykomish are the same resupply point – you hitch down to Skykomish from Stevens Pass.
- The northern terminus is not accessible by car.
- Whatever you do, do not listen to anything that anyone tells you about the PCT before you hike – especially strangers on the internet.
Bonus
- Never shake a hiker’s hand – use the hiker handshake (aka a fist bump).