21 Marmot Closeup

Wildlife Of The Pacific Crest Trail

Spending months (or maybe a month) out on the Pacific Crest Trail, you are guaranteed to run into some wildlife.

This wildlife could be as boring as the “cheeseburger” birds taunting you with reminders of food you can’t eat (Cheeseburger bird? Yes, cheeseburger bird. Go hike the PCT and you’ll know what I’m talking about), or as exciting as a predatory mountain lions stalking you over the course of a day and night (and then killing you).

The desert offers PCT hikers chances to see countless rattlesnakes, infinity lizards, and a healthy helping of cattle. The Sierra introduces the chirpy bastards that are marmots and maybe a bear or two if you’re lucky. Northern California to the Canadian border? Best just check out the photos and see for yourself.

The following photos are in chronological order (beginning at the PCT Southern Terminus) and reflect only a sliver of the animals I encountered hiking the PCT.

Ants on Candy
Do ants count as wildlife?
Lizard Closeup
Desert lizard chilling
Desert Caterpillar
So many colors
Pacific Crest Trail Desert Horny Toad
He’s watching me
Pacific Crest Trail Rattle Snake
How far away can these guys strike again?
Pacific Crest Trail Desert Deer
A blurry photo of Bambi
PCT Bobcat
Woke up sharing a campsite with this guy
2 Rattle Snake
Hiding among the picnic tables
Pacific Crest Trail Desert Lizard
At the boy scout camp
PCT Hikertown Rooster
The roosters of Hikertown
Giant Desert PCT Cows
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo……
Pacific Crest Trail Desert Skunk
Skunk
PCT Lake Isabella Kitten Cat
LOOK! AN ADORABLE KITTEN!
Pacific Crest Trail Desert Snake
Can someone identify this snake for me? UPDATE: Identified as a milk snake by Jburning. Thanks!
PCT Dog
Kennedy Meadows friend
PCT Donkeys
If only I had one of these to carry all my gear
PCT Chipmunk
A chipmunk?
PCT Mosquito
The scariest thing I saw on the PCT.
PCT Deer
Had lunch with this guy.
PCT Sierra Bugs Sex
Bug sex
Pacific Crest Trail Northern California Deer
It’s about time I hunt, kill, and eat one of these things.
6 Snake Eating Mouse
A snake eating a mouse – awesome.
Mountain Goats
As close as I could get to some mountain goats.
7 A Barred Owl
My favorite animal photo of the trail – a barred owl.
Washington Deer
There are some huge mule deer up there, I promise.

Getting ready for a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike yourself? What animal(s) are you most looking forward to seeing? To not seeing?

Leave a comment below and let me know!

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