Pacific Crest Trail

The Route

The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,650-mile National Scenic Trail running from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. The route was established through the National Trails System Act of 1968 to protect and connect a continuous footpath through the western mountains, and it was completed in 1993. Desert basins, chaparral, volcanic peaks, granite passes, alpine meadows, forests, and snowfields create five broad stages: southern, central, and northern California, Oregon, and Washington. A northbound thru-hike generally takes four to six months, beginning in spring and reaching Canada in late summer or early fall; weather, wildfire, and snowpack shape the timing. A day alternates between water carries, climbs, long ridgelines, and decisions about the next resupply. Most food is carried in a food bag and replenished through towns, stores, mailed boxes, and trail angels. Meals favor lightweight, durable calories, while town stops bring diners, grocery food, and regional meals. In remote sections, planning matters more than variety.

Resources