About the PCT

Castle Crags, California by Paul Bodnar

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a National Scenic Trail that runs through the United States from the border of Mexico to Canada.  The trail is approximately 2,650 miles and passes through California, Oregon, and Washington.  The PCT is known for its diversity and travels through the scorching desert in Southern California, Sierra Nevada mountain range in Central California, the rain forests in the Pacific Northwest and the North Cascades in Washington.  The trail fluctuates from the high of 13,200 feet at Forester Pass in California to the low near sea level at the Oregon and Washington border.

In late April and early May of each year about 300 to 500 PCT hikers leave the California-Mexico border to attempt the 2655 mile continous hike to the Canadian border.