February 21, 2005, Sacramento, California:

More than 300 Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) members and guests will gather in Portland at the DoubleTree Hotel Lloyd Center this spring for the annual Pacific Crest Trail Fest.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 9, 2005, and will feature trail classes on hot topics such as Fast Packing 101, Packing Light, Backcountry Photography, Foot Care, Preparation, and Conditioning for Extended Hiking, Trail Maintenance, and more. Additional activities will include a vendor fair, silent auction, Sunday "field trips", and the annual business meeting.

On Saturday evening the PCTA will host an Awards Dinner featuring Walkin' Jim Stoltz and a program of live music, poetry, and beautiful slides. Walkin' Jim has hiked more than 25,000 miles and at Trail Fest he'll share his experiences and love of nature through extraordinary words, images, and song.

The public is welcome to attend the Awards Dinner as well as other Pacific Crest Trail Fest activities and can obtain registration information by visiting www.pcta.org or by calling (916) 349-2109. Advance registration is required.

The Pacific Crest Trail Fest is a unique opportunity for enthusiasts of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail along with other hikers, equestrians and trail runners to gather, view the latest gear, and hear from experts in hiking, backpacking, riding, and other outdoor-related topics. Representatives from federal land agencies will be in attendance to discuss issues affecting the trail, its preservation and use.

By attending the Trail Fest, you can learn more about the unique national treasure that is the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, the role that the PCTA and its members play in protecting and preserving this resource, and how you can enjoy recreational activities along its Mexico-to-Canada wilderness route.

The Trail Fest will commence Saturday morning, April 9, at the DoubleTree Hotel Lloyd Center, 1000 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, OR. Contact the PCTA for more information and to register.

Event supporters include GoLite, High Sierra Sport Company, The Trust for Public Land, Altrec.com, and other organizations that have donated to the auction and giveaways.

The PCTA is "The Voice" of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. The mission of the Association is to protect, preserve and promote the PCT so as to reflect its world-class significance for the enjoyment, education and adventure of hikers and equestrians.

For more information, contact the PCTA at 916-285-1846 or send an e-mail.