To help you make the most of the time you've got, Wilderness Press permits us to post day hikes from the books Day Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail: California and Day Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon & Washington by George and Patricia Semb (published by Wilderness Press). The following PCT hikes were posted in May, 2004. These hikes have been chosen at random -- their month of posting is not an indication of trail conditions.

California
Oregon
Washington

California:

Lake Morena County Park to Cibbets Flat CG
Map: A-3 (Cleveland NF)
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 13.4 miles (12.6 PCT miles)

Hike: We did this hike N>S because of the elevation change, from 3065 feet at Lake Morena County Park to 4410 feet at Fred Canyon road. This is not a huge climb, but when we have a choice, we sometimes prefer down to up. However, to be consistent with the flow of trail, we describe the hike S>N. From the entrance to Lake Morena County Park (3065), hike north on Lake Shore Drive. PCT signs on the telephone poles mark the way. In about 200 yards (0.1 mile) a sign directs you to the PCT. In 4.0 miles you reach Cottonwood Creek (3065), and in another 1.8 miles the Boulder Oaks CG (3170). Walk another 0.4 mile through the CG to Boulder Oaks Store (3150). Immediately across the road is the PCT TH. From here, you hike 3.8 miles, passing under Highway I-8 and up to a crossing of Kitchen Creek road (3990). (If you turn around, you can see Highway I-8 and Lake Morena in the distance. It is nice to be able to see where you have been, and where you are going. Such vistas are common along the PCT.) Continue 2.5 miles into Fred Canyon to Fred Canyon Road 16S08 (4410). Hike 0.8 mile down Fred Canyon Road 16S08 to the Cibbets Flat CG.

Drive to Lake Morena County Park: Take the Buckman Springs exit off I-8. Go W 0.1 mile to Highway S1. Turn left (S) and go 5.3 miles to Oak Drive. Bear right (SW) on Oak Drive and go 1.5 mile to Lake Morena Drive. Turn right (NW) on Lake Morena Drive and go 0.4 mile to the County Park.

Drive to Cibbets Flat CG: Travel on Highway I-8 to Cameron Station/Kitchen Creek road exit. Go north on paved Kitchen Creek road. You cross the PCT 2.5 miles north of the exit. Continue another 2.2 miles to the Cibbets Flat CG access road. Turn right (E) and follow the access road 0.2 mile to the CG and Fred Canyon Road 16S08. You can park outside the CG along Fred Canyon road. As you enter National Forest land at the Cameron Fire Station, a sign greets you, PARKED VEHICLES MUST DISPLAY A FOREST ADVENTURE PASS. It cost $5 a day, or $30 for an annual pass. This pass covers, S>N, Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles, and Los Padres National Forests.` For an extra $5, you can get a permit for a second car, but the second permit can be obtained only from a District Office. Day and single-vehicle passes are available at ranger stations, gas stations, and places that sell outdoor gear (e.g., REI and Adventure 16). The fine for not displayed a pass in required areas is $100. According to the brochure, 80% of the funds obtained from the passes - and from the fines we assume - go back to the National Forest where the fee was collected.

Oregon:

Summit TH on Highway 140 to Badger Lake TH in Fourmile Lake CG
Map: C-1 (Rogue River NF)
Distance: 10.9 miles (8.4 PCT miles)
Difficulty: Easy

Hike: From the Summit TH off Highway 140 (4980), follow the access trail to the PCT. Go N 4.3 miles on the PCT to the Mt. McLoughlin Trail. Continue N 4.1 miles to Twin Ponds Trail 3715 (5840), which you follow SE 2.5 miles past Squaw Lake to the Badger Lake TH in Fourmile CG.

Drive to Summit TH on Highway 140 near Fish Lake: The TH is off Highway 140 near Fish Lake. There is a parking area off the Highway. There is an access trail to the PCT from the TH parking area. The PCT crosses the highway 0.4 mile west of the Summit TH.

Drive to Badger Lake TH in Fourmile Lake CG: From the Summit TH parking area, go E 3.2 miles on Highway 140 to dirt FR 3661. Turn left (N) on FR 3661 - follow the FOURMILE LAKE sign - and go 6.1 miles to the Fourmile CG and Badger Lake TH. (When we were there in late May, the lake was so high that it covered picnic tables and campsites. Fortunately, the lake recedes in the summer.)

Washington:

FR 65 near Panther Creek CG to FR 60 at Crest CG
Map: H-4 (Gifford Pinchot NF)
Distance: 15.5 miles (all on PCT)
Difficulty: Moderate

Hike: Because there is a 2000+ elevation change in this hike, some may prefer to do it N>S. From Panther Creek Road 65 (930), climb NE 4.7 miles to FR 68. Go E 4.0 miles to the Big Huckleberry Mountain trail (4070). Turn N 3.3 miles to a saddle near FR 6801 (3220), then hike 3.5 miles to FR 60 at the Crest CG (3490).

Drive to FR 65 near Panther Creek CG: Take Highway 14 to Wind River Road - FR 30 on USFS maps. Turn NW and go 5.7 miles to Old State road. Go E on Old State Road for 0.1 mile (from the junction with Wind River road) to paved Panther Creek road. Turn left (NW) - follow the signs for Panther Creek CG - and go 0.9 mile to where Panther Creek road becomes FR 65. Continue straight (N) on FR 65 and go 1.7 miles to the PCT. The Panther Creek Horse Staging Area adjacent to the PCT provides a place to park.

Drive to FR 60 near Crest CG: From Panther Creek Staging Area, go N 8.2 miles on paved FR 65 to dirt FR 60. Turn right (E) and go 2.1 miles to the Crest CG and the PCT. Your teeth may chatter along FR 60 because it's more like a wash board than a superhighway.