An interview with the authors of the new Wilderness Press Pacific Crest Trail guidebooks

For many years, the Wilderness Press Pacific Crest Trail guidebook series has been the go-to reference for traveling the trail. And while the guides were updated several times over the years, they began to look a bit dated with their black-and-white photos and text-heavy design. That’s all changed with a new and much improved set of three guidebooks. The latest edition features color photos, beautiful maps with high levels of detail, and a sleeker, modern design that’s easier to scan for information. And the latest release preserves all the information about the PCT that made these guides great—not just details relevant to traveling the trail, but human and natural history and geology as well.

We caught up recently via Zoom with the authors of the new guidebooks: Laura Randall (Southern California) and Jordan Summers (Northern California and Oregon/Washington). We asked them how they got into writing guidebooks, about their process for the PCT guides, changes they’ve seen in the trail, and why paper guidebooks are still worth having. Watch the 10-minute video interview below to hear their thoughts.

Buy your PCT guidebooks from AdventureKEEN and benefit the PCT

AdventureKEEN, publisher of the new Wilderness Press PCT guides, is a generous supporter of the PCTA. When you buy any of the three guidebooks from the AdventureKEEN online store, 2% of your purchase will support the PCTA’s work to maintain and protect the PCT.

Author: Scott Wilkinson

Scott Wilkinson is the PCTA’s Content Development Director. A former professional musician, Scott has 20+ years of experience in almost every marketing role. Before joining the PCTA he was a marketing/creative director at West Virginia University and the University of Oregon. A serious outdoor addict, Scott is an experienced whitewater paddler, hang glider pilot, flyfisher, mountain biker, and (of course) hiker and backpacker.