2021 will not be a normal year on the Pacific Crest Trail. The Covid-19 pandemic and closures from 2020 wildfires will present challenges to long-distance PCT travelers. In this Q&A, Acting PCT Administrator for the USDA Forest Service Togan Capozza and PCTA’s Associate Director of Trail Operations Justin Kooyman answer some common questions about the upcoming PCT season. See below for a list of questions and video timings for each.
Questions and Video Timings
00:45 What is the purpose of a PCT Long-Distance Permit?
02:33 What would happen if there were no PCT long-distance permits?
03:40 How will the 2021 PCT season be different than “normal” seasons?
06:56 If a stay-at-home order is in effect on your permit start date, can you skip ahead later?
08:05 If you start on your permit start date and run into a closure later, can you skip the closed area?
09:41 Is there any enforcement of permits along the trail?
11:10 How do you know which Covid-related orders and restrictions to follow?
13:17 What should you do to detour around wildfire closures?
15:32 What are some tactics for staying safer on the PCT during the pandemic?