Photo by Emmanuel Forge
We’re well into March, which can only mean one thing… the Pacific Crest Trail hiking season has officially begun! Although sections of the PCT are used year-round, the long-distance hiking season opened on March 1st. While hikers are gearing up for their adventures along the PCT, the returning crest runners Abbie and Eric have been preparing for a season of meeting hikers at the southern terminus of the PCT. If you don’t already know about the Crest Runner program, check out this article illustrating the role of the Crest Runners. During their training week, the Crest Runners met with their coworkers to learn about the current state of the trail and new happenings for the 2025 hiking year.
As the training week came to a close in late February, the Crest Runners gathered with Anitra Kass, PCTA’s Southern California Regional Representative, Ethan Hardacre, SoCal Regional Trail Stewardship Coordinator, and Paolo Perrone, Senior Conservation Manager, to go on a hike in the Whitewater Preserve.
 |
 |
While on their walk, they were able to lay “boots on the ground” and feel the magic of the 2,650-mile footpath. Seeing the epic expanse that is the wash of the Whitewater Preserve, it was a stark reality that areas of the trail this year will not be maintained. Knowing this, please be safe and obey trail closures this year to minimize the impact on our already scarce resources.
Like that, the warm desert dream that was the Palm Springs training vacation was over, and the Crest Runners were on their way back to the unincorporated town of Campo, California. Campo is a lot more than just a portal to the PCT; there are vibrant farmers markets, locomotive rides at the Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum, and more. After arriving in Campo, Eric went to the Southern Terminus to track down and find the original Adobe building, which, until 1988, was where many people would start the PCT. Eric rode his bike along the border wall and found it after a short while.
 |
 |
The following day, the pair of Crest Runners went on a 33-mile backpacking trip through the edge of the Anza-Borrego State Park and the Mount Laguna Recreation and Cleveland National Forest. Not expecting to run into many hikers, they were surprised when they stumbled across a film set at one of the parking lots along the trail. The initial spook of the film crew was made good when the caterers gave the Crest Runners a couple of warm chocolate chip cookies sprinkled with sea salt. With the beautiful views of the Anza and the shade of the pines ahead, there was a lot to be grateful for on this hike. As the day continued, the thought of a cool soda from the Mount Laguna store was the motivation that propelled them forward on the trail. That first sip of crisp, sweet cola was everything and more!
 |
 |
“I am writing to you in town the morning after our backpacking trip with an ear-to-ear smile across my face. This trail, the land, and all the people who use it have profound and impactful stories. I am very excited for the next generation of Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers to begin their adventures, as much as I am excited for all the unknowing people who make their way to the Southern Terminus of the PCT and have the opportunity to learn the life-changing stories of the PCT and all its users.”
The Crest Runners have been at the Southern Terminus of the PCT for the permit season since March 1st. Meet them down there to learn more about the trail and what to expect this season.
***
All other featured photos were provided by Eric Kipperman.