Ian Nelson has been the PCTA’s Regional Representative for Northern California/Southern Oregon for more than 15 years. He is based in the beautiful Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon and enjoys exploring the many wilderness areas in the region.
UPDATE: Most of the PCT previously closed by this fire has been reopened. For the latest information see our trail closure page.
On Friday July 29th, the McKinney Fire started along the Klamath River upstream and east of Seiad Valley, California. Threatening communities and homes along the river, ... Read more
“While shopping for my first overnight backpack, my 16-year old self stumbled upon none other than an early trail guide: Pacific Crest Trail: Northern California. I didn’t know what the PCT was, nor could I envision how a trail extending from Mexico to Canada could even exist. Nonetheless, I left ... Read more
Siskiyou County will be extending its STAGE bus service to Castella this summer to accommodate Pacific Crest Trail hikers.
This new service will provide transportation from Castle Crags State Park and the PCT trailhead at Soda Creek Road to the towns of Dunsmuir, Mount Shasta City, and Weed, with connections ... Read more
Pacific Crest Trail volunteers have many motivations for their service. If you ask volunteers what inspires them most I believe many of them would tell you that the camaraderie of their fellow volunteers keeps them coming back year after year.
There are many incredible volunteer crews up and down the ... Read more
Two technical advisors skilled in trail building and leadership have started their seasonal jobs overseeing PCTA maintenance crews in Southern California and will spend the next several months teaching trail skills classes and working the PCT throughout the state.
Each year, the PCTA brings on seasonal technical advisors to support ... Read more
The Pacific Crest Trail Association is excited to have technical advisors in the field supporting our corps crews and volunteer programs in 2017. Connor Swift and Tyler Lau already are working in Southern California and will move to Northern California this summer before returning south in the fall.
Technical advisors ... Read more
As the weather cools and the days get shorter, the other PCTA regional representatives and I often find ourselves in the field for an on-the-ground look at the trail before the snow falls. Whether it’s with a volunteer leader to scout a future trail project or an agency partner to ... Read more
Over the years, the arrival of PCTA’s annual Trail Skills College in southern Oregon has meant that the Pacific Crest Trail maintenance season is officially underway. As such, Trail Skills College proves a valuable volunteer outreach tool for PCTA and a great place for veteran and aspiring PCT volunteers to ... Read more
Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.