Justin Kooyman is PCTA’s Associate Director of Trail Operations. He works on trail protection and management projects out of our Northern Sierra regional office in Portola, CA. When not working, Justin can be found exploring the Northern Sierra, especially looking for uncommon birds in Plumas County.
To better protect the southernmost section of the Pacific Crest Trail during the busiest time of year, the Cleveland National Forest’s Descanso Ranger District is restricting overnight camping this spring.
The Descanso Ranger District recently announced changes to its overnight permit system for 2020 affecting the southern 53 miles of ... Read more
As world-wide interest in hiking grows, so has the popularity of the Pacific Crest Trail. More people are going to the mountains for a day, a weekend, or a week. Some of us are fortunate to be able to take longer trips.
The Southern Sierra Nevada are one of the ... Read more
The volunteer Southern Terminus hosts are back again this year!
The U.S. Forest Service and the Pacific Crest Trail Association started the program in 2017 with the goal of expanding the outreach of Leave No Trace ethics through an increased on-the-ground and in-person presence, promoting safe hiking practices and reducing ... Read more
Most who have hiked the Pacific Crest Trail or worked on trail maintenance crews know that use of the trail continues to increase each year.
On one hand, this is great—more people are outside being active, enjoying the outdoors, appreciating the PCT and the places that the trail leads them. ... Read more
The Cleveland National Forest is again hosting two Crest Runners in 2018 who will cover the first 100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California. This is the fourth year of the program. And for the second consecutive year, a volunteer will staff the PCT southern Terminus, providing ... Read more
I’m thrilled to announce that a new section of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Sierra Buttes, built over the last four summers, is now open. This 6.5-mile section of trail takes PCT hikers and horseback riders past beautiful lakes and it has great camping. Plus, it avoids a long-standing ... Read more
Most bears living in the forests along the PCT are not as habituated as those found in Yosemite and some areas in the Southern Sierra. That may be changing in some places; it definitely has changed in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
In 2016, a bear around Twin Lakes — a ... Read more
Walking the PCT from Ebbetts Pass south to Nobel Lake is one of my favorite day hikes. It’s also a superb short backpacking trip.
Trail description:
Heading south of Ebbetts Pass, the trail affords hikers and equestrians excellent views of the volcanic geology that dominates and surrounds this section of ... Read more
Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.