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.
Planning ahead and preparing is a key Leave No Trace (LNT) principle. Having well laid plans in outdoor endeavors can make the difference between being comfortable or being uncomfortable; in more extreme adventures, planning ahead and preparing can be the difference between having a safe trip or ending up in ... Read more
The Hat Creek Rim is one of the most famous, or perhaps infamous, stretches of the PCT. People do not always associate Northern California with extremely dry, almost desert-like conditions. However, the stretch of the PCT along the Hat Creek Rim is one of the longest waterless stretches of trail. ... Read more
The Pacific Crest Trail, by its very nature, routed on or near the crest, has long waterless stretches. Water can be scarce, especially in parts of California, which often creates challenges for trail users. And because of that, it can adversely affect the environment.
For example, many PCT travelers who ... Read more
In late summer of 2014, Lucas Donald, a high school student at Quincy High in Quincy, California, contacted me because he wanted to do his Senior Project on the PCT.
The Senior Project is a key in fulfilling the requirements for high school graduation. After several meetings, Lucas and I ... Read more
Join us at the Wilderness Treasures Rendezvous – Celebrating 50 Golden Years in Red Bluff, Calif. The event will be held October 10-12 at Tehama District Fairgrounds.
Free and open to the public, it’ll be a fun weekend with a wide range of opportunities and perspectives on wilderness, including recreation, ... Read more
Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.