The mission of the Pacific Crest Trail Association is to protect, preserve and promote the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail as a world-class experience for hikers and equestrians, and for all the values provided by wild and scenic lands.
A little rain did not stop the Columbia Cascades Trail Skills College 2024 from absolutely shining once again for their annual training event. Jeanine Russell, Columbia Cascades Regional Representative, described it as one of her “favorite years yet,” crediting it being the third she and Landon Coates Welsh, Volunteer Training ... Read more
Who is Catherine Montgomery, and why do we refer to her as “The Mother of the Pacific Crest Trail”?
Well…because she is. Let us tell you a story about a woman whose legacy is enshrined in the trail community and whom we have to thank for the vision that is ... Read more
If you think hiking or riding the Pacific Crest Trail is a challenge, just try judging the PCT photo contest.
Jokes aside, each year, Pacific Crest Trail community members generously contribute their trail photos, forming an impressively vast archive that captures the essence of the PCT and its travelers. These ... Read more
When Joseph “Brance” Morefield, a US Forest Service Botanist and Invasive Plant Coordinator, reached out to PCTA’s Columbia Cascades Regional Representative Jeanine Russell to collaborate on volunteer projects, she felt like they’d struck gold in a field of four leaf clovers. Providing a variety of opportunities for volunteers to get ... Read more
Introducing… Lindsay Miller “Upbeat”.
Lindsay is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara. During the 2022 hiking season, she set out to create the PCT Class of 2022 Research on Environmental Support and Trends (CREST) Project. She and her research ... Read more
Anna Dearybury was born and raised in South Carolina, where she grew up enjoying nature walks with her family. However, for the majority of her adult life, she has called the West Coast home. She loves the West for how it invites adventure and embraces wanderers. It is only natural ... Read more
Good news—Justin Kooyman has been named PCTA’s next Director of Trail Operations!
Justin Kooyman came to PCTA in 2008 and served as the Association’s first Northern Sierra Regional Representative. As Justin puts it, “I was one of the ‘first-generation’ Regional Reps; I was hired as the organization was ... Read more
This story was written by PCTA’s Spencer Valenti, featuring narration from a fictionalized hiker who encounters Spencer on the PCT and learns about our work. Though the specific hiker might be made up, encounters and conversations like this are not uncommon. We hope you enjoy this chance to get to ... Read more
Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.