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.
Our partners at the U.S. Forest Service are hiring trail crew positions to work exclusively on the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington for the 2024 season. It’s a great opportunity to work on the trail in one of the most spectacular places on the entire trail: Washington’s Glacier Peak Wilderness.... Read more
All of us in the trail community were heartbroken to hear of the passing of Donna Saufley on October 6 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. A long-distance hiker, former PCTA board member, and volunteer, Donna—along with her husband Jeff Saufley—helped create the generous culture of trail angels ... Read more
In the past few decades, the outdoor recreation industry has produced many innovations—much of them aimed at people already experienced in backcountry travel. The majority have revolved around lighter and more versatile gear—such as footwear, packs and tents—and digital maps and GPS-based navigation. But very little of this innovation has ... Read more
What a year it’s been! Last winter’s record snowpack lingers in the highest reaches of the Sierra Nevada.
Get the right local permits.Many northbound thru-hikers made the choice to skip and bypass the Sierra due to the record snow year. Are you looking to come back to hike the ... Read more
We’re excited to announce the permanent protection of 2.5 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail and 1,172 surrounding acres of land in Northern California.
Known as Girard Ridge, the newly-protected land lies near the towns of Castella and Dunsmuir and near where the PCT crosses Interstate 5. Access to ... Read more
Hello, PCT Class of 2024!
We can’t wait to meet you and we’re thrilled that you’re coming to the trail. It’s an incredibly special place. As you plan your trip, from physical training to prepare for the adventure to refining your wilderness skills, we know that getting a permit is ... Read more
UPDATE for July 19, 2023: Yosemite National Park is moving slowly toward the opening of Tioga Road due to the huge and lingering snowpack—and with that, their limited services. As a reminder, the Tuolumne Meadows Campground is still closed in 2023 due to ongoing construction. There is no backpacker’s campground ... Read more
The Pacific Crest Trail Association is happy to share the first public draft of our new Strategic Plan. This has been PCTA’s longest, largest, and most community involved planning process we’ve ever undertaken—and we’re not done engaging with the PCT community. Below are links to download and read the ... Read more
Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.