Scott Wilkinson is the PCTA’s Content Development Director. A former professional musician, Scott has 20+ years of experience in almost every marketing role. Before joining the PCTA he was a marketing/creative director at West Virginia University and the University of Oregon. A serious outdoor addict, Scott is an experienced whitewater paddler, hang glider pilot, flyfisher, mountain biker, and (of course) hiker and backpacker.
Note: This story also appears in the Summer 2022 issue of the Communicator magazine.
As a land protection professional, Virginia Esperanza Lorne is deeply influenced by her outdoor play as a child growing up in San Francisco. She is guided by a desire to protect wild places, with the knowledge ... Read more
Note: This story also appears in the Summer 2022 issue of the Communicator magazine.
In 2004, Ian Nelson was in his second year as an associate regional representative for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) when he applied to be the first regional representative for the Pacific Crest Trail.
After the ... Read more
Sacramento, California and Eugene, Oregon – The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) has learned that some long-distance hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern Oregon tested positive for Covid-19 and have left the trail. More hikers were reported as symptomatic and were seeking to be tested.
Each year thousands ... Read more
In January of 2021, President Biden signed an executive order putting the nation on a path to protect at least 30% of lands and 30% of its ocean areas by 2030. Known as 30×30, the initiative is a big step toward reversing years of environmental decline, fighting climate change, and ... Read more
Since 2017, Bend, Oregon-based Hydro Flask’s Parks For All program has donated $1.9 million in grants to nonprofit organizations focused on building, maintaining, restoring, and providing better access to parks and the outdoors. Among these grant recipients is the PCTA—and we’re thrilled to announce the release of a Limited Edition ... Read more
We’re happy to present the winners of this year’s photo contest. It’s been a long year since the pandemic began in March of 2020. For many of us, it was a lost season on the PCT—and we sustained our love for the trail through photos and videos. Though it was ... Read more
2021 will not be a normal year on the Pacific Crest Trail. The Covid-19 pandemic and closures from 2020 wildfires will present challenges to long-distance PCT travelers. In this Q&A, Acting PCT Administrator for the USDA Forest Service Togan Capozza and PCTA’s Associate Director of Trail Operations Justin Kooyman answer ... Read more
Traveling the Pacific Crest Trail can be about the people you meet along the way. The trail has led to lifelong friendships and even marriages. But the defining aspect of a PCT journey has also always been about getting away, finding quiet and being in wild and scenic places.... Read more
Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.