The People Behind the PCTA: Ian Nelson, Southern Oregon/Northern California Regional Representative

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
Covid-19 Cases Reported Among Long-Distance Hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern Oregon

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
The Pacific Crest Trail can help achieve the goals of the 30×30 initiative

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
Hydro Flask Launches Limited Edition Scenic Trails Bottles

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
Congrats to the 2021 PCTA Photo Contest Winners

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 Video Q&A: Permits, Covid, Closures, and 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
Extreme social distancing on the PCT in 2021

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
An interview with the authors of the new Wilderness Press Pacific Crest Trail guidebooks

For many years, the Wilderness Press Pacific Crest Trail guidebook series has been the go-to reference for traveling the trail. And while the guides were updated several times over the years, they began to look a bit dated with their black-and-white photos and text-heavy design. That’s all changed with a ... Read more

Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.
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