Sean “Butt Plug” Jansen thru-hiked the PCT in 2015. Sean is a freelance writer and photographer as well as seasonal wilderness guide in Yellowstone National Park. He is now south-bounding from Hiker Town to Campo to raise awareness for the critically endangered Southern California steelhead trout. An anadromous fish, like ... Read more
PCTA Blog
A PCT Thru-Hiker’s Veterans Day Message
We apologize for the delay in sharing our Veterans Day message. Due to unforeseen circumstances, our communications team was unavailable last week. We appreciate your understanding and are honored to recognize and thank all veterans for their service. If you missed it, we encourage you to read Jason’s first article ... Read more
Your 2024 Trail Completion Stories Part 2
Welcome back for Part 2 of this series; if you missed the stories from Part 1, we encourage you to start here. You don’t want to miss them! With the thru-hiking season coming to a close and the end of the year fast approaching, we wanted to take a moment ... Read more
Your 2024 Trail Completion Stories Part 1
With the thru-hiking season coming to a close and the end of the year fast approaching, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the stories that the trail has shaped. We reached out to the PCT Class of 2024 and asked them to share with us how the ... Read more
From Storefront to Trailhead: Jeff Lau’s Legacy
Jeff Lau and his wife, Cathie, are the long time owners of Plaza Super Jet, a well-loved community grocery store in Wenatchee, Washington. Founded in 1926, the store has been in his family since 1979, and Jeff has personally overseen its operation for nearly 25 years. Under his guidance, Plaza ... Read more
A Journey of Mental Health on the Pacific Crest Trail
Jason France is an author, speaker, and executive coach. He is a United States Air Force Veteran and retired after serving over thirty-one years in uniform. He thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021, the Colorado Trail in 2022, and the Tahoe Rim Trail in 2023. Jason is the author ... Read more
Bringing Congress to the PCT
The work of Pacific Crest Trail Association volunteers is a sight to behold.
There’s no better feeling than traveling on a recently maintained section of trail. It reminds me of the thousands of volunteers who dedicate tens of thousands of hours of sweat and muscle to keep the trail open ... Read more
Sunshine, Rain, Wind, and Thunder at PCT Days 2024
On August 16-17, outdoor enthusiasts and PCT thru-hikers alike gathered in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge for the 17th annual PCT Days. The highly anticipated summer festival at Cascade Locks Marine Park never disappoints with its celebration and promotion of hiking, camping, ... Read more