By Hannah Levy, ACE Corps Crew member
“I know it’s a rock. Don’t you think I know a rock when I see a rock? I spend a lot of time around rocks!”
— Flik, from “A Bug’s Life”
That’s how it felt, working on the PCT. Let me paint you ... Read more
PCTA Blog
Wilderness Agency Partner of the Year Award presented to Beth Boyst
California’s High Sierra harbors some of the most sublime scenery on earth – no doubt this region’s wilderness areas exemplify America’s reasons for creating protected areas. The John Muir Trail winds over the often-snowy High Sierra crest—the original section of the Pacific Crest Trail which helped inspire the other 2,400-some ... Read more
Rerouting life on the Pacific Crest Trail
By Johnny Wilke, ACE Corps Crew member
As I sit in ACE’s Ridgecrest, California housing on a September day where the air quality is “unhealthy” again, I stare through smog at China Lake Naval Weapons Station and reminisce about my first project on ACE’s PCT crew.
In June, I returned ... Read more
The nature of the 2020 American Conservation Experience Crew season
By Sandra Plato, PCTA Trail Crew Technical Advisor
“Unprecedented.”
“Flexibility.”
“COVID.”
“Wildfires.”
“Grateful.”
Honestly, I should make a 2020 word search with all the words that keep being repeated to me either by work colleagues, the news or the internet. These words are starting to lose their meaning. I want ... Read more
Thoughts on a cancelled thru-hike
By Jessica Bowman
HarlemWhat happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy ... Read more
Journeys North – a new book about the Pacific Crest Trail by Barney Scout Mann
In Journeys North, trail angel, thru-hiker, and outdoor advocate Barney Scout Mann spins a compelling tale of six hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2007 as they walk from Mexico to Canada. This ensemble story unfolds as these half-dozen hikers—including Barney and his wife, Sandy—tread north, forming relationships ... Read more
Pandemic leaves 2021 Pacific Crest Trail season uncertain
The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected people across the world. For those of us who enjoy the PCT, our inability to visit has laid bare the importance of the trail and the value we get from its open and wild spaces. All of us at the PCTA appreciate how disappointing ... Read more
In memory of David Xiao, 2018 P3 Hiker and Pacific Crest Trail advocate
On August 16, PCT thru-hiker and PCTA P3 Hiker David “Squish” Xiao died in a climbing accident in British Columbia. We’re deeply saddened by his loss, and our condolences go out to his family and all who knew him.
In 2018, we chose David from a field of over 100 ... Read more