I enjoy hiking, walking, and trail running at times. There are plenty of places to go with trails, paths, lakes and rivers all around the Sacramento area. It is a part of my routine, one way or the other. I get out for varying amounts of time, all based on ... Read more
By Evelina “Foodie” Averyanova, PCTA P3 Hiker
The alarm went off at 3 a.m. I wiped sleep from my eyes and mumbled something into my sleeping bag. I was driven — summiting Mount Whitney was my long-awaited dream. It took me an extra five minutes to squeeze my warm feet ... Read more
In spite of blistering heat and the threat of smoke from Northern California wildfires, hundreds turned out July 21 to celebrate Mt. Shasta’s new status as the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s first official Pacific Crest Trail Town.
On the day before the event, thick smoke from wildfires obscured the normally ... Read more
The children in the ExCEL summer school class at Cascade Locks Elementary know that where they live, the Columbia River Gorge, is a special place. They also know their town is within a national scenic area. When a photo of Oregon’s iconic volcano flashes on the screen, they can immediately ... Read more
By Pete Fish
PCTA volunteer Bill McConnell passed away in early June at a retirement facility near his home in Big Bear, California. This was not a surprise. By my reckoning he was 97, or close to it. While it is sad that he is no longer with us, just ... Read more
Each year, PCTA volunteers put in more than 90,000 hours maintaining the trail. Summer is the height of the volunteer season, so day, weekend, and even week-long projects deep in the backcountry are in full-swing. Here are some of the stories from the trail we’ve heard so far this summer.... Read more
It’s wildfire season and that means campfires are now banned in multiple spots along the Pacific Crest Trail. And it’s pretty much a sure thing that officials will expand restrictions to new places in the coming weeks.
It is your responsibility to know what the current restrictions are for the ... Read more
By Geolyn Carvin
You’ve probably seen a Boots McFarland cartoon somewhere: online, in a hiking club newsletter or perhaps the black and white comics featured years ago in the PCT Communicator. Where do these cartoons originate and where do the ideas come from?
I’m a nature lover, like you. ... Read more