Editor’s note: The following article by Julio Araujo appeared in our Communicator magazine in 2017. We thought it was prescient, as aspects of the scenario the author predicted three years ago are happening now. On May 4, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officially shifted the baseline for “normal” ... Read more
I can’t imagine a more perfect year for seeking solitude on the Pacific Crest Trail. True solitude. True quiet.
Before the eye-rolls and the “you don’t get its,” I’ll defend: I get it! It’s the people. People make the experience. The trail lets us know small town hospitality, limitless kindness, ... Read more
For many years, Scout and Frodo, famed trail angels in San Diego, have hosted thousands of PCT hikers at their home and—with the help of so many others—driven them to the Southern Terminus for the start of their adventures. Covid-19 changed everything, making it unsafe to gather with hikers as ... Read more
We’re only a week away from the beginning of the 2021 PCT long-distance hiking season. Soon, people will start their long-distance journeys from the PCT’s Southern Terminus in Campo, California. And while it’s an exciting time for aspiring section and thru hikers, it’s just as important as ever to take ... 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
Nothing matters more than your safe return from the PCT. Be prepared. Please take the trail’s dangers seriously. Understand and manage the risks so you can get out safely. We’re so grateful to Doug for turning his tragedy into a lesson for us all.
A son’s newfound passion for hiking... Read more
As states modify their COVID-19 orders and move cautiously to reopen, the PCTA has published guidelines for staying safe on the PCT. Where local guidelines and stay-at-home orders permit—and where the trail and trailheads in your area are open—we support single-day hikes and horseback rides in your local area, ... Read more
With use of the Pacific Crest Trail continuing to increase, it’s crucial for everyone on the PCT to believe in and practice Leave No Trace ethics. It’s how we’ll protect the trail for future generations. Equally important is staying safe while on the trail. To get the message out there ... Read more
Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.