Trail advice

State of the Trail: Southern Sierra

Snakes, bears, fire, river crossings, and the tallest peak in the contiguous US?

Let’s work our way north and talk about what the Southern Sierra region of the Pacific Crest Trail has in store for hikers and equestrians this year. In our second installment of the “State of the Trail” ... Read more

State of the Trail: Southern California

The Southern California section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) faces a dynamic set of challenges that evolve each year. Currently, the most pressing concerns include fire-related closures and damage, as well as route-finding difficulties caused by overgrown vegetation, storm damage, and eroded trail sections. In preparation, we’ve just launched ... Read more

Welcoming back the Crest Runners for PCT ’25

We’re well into March, which can only mean one thing… the Pacific Crest Trail hiking season has officially begun! Although sections of the PCT are used year-round, the long-distance hiking season opened on March 1st. While hikers are gearing up for their adventures along the PCT, the returning crest runners ... Read more

Itching to go Hiking – First Let’s Have a Talk About Poison Oak

Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general information about poison oak and its effects. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing what you suspect may be a severe reaction to poison oak… or are experiencing a severe reaction, it is ... Read more

So, what’s snow-free?

We all want to know what’s melted out. In short: the lower elevation stuff. Up high, be prepared, or wait.

The Sentinel-2 Satellite imagery is the first place I look. A generous donation to PCTA from the European Space Agency (ESA) allows us to have this outstanding resource available to ... Read more