Blue skies abound. We’re thinking about this sunny and warm winter and looking forward to the quickly approaching start of another incredible hiking season. We’re thinking of the mixed, painful, sometimes beautiful, and just plain weird past two years of global pandemic, wildfires, and challenges; meanwhile, being truly excited and ... Read more
As more people venture into the outdoors, properly protecting our food and other scented items is becoming more important than ever. It’s a popular belief when camping in the backcountry that we protect our food from wildlife for our own benefit—but in this video, BearVault owner Tracy Twist explains ... Read more
The PCTA is sponsoring Crystal’s Footprints for Change Hike for Justice this summer on the Pacific Crest Trail portion of the Great Western Loop. Crystal is sharing her experience to encourage members of the PCT community to become more aware and more mindful of ourselves. We hope that you respect ... Read more
Sacramento, California and Eugene, Oregon – The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) has learned that some long-distance hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern Oregon tested positive for Covid-19 and have left the trail. More hikers were reported as symptomatic and were seeking to be tested.
Each year thousands ... Read more
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
Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.