Trail news

Public Lands Deserve Transparency, Not Shortcuts

Public lands are a cornerstone of American life—used for recreation, hunting, fishing, ranching, and family traditions across generations. These lands belong to all of us, and decisions about them should be made openly, with public input and local voices at the table.

A Dangerous Shortcut in Congress

Last week, a ... 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

Here’s where to get a PCT hangtag in 2025

PCT hangtags are distributed to PCT Long-distance Permit holders as a keepsake and a way to encourage people to be personally engaged in protecting the trail and fragile places the trail passes through. They’re a tool for getting people to talk to rangers and discuss how they can Leave No ... Read more

Our National Trails Depend on Federal Support – Which is Now in Doubt

By Sandra Marra, Appalachian Trail Conservancy CEO & Megan Wargo, Pacific Crest Trail Association CEO

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) stretch over a collective 4,800 miles. They are some of the longest and most iconic hiking trails in the world. Our dynamic bicoastal footpaths connect some ... Read more

I Give Thanks for Meadow Ed

Written by Angela Ballard, PCTA Communicator Magazine Co-Editor

For many of us, it’s a season to give thanks and share love, generosity and soul-nourishing food. An apt time to turn my thoughts to Ed Faubert, who I was lucky enough to have known, like thousands of other PCT hikers, as ... Read more