Pacific Crest Trail Association
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Discover the Trail
Backcountry basics
Advice for international hikers
Find a hiking partner
Fire information
Burn area safety
How to react to wildfires
What you should know about fire restrictions, warnings and watches
First Aid
Hiking and backpacking with children
Hiking with dogs
Leave No Trace
Axes, hatchets and saws
Basic skill: pooping in four steps
Finding a great campsite
Graffiti and vandalism
Honest talk about toilet paper and uncovered feces
Leaving “trail magic” caches
Pack it in, pack it out
Plan ahead and prepare
The case for carrying a pee rag while hiking
The problem of water caches on the PCT
The wonderful upsides of dry camping
Tips to navigate the start of a thru-hike
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Navigation
PCT gear and equipment
PCT transportation
Getting to and from the Northern Terminus
Getting to and from the Southern Terminus
Safety advice
Reduce your chance of contracting communicable diseases
Danger from individuals cultivating marijuana
Emergency beacons, lost hikers, trip plans, and search and rescue
Encountering Border Patrol on the Southern Pacific Crest Trail
Sexual Harassment on the PCT
Valley fever
Trail food
Bear canister requirements and protecting your food
Water issues
PCT Water Report
Stream crossing safety while hiking and backpacking
Weather forecasts
When to hike the PCT
Winter recreation and snow information
Avalanche danger
Sierra comparison photos
Equestrian center
Equestrian animal choices
Equestrian basics
Equestrian equipment
Equestrian FAQ
Equestrian logistics
Equestrian safety
Equestrian trail conditions
Day and section hiking
John Muir Trail
JMT FAQ
JMT maps and books
JMT permits
JMT regulations
JMT resupply
JMT transportation
JMT history
Thru-hiking and long-distance hiking
2,600 miler list
Finishers and Alumni
Northbound vs. Southbound
PCT Hangtag Project
Resupply strategy
PCT resupply towns and locations
Flip-flop and long section hike ideas
Southbound thru-hike guide
Thru-hiker FAQ
Trail magic and trail angels
Maps
PCT Data
Google Earth
Overview maps
Paper maps
Permits
Photo gallery
California
Equestrian
Flora and Fauna
Oregon
Washington
Trail Work
Historical
Trail Heritage
The regions
Southern California
Central California
Northern California
Oregon
Washington
Trail closures
Trail conditions
Report trail conditions
PCT FAQ
Books
Our Work
America’s National Trails System
Advocacy and Policy
The Land and Water Conservation Fund
Land protection
Land Protection Q&A
Managing visitor use on the PCT
Addressing avoidable impacts
A vision for the trail experience
Strategies for Visitor Use Management
What is Visitor Use Management?
Outreach
Partnerships
Agency partners
Corps and youth group partnerships
Equestrian partnerships
Volunteer trail group partnerships
Corporate partnerships
PCT Communicator magazine
Featured Content
Favorite Articles
Trail and land management
PCT visitor use statistics
Relocating the PCT to Tejon Ranch
The Trail Experience
Trail maintenance and reconstruction
Youth programs
About Us
Our Mission, Vision and Values
PCTA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Financials, Reports and Plans
Staff
Regional Offices
Board of Directors
Job Openings
History
In memoriam
Contact us
Media room
Media images
Media fact sheet
Media contacts
Community
Upcoming Events
Get published by PCTA
Pacific Crest Trail Towns
Join the conversation
5-Needle Pines Community Science Project
2025 PCTA Photo Contest
Community Award Winners
Blog
Shop
Volunteer
Project Schedule
Volunteer Registration
For new volunteers
Adopted Trail Map
Trail Skills College
Saw Training and Certification
PCTA Saw Training and Certification Program Documents
Columbia Cascades Saw Training and Certification
North Cascades Saw Training and Certification
Southern California Saw Training and Certification Weekend
Wind River Saw Training and Certification Weekend
Allingham Trail Skills College
Eastern Sierra Trail Skills College
Southern Oregon Trail Skills College
Columbia Cascades Trail Skills College
North Cascades Trail Skills College
Southern California Trail Skills College
Tahoe Trail Skills College
West Cascades Trail Skills College
White Pass Trail Skills College
Trail Skills College Course Curriculum
Regional groups
Volunteer Learning Center
Office and event volunteers
Crew Leader Center
Login to PCTAConnect
Volunteer rewards
Donate
Your support matters
Membership
Monthly giving
Trail guardian club
Donate
Fundraise for PCTA
Honorary/Memorial
Workplace giving
Matching gifts
Gifts of securities
Donor Advised Funds
IRA Charitable Rollover
Leave a Legacy
Endowment funds
Corporate giving
Mail or phone
Vehicle Donations
California
↑ Back to top
Discover the Trail
Backcountry basics
Advice for international hikers
Find a hiking partner
Fire information
Burn area safety
How to react to wildfires
What you should know about fire restrictions, warnings and watches
First Aid
Hiking and backpacking with children
Hiking with dogs
Leave No Trace
Axes, hatchets and saws
Basic skill: pooping in four steps
Finding a great campsite
Graffiti and vandalism
Honest talk about toilet paper and uncovered feces
Leaving “trail magic” caches
Pack it in, pack it out
Plan ahead and prepare
The case for carrying a pee rag while hiking
The problem of water caches on the PCT
The wonderful upsides of dry camping
Tips to navigate the start of a thru-hike
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Navigation
PCT gear and equipment
PCT transportation
Getting to and from the Northern Terminus
Getting to and from the Southern Terminus
Safety advice
Danger from individuals cultivating marijuana
Emergency beacons, lost hikers, trip plans, and search and rescue
Encountering Border Patrol on the Southern Pacific Crest Trail
Reduce your chance of contracting communicable diseases
Sexual Harassment on the PCT
Valley fever
Trail food
Bear canister requirements and protecting your food
Water issues
PCT Water Report
Stream crossing safety while hiking and backpacking
Weather forecasts
When to hike the PCT
Winter recreation and snow information
Avalanche danger
Sierra comparison photos
Day and section hiking
Equestrian center
Equestrian animal choices
Equestrian basics
Equestrian equipment
Equestrian FAQ
Equestrian logistics
Equestrian safety
Equestrian trail conditions
John Muir Trail
JMT FAQ
JMT history
JMT maps and books
JMT permits
JMT regulations
JMT resupply
JMT transportation
Maps
Google Earth
Overview maps
Paper maps
PCT Data
PCT Incident Report
Photo gallery
2023 Photo Contest Winners
California
Equestrian
Flora and Fauna
Historical
Oregon
Trail Heritage
Trail Work
Washington
2013 Photo Contest Winners
2014 Photo Contest Winners
2015 Photo Contest Winners
2016 Photo Contest Winners
2017 Photo Contest Winners
2018 Photo Contest Winners
2019 Photo Contest Winners
2020 Photo Contest Winners
2021 Photo Contest Winners
2022 Photo Contest Winners
The regions
Southern California
Central California
Northern California
Oregon
Washington
Thru-hiking and long-distance hiking
2,600 miler list
Finishers and Alumni
Trail Completion Form
Flip-flop and long section hike ideas
Northbound vs. Southbound
PCT Hangtag Project
Resupply strategy
PCT resupply towns and locations
Southbound thru-hike guide
Thru-hiker FAQ
Trail magic and trail angels
Trail closures
Trail conditions
Report trail conditions
PCT FAQ
Books
Permits
Commercial permits and special-use authorizations
Local permit areas on the Pacific Crest Trail
PCT Long-distance Permit
Canada PCT Entry Permit
California Campfire Permit
Entering the U.S. from Canada
