On Friday, July 29th, thru-hiker Jen “Gets-there” Olson was hiking through Northern California on the PCT when the group of twelve hikers she was with camped for the evening about eleven miles northeast of Seiad Valley. “I knew that fire season was upon us at this point and that ... Read more
UPDATE: Most of the PCT previously closed by this fire has been reopened. For the latest information see our trail closure page.
On Friday July 29th, the McKinney Fire started along the Klamath River upstream and east of Seiad Valley, California. Threatening communities and homes along the river, ... Read more
In early summer, we usually start making plans for an August backpacking trip. From our home in Portland, Oregon, we’re within striking distance of many great alpine and wilderness walks on the PCT, in the Wallowa Range of eastern Oregon or in the jagged peaks of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
But ... Read more
By Ken “Granny Gear” Hale
Five of us stood on a large rock outcropping just past Devils Peak on the PCT in southern Oregon. As I watched, a large cumulus cloud hovered over the next ridge between us and our planned destination that day, Mazama Village in Crater Lake National ... Read more
The children in the ExCEL summer school class at Cascade Locks Elementary know that where they live, the Columbia River Gorge, is a special place. They also know their town is within a national scenic area. When a photo of Oregon’s iconic volcano flashes on the screen, they can immediately ... Read more
It’s wildfire season and that means campfires are now banned in multiple spots along the Pacific Crest Trail. And it’s pretty much a sure thing that officials will expand restrictions to new places in the coming weeks.
It is your responsibility to know what the current restrictions are for the ... Read more
(Editor’s note: This story was original printed in the spring issue of the Pacific Crest Trail Communicator magazine.)
When a wildfire ripped through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area last summer and fall, the big question was: “How bad is it?
The river is the dividing line between Oregon ... Read more
Thankfully rain has arrived in some places, but there still are major wildfires burning on or near the Pacific Crest Trail in Northern California, Oregon and Washington.
Thick smoke and safety concerns have forced PCTA volunteer leaders to cancel several maintenance projects scheduled for late summer and early fall. The ... Read more
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