Skywalker Lauds Pacific Crest Trail Documentary, ‘Tell it on the Mountain’

The highest compliment I can pay to the recently released Pacific Crest Trail documentary, Tell it on the Mountain, is that it ruined my life. What? Well, okay. It may not have ruined my whole life, but it sure has clouded my intermediate term future. I had already done the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), followed by Europe’s most popular footpath, the Camino de Santiago, and the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. So I had...

Read More

Snow Levels on the Pacific Crest Trail are Lower than Normal.

. Snow LSnow levels on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) are one of the key variables of a thru-hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. All winter, potential thru-hikers follow various websites trying to get an indication of how much snow there is the current year compared to normal. Well, I have some good news: the California Department of Water Resources reports that snow levels are running about 80% of normal amounts. That is very good news for all but...

Read More

Pacific Crest Trail Kickoff Party April 26th-28th. Essential for Thru-Hikers.

  The annual Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Kickoff will be held at Lake Morena County State Park, California on April 26-28, 2013. We know you’re anxious to register! In 2012, registration opened on March 17, and we were essentially full by March 21. They expect to be on a similar schedule this year. Yes, full in four days. And there’s a good reason why. This is one heckuva party. Any outdoorsperson would love soaking up all the...

Read More

Pacific Crest Trail Hikers Will Face Coldest Weather in Northern Cascades

 The Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) face their weather trials and tribulations inversely. As noted previously, the AT starts at its very highest elevations in the southern Appalachians. And to thru-hike that 2,180 mile national scenic trail, it is necessary to begin in early spring. Thus, you can expect cold, wet weather in the early going, that can border on dangerous. The PCT is just the opposite. PCT thru-hikers start...

Read More

Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Get Early Entry into ‘High Sierra’

The so-called ‘High Sierra’ is the most renowned part of the entire 2,663 mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). This section, beginning at mile 703 at Kennedy Meadows, reaches the very highest points on the American mainland. PCT thru-hikers have traditionally entered the High Sierra on June 15, Ray Day. Going in before that time is considered dangerous due to the heavy snow melt and swollen streams. However, due to the record low snow...

Read More

The ‘High Sierra’ on the Pacific Crest Trail

After 703 miles in the desert, PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) hikers enter the so-called ‘High Sierra’. This section traverses the highest points on the entire American mainland, including Mount Whitney (14,494 feet) and Forrester’s Pass. Most hikers consider this section the highlight of the PCT. Indeed, the High Sierra has an alpen glow, that mixed in with the daunting peaks and snow, give it a certain ethereal majesty. PCT hikers...

Read More