So, you’ve got your sights set on hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Stretching for approximately 2,655 miles, the PCT crosses three states, 48 wilderness areas, 25 national forests, and six national parks between the US-Mexico border in the south and the Canadian border in the north.
It’s a truly epic undertaking, and one that you’ll have to devote usually up to six months to walk the entire thing (a ‘thru-hike’ in American backpacking parlance). But if you do manage to complete the entire route, it’s likely that your life will be changed in one way or another.
If you don’t have the privilege of being able to drop every commitment for half a year, there are also boundless opportunities for section-hiking, whether’s that’s for one day or thirty.
With such an enormous distance to cover, the PCT is incredibly diverse in its landscape and experiences. From the scorching deserts in Southern California to the tranquil mountain lakes of the Cascade Range in the north, it’s a trail that showcases some of the finest scenery not just in the American West but in the entire world.
Of course, it also requires a fair amount of preparation, especially if you want to complete a thru-hike. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Cicerone, who have brought out Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, an excellent and comprehensive guidebook to the PCT for both thru and section hikers, to bring you this overview of what you need to know about hiking the PCT.
The route, and where to start
The trail begins at a monument at the Mexican border around 50 miles east of San Diego. From there, the route continues through the deserts of Southern California up into the foothills and mountains of the Sierra Nevada range. You’ll then climb the length of the spine of California before descending into Oregon, before the route picks up altitude again as it ascends the Cascade Range into Washington. The northern terminus lies at the Canadian border, where another monument marks the official finish line of the PCT.
What makes the route so special is that it combines the spectacle of rugged mountains and wild forests with everyday moments of beauty. Interactions with fellow hikers, the peace of a night under the stars, the gracefulness of deer in the woods, and the serendipity of ‘trail magic’: random acts of kindness shown to hikers by strangers, such as food or water left at a particularly tough section or the offer of a hot shower and a bed for a night.
The actual route changes every year due to trail upgrades and closures, often caused by natural threats such as fires or landslips. However, it’s approximately 2,655 miles long, and is mostly well way-marked and graded so that it’s suitable for horse riders as well as hikers.
Conventional wisdom says to start in the south and head north, beginning your hike sometime between the start of March and before the end of April. This timing allows you to leave the desert behind before it gets too hot, while giving you enough time to finish before the snowfall in the north poses a serious threat. However, ideally you’ll adjust your start to the conditions of that year, since you also won’t want to reach the mountains of the Sierra Nevada before the snow has begun to melt.
Sections and stages
As the PCT covers such a vast distance, it’s useful to break it down into sections to be able to plan and envision your progress more effectively. Cicerone’s guidebook divides the route into 100 stages which are grouped into 11 sections. Each stage is generally a one- or two-day walk, and allows you to plan things like camping sites and water points without thinking too far ahead, while still providing the scope of larger chunks to cover resupply and rest stops.
This approach also allows for easy planning of section hiking, whether that’s for quick day hikes or completing the PCT in sections dispersed over years, which may prove much more achievable for those who can’t find the time to hike the entire route in one go.
Food and water supplies
Since the route traverses wilderness areas, you’ll often be walking for many days at a time between settlements. This means you’ll have to be self-sufficient when it comes to food and water, along with sleeping arrangements.
When it comes to water, you’ll be able to find fresh springs or creeks along most of the route. In other parts, particularly in the southern desert sections, you’ll have to carry enough water or rely on caches left behind by benevolent strangers. For the most part, you can be confident in the purity of the water. However, it’s best practice to filter water sources, especially those left behind by others. You can read our guide to the best water purifiers here.
You can usually resupply with food every four to five days, although in some cases, you might need to carry up to 10 days worth of food. You’ll more than likely want a way to cook food as well. Gas stoves are the most common way to cook for thru-hiking the PCT, and many places you’ll stop along the way will sell gas canisters.
However, they may have limited grocery choices, so it’s common practice to either mail in your own resupply drops in advance or hitchhike into larger towns to pick up food.
Some people choose to roll with whatever food they can find along the way, while others organise supply drops for the entire route.
If you’re fairly flexible with what you eat, you’ll be able to hike most of the PCT while relying on food you can buy (or be gifted) along the way.
Sleeping and equipment
To hike the PCT, you’ll need to be comfortable with camping for the majority of the walk. You’ll want to bring shelter, whether that’s a tent or tarp, so that you can shelter from rain and adverse weather. However, where possible, we recommend simply sleeping outdoors on your mat so you can enjoy the stars at night and sunrise in the morning. It’ll help immerse you in the trail even more.
A three-season sleeping bag that’s rated to around -6C should be enough for the conditions you’ll face, along with a comfortable and insulating sleeping mat.
Most of the time, you’ll overnight in ‘tent sites’, which aren’t established camp sites but are places where hikers have previously spent the night. By sticking to these places, you’ll help reduce environmental damage and lessen the human footprint on nature.
Occasionally, you’ll have the opportunity to sleep in official campsites with picnic tables and even toilets, even more rarely, you’ll get the chance to pay for lodgings and enjoy fresh linen and a hot shower.
Cicerone’s Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail guidebook shows you tent sites, campsites, accommodation, shops, and reliable water points along the entire route, which is an invaluable resource for thru-hikers.
What should I pack?
Aside from sleeping kit, you’ll also need to be a little bit clever when it comes to choosing what other kit to take, since you’ll be faced with sun-soaked days, chilly mountain nights, snow-covered paths, windswept rocky trails: basically any kind of trail and weather condition you can imagine.
You’ll also need your gear to be light enough for you to carry day in, day out, but tough enough to survive months of constant usage.
With this in mind, if there was ever a time to splash on some gear, hiking the PCT might be it. Just remember to test everything you plan to take so you know you can rely on it once you’re there.
When it comes to clothes, you’ll want a lightweight and stowable rain jacket and puffer jacket to keep you warm and dry. Most of the time, we’d suggest hiking shorts are the way to go, although if you’d prefer hiking trousers or tights, make sure they’re lightweight enough to live in.
A hat is essential, and a beanie for night time is always a good idea. When you’re around camp, a pair of sandals or flip-flops are invaluable to give your feet (and shoes) a chance to breathe.
Speaking of shoes, there’s no right answer here – just choose what works for you. Some people prefer heavy backpacking boots, but many prefer hiking shoes or trail runners which can be more comfortable, dry more quickly, and allow your feet to vent better. Just make sure whatever you choose fits properly, and be prepared to need another pair (at least) at some point on the trail!
Aside from that, basic toiletries, a first-aid kit of essential bandages, antiseptic, stomach relief, and ibuprofen, a quick-drying towel, sunscreen, and a toilet trowel are all essential pieces of gear.
Electronic equipment such as a phone and a rechargeable battery can help you navigate and keep in touch with the outside world, but a satellite SOS device such as a Garmin inReach is also worth considering.
You can check out a full list of suggest equipment and kit considerations, including when or where you might need certain things, in the Cicerone guidebook.
How fit do I need to be?
Despite the distance and terrain, you don’t actually need to be an athlete or an super-experienced backpacker to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Many ‘ordinary’ people hike it each year, building their trail fitness and learning new skills along the way.
However, one of the most important things to have is mental fortitude. You’ll face tough days and challenging conditions where you’re sore, tired, and hungry, and there’ll be voices inside your head pressuring yourself to give up. You’ll need strong willpower and discipline to be able to successfully thru-hike the PCT.
Aside from that, a basic level of fitness and practice carrying a load up hills and over distances is well-advised, as is good flexibility and mobility. Cardio exercise, strength training, and yoga can all help, but don’t let the thought of a vigorous training regime be a barrier to entry.
Permits
One more thing to consider are permits. If you’re not a US citizen, you’ll very likely need a visa to be able to stay in the US long enough to complete the hike. Aside from the visa, there are also backcountry permits that are required to enter some of the national parks, forests, and wilderness areas along the route of the PCT.
It’s possible to get a permit from the Pacific Crest Trail Association that covers everything you need along the entire route, but these are limited to 8,000 per year. For northbound hikers, these are given out on a half-lottery, half-first come first served basis. For southbound hikers, these are released purely on a first come first served basis. You can find out more and how to apply on the PCTA website here.
You can also get each necessary permit individually, but which ones you’ll need changes each year so you’ll have to do your own research. Aside from that, you’ll also need a California Campfire permit which allows you to cook with gas stoves and at recognised campsites.
Find out more about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
Before jumping on a plane and starting your own PCT journey, there’s a lot to consider, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There’s plenty of information online and loads of useful blogs and trip reports from people who have done it, so you can learn from their mistakes before you make them yourself.
However, there’s no better way to plan a big trip than using Cicerone’s Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Unlike a single, bulky volume, this lightweight and modular guidebook is divided into three essential parts: a planning guide and two detailed map booklets.
· The planning guide (130g) covers everything from permit requirements and suggested itineraries for thru-hikers to essential gear advice and insights into the trail’s history and wildlife. It’s the perfect companion for pre-trip preparation.
· Once on the trail, the two map books – one for the southern section (200g) and one for the northern section (170g) – provide detailed waymarked routes, 1:100,000 topographic maps, and essential information on campsites, water sources, and resupply locations.
· Designed for flexible planning, these books break the trail into 100 manageable 1–3 day stages, making them ideal for both thru-hikers and section hikers tackling shorter portions of the route.
You can get the whole box set for £34.95, find out more here.