What You Need to Know About Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), stretching from the Mexican/U.S. border to the Canadian border, is one of the world's most iconic long-distance trail systems. This epic footpath spans approximately 2,600 miles, connecting historic trails through diverse landscapes. It traverses the arid deserts of Southern California, climbs through the rugged Sierra Nevada, and winds across the volcanic peaks and lush forests of the Oregon and Washington Cascades. Each year, tens of thousands of people tread these well-marked trails—some as day hikers, others tackling specific sections, and approximately 2,000 to 3,000 brave souls attempt a thru-hike with the goal of completing the entire PCT in one season. 

Much of the Pacific Crest Trail has seen foot traffic for centuries. Early Native Americans, followed by fur trappers, miners and pioneers walked through these idyllic pastures, sublime valleys and high alpine passes. By the 1920s, there was a concentrated effort to link and preserve these trails. In the 1930s, the entire Mexico to Canada stretch was done by 40 YMCA relay teams of 14-18-year-olds. Passing through 25 national forests and seven national parks, with over 50% winding through wilderness areas, the PCT attained National Scenic Trail status in 1968.

There are 30 sections of the PCT, each about 90 miles long. California hosts 60%, Oregon 23%, and Washington the remaining 17%. While an official thru hike can proceed south to north or vice versa, the traditional trek starts in the California border town of Campo and ends in Manning Park, BC. The official path can change annually due to deep snow, raging rivers, forest fires, and landslides; The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) makes the official call, which can add or subtract a dozen or more miles.

“Hiking the PCT is hard enough to make it rewarding but doable if you prioritize, prepare, and persevere,” says PCT thru-hiker, William Emerson. “Each section of the Pacific Trail isn’t terribly difficult if the conditions are right.” If you break each section into day hikes, a relatively fit hiker wouldn’t have any problem. It’s when you link hundreds of miles in a single push that the going gets tough. Preparation, hiking and backpacking experience, navigational skills, and good luck with weather is crucial. Hiking or backpacking on the PCT is an accessible goal, but thru hiking is a much bigger challenge.

The trail can be completed in under 100 days by ultrarunners, though most hikers plan for four to six months, covering 20 to 25 miles daily with rest days in trail towns. In trail towns, you restock your supplies, pick up boxes of food and equipment that you’ve mailed to yourself care of the local post office, eat real food, and sometimes, sleep in a real bed. 

 Some people are now “flip flopping” the PCT. Rather than a continuous thru hike, they hike specific sections of the trail, depending on heat, rain, snow and forest fires. Then they drive or fly to hike the additional sections.

Day and section hikers need entry permits for national parks and wilderness areas. If you’re planning on hiking at least 500 consecutive miles, PCTA.org will give you a Thru-Permit for free—a $10 donation is recommended. You’ll still have to pay for pay-campsites and trailhead parking, but there’s also plenty of free “wild” camping available. Other permits to consider are a  California Fire Permit.  You don’t need a fire permit in Oregon or Washington, but always check current fire regulations. And if you make it to Canada, you’ll need your passport for entry and exit.

People estimate PCT hiking costs range between $4000 to $8000. Expenses cover equipment, apparel, food, transportation, and money to spend in trail towns.

The best way to prepare for a PCT thru hike is to build up your skill level. Spend a summer or two hiking and backpacking. A good pre-thru-hike training course is Washington’s Wonderland Trail, which takes you 93-miles through alpine meadows, and old growth forests on the lower flanks of Mt. Rainier. Or try 90-mile sections of the Long Trail in Vermont or the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota.  

Realize that thru hiking can have mental challenges as well as physical. Many people join up with other PCT hikers for emotional support, or plan to do the trek with friends and family.  

And no matter how far you hike on the PCT, practice  Leave No Trace  ethics.

There are always dangers when you are in the backcountry; if you are hiking for a day or a season, always leave information with a trusted source about your plans. An estimated 15 to 20 people have died hiking the trail, although not all of them were thru hikers. While hikers have succumbed to falls, drowning and heat stroke, there are also dangers of thunderstorms, falling trees, wildlife, wildfires and hypothermia.  

Gearing up for the PCT takes some thought, especially if you are planning on a thru hike. Light is right is a mantra you’ll often hear; every ounce counts when you are carrying a full pack. However, if your equipment isn’t durable, you run the risk of gear failure. You’ll need a tent, sleeping bag, foam pad, cooking supplies, a headlamp, and of course, a  backpack. The equipment list is slightly more complicated for a sectional or thru hike attempt, with the focus on saving weight whenever you can. 

For apparel, you’ll want dependable  hiking gear. Consider a lightweight jacket, a solid pair of  hiking boots or shoes, and a backpack to carry all of your supplies. Just make sure your boots are broken in. Some thru hikers swap out their footwear mid trail, with a lighter pair for the Southern California Desert, and a more waterproof selection for sections with snow, mud or rain. 

Because the PCT has become an institution in the thru hiking world, and thanks to the hard work of the Pacific Crest Trail Association, there are trail markers and annual maintenance. PCTA also has plenty of volunteer opportunities; you can get some trail experience in a controlled environment, so you’ll know what to expect the following season. Other resources include postholer.com, a free trail guide with trail maps and a collection of real-time journals.

PMAGS.com’s  A Quick and Dirty Guide to the Pacific Crest Trail  offers no-nonsense advice on distances, trail conditions, and costs. Craig's PCT Planner is also a step-by-step resource; you can click on “New Plan,” fill in your start and end points, pace, hours hiked per day, and an elevation correction factor and hit “send,” and voila, you have a plan! The FarOut App is also very helpful for finding camp spots and water.

Well more than half of the 2000 to 3000 people who attempt the PCT end up cutting their excursion short. Many run out of time or motivation, others are deterred by weather. Sometimes, its injury, as sprained ankles, bug bites, and wrenched knees take their toll. Of course, there’s no shame in calling it quits. Thanks to the hard work of the PCTA and protection by the federal government, the PCT will be there for generations to come.