One of the longest hiking trails in the US and the world.
The start and end of the route are the Mexican and Canadian borders, respectively. In reality, it is slightly extended to the Canadian territory.
The PCT Northern Terminus Trail is an amazing hike within E.C. Manning Provincial Park that takes hikers to the northern tip of the Pacific Crest Trail.
So, make sure to bring your passport to complete your journey in the Canadian Manning Provincial Park or to cross the border from Canada to the USA if you go from North to South!
Along the entire western coast of America, from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska, stretches the longest mountain system in the world - the Cordillera mountains. In the center of North America, the Cordilleras expand and split into several parts. The ridge in the eastern part is commonly called the Rocky Mountains, and the western edge of the Cordillera is represented by such mountain systems as the Sierra Nevada (California), the Cascade Mountains (Oregon and Washington), and the coastal ranges of British Columbia (Canada). On these heterogeneous ridges, towering above the Pacific coast, the Pacific Mountain Trail (PCT - from Pacific Crest Trail) was laid. Its length is 4270 kilometers (2,650 mi).
The route of the trail passes far from big cities through the picturesque corners of wild nature untouched by man.
The Pacific Crest Trail passes through 25 national forests and seven national parks.
Choosing the direction of the journey, keep in mind that north-south trekking is more difficult due to the shorter 'warm' season, as the snow melts later in the northern Cascades than in the relatively low, dry mountains of Southern California.
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Pacific Crest Trail Southern Terminus
It is the most popular starting point and at the same time, one of the most challenging parts of the PCT is simply getting to the southern start, in the middle of the desert by the U.S.-Mexico border.
Most PCT thru-hikers (and many section hikers) hike northbound from the PCT Southern Terminus. This terminus is just on the US/Mexican border.
You can find more details here.
Lake Morena County Park
Lake Morena sits at an elevation of 3,000 feet. It is the most remote lake in all of San Diego County.
The park features 8 miles of non-motorized multi-use trails.
Great views across Lake Morena and being on the ridge, a view of the quiet Morena Village to the north. Do not miss tree-like big berry manzanita. It is native to California and Baja California.
Scissors Crossing
Parking lot with access to the Pacific Crest Trail, Scissors Crossing is a large, flat, dirt area located inside Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
The park is named after 18th-century Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza.
The biggest attraction of the park is the wildflowers. The best time to visit to enjoy flowers is early-late March depending on when the rains end.
Cleveland National Forest
The Cleveland National Forest is the southernmost National Forest in California.
The Cleveland National Forest is a very special place in southern California. The forest is a haven for wildlife and plants. The wild shrub and tree-covered mountains are remnants of a landscape that at one time covered most of southern California. With the settling of missions, towns, cities, and suburbs, populated areas now surround the mountains.
Mount San Jacinto State Park
Trails wind through this park at the peak of Mount San Jacinto, accessible by tram via Palm Springs. -Google. The deeply weathered summit of Mount San Jacinto stands 10,804 feet above sea level, the highest point in the San Jacinto Range and the second highest in Southern California. The mountain's magnificent granite peaks, subalpine forests, and fern-bordered mountain meadows offer a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy a scenic, high-country wilderness area.
Pacific Crest Trail Snow Creek Trailhead
This hike follows the Pacific Crest Trail from Snow Creek Road up the northern flank of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Big Bear Lake
A cool, pine-scented escape. At an altitude of 6,759 feet (2,060 meters), Big Bear Lake is a hub for alpine recreation. Known for its famed Snow Summit and Bear Mountain resorts in the winter and its seven-mile lake in the summer, Big Bear serves as a year-round Southern California escape.
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area (PCT)
Park sitting along the Pacific Crest Trail is home to Silverwood Lake reservoir & hiking trails.-Google.
A popular destination for Angelenos who visit the cool waters of Silverwood Lake to hike, fish, swim, and paddle. The recreation area features a wide variety of activities to enjoy, including campgrounds for overnight stays, boat ramps and rentals for on-water enjoyment, swim beaches, and multi-use trails for horseback riding, biking, and hiking.
Mount Baden-Powell Trail
The trailhead to the summit of Mt Baden-Powell (9,399 feet). Follow the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and do not miss a monument for Mt Baden-Powell’s namesake, Lord Baden-Powell (founder of the Boy Scouts movement), a barren saddle with jaw-dropping views, and a 1500-year-old limber pine. And at the summit, you’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Tehachapi Mountain Park
The Tehachapi area is known for being located nearby Tehachapi Loop (a railfan site) and Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park (the ancestral home of the Kawaiisu Indians).
It is important to mention that due to the extremely sensitive nature of the site, Tomo-Kahni is available to the public by tour only.
Pacific Crest Trail - Walker Pass Trailhead
During the Gold Rush of 1848–1855, Walker’s Pass led hundreds of pioneers into California. This trail followed down the Owens River Valley, through western Inyo County, passing by Owens Lake, and through Walker’s Pass to the South Fork of the Kern River. It then traveled to the South and North Forks junction at Isabella lake, where the trail split off into several different directions.
Chimney Peak Wilderness
About 8 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail pass through a portion of this wilderness.
Black bears, mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions, and other wildlife can all be seen in the area in abundance.
Isabella Lake
Water Sports
- On Lake Isabella: boating, sailing, water skiing, jet-skiing, windsurfing, and fishing
- On the Kern River (preserved by Congress as Wild and Scenic): whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing
Cottonwood Lakes Trail Head
Located near Horseshoe Meadows, the Cottonwood Lakes Basin has many pristine alpine lakes and creeks located between Mount Langley and Cirque Peak. Side trails branch to Muir Lake, Hidden Lake, South Fork Lakes, Cirque Lake.
Pacific Crest Trail - Glen Aulin Trailhead
Yosemite National Park is known all over the world for its stunning granite domes and waterfalls. What many people don’t know though, is that the easy-to-access part of the park is only 5% of the total park. To truly experience its beauty, you need to get out into the backcountry and start to see...
Bubbs Creek and Rae Lakes Loop Trailhead
Rugged wilderness trail passing waterfalls, clear lakes & a craggy mountain pass, with campsites.-Google.
Sonora Pass
Historic wagon road, now paved & open seasonally, curving past scenic mountain views & trails.-Google.
Highway 108 (Sonora Pass Road) runs east-to-west through scenic National Forest lands across the Sierra Range near Bridgeport, California. The pass connects Mono and Tuolumne Counties about an hour north of Mammoth Lakes, California on Highway 395. The pass is narrow and steep in spots, so it is not recommended for long or large vehicles. Open to vehicles in summer only.
Echo Summit
The highest point on U.S. Hwy 50 & site of a high-altitude track & field training center in the ’60s.-Google.
Granite Chief Wilderness
Located at the headwaters of the American River, the Granite Chief was designated a Wilderness area because of its pristine nature, natural beauty, and potential to provide primitive, non-motorized recreation opportunities. The Wilderness reserves a scenic area of exposed rock formations, granite cliffs, and glacier-carved valleys, forests, and meadows.
Pacific Crest Trail - Warner Valley Trailhead
The trailhead here provides access to Drakesbad Guest Ranch, Boiling Springs Lake, Devils Kitchen, Drake Lake, and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
Hat Creek Rim Scenic Viewpoint
Outfitted with viewing scopes, this overlook offers a great vantage point of Lassen Peak (10,457 feet), Mount Shasta (14,162 feet), Crater Peak (8,677 feet), ...
Soda Creek Trailhead (PCT)
Start at the Soda Creek Trailhead for a pleasant walk on the PCT in the woods leading to Root Creek Falls, an exceptional waterfall in the awesome Castle Crags.
Total Length: 5 miles
Mumbo Summit (Gumboot PCT Trailhead)
Picayune Summit (PCT)
Deadfall Meadow Trailhead
Parks Creek Trailhead
Lovers Camp Trailhead
Mt. Ashland House
Southern Oregon's only ski area.
Mount Ashland is the highest peak in the Siskiyou Mountains, located just 8.6 miles (14 km) from the city of Ashland.
Thielsen Creek Meadows
This trail connects the Howlock Mountain Trail #1448 to Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 within Mt. Thielsen Wilderness.
Dry Creek Falls Trail (PCT)
Start on the Oregon side of the Bridge of the Gods to find the beautiful Columbia Gorge waterfall.
Dry Creek Falls plunges 74 feet over a basalt wall in a secluded amphitheater near Cascade Locks. It is easily reached via the Pacific Crest Trail and is a popular destination for those interested in a short, woodsy hike with plenty of Gorge ambiance. At the base of the falls are the remains of water diversion works. In the 1930s, the rapidly expanding town of Cascade Locks got its water supply from this location during the construction of the Bonneville Dam. The creek was channeled into a tunnel and thus ran 'dry' on its original bed. Almost the entire area of this hike was affected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. You'll see blackened tree trunks and a recovering understory, but most of the canopy remains intact.
Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail - Bridge of the Gods Trailhead (PCT)
In the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, hub of world-class hiking and bicycling, the Bridge of the Gods sits at the convergence of The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, three National Historic Trails, and the Pacific Crest Trail.
Sky Lakes Wilderness
The area includes three major lake basins as it stretches along the crest of the volcanic Cascade Mountains from the border of Crater Lake National Park.
The Cabins at Mazama Village
Property Location
With a stay at The Cabins at Mazama Village in White City, you'll be in a national park close to TouVelle State Recreation Site and Upper Table Rock. This cabin is within the vicinity of The Expo and Crater Rock Museum.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 40 guestrooms. Bathrooms with showers are provided.
Dining
Enjoy a satisfying meal at a restaurant serving The Cabins at Mazama Village guests. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily for a fee.
Business, Other Amenities
Free self-parking is available onsite.
Diamond Peak Wilderness
Diamond Peak Wilderness area covers 52,611 total acres. Lakes from one to 28 acres in size dot the landscape. Approximately 14 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail pass through this wilderness. Another 38 miles of trail, including the 10-mile Diamond Peak Trail, stretches the length of the west side of the peak.
Pacific Crest Trailhead - Willamette Pass
Ideal for long day hikes and weekend backpacking.
The PCT traverses 118 miles (189 km) of eastern Lane County through two wildernesses of diverse landscapes including old-growth forests, lava rock, and alpine lakes. Ideal for long day hikes and weekend backpacking. Directions: take Highway 58 70 miles (113 km) from Eugene to milepost 62.5, just past the Willamette Pass Ski Area. The trailhead will be signed and on the north side of the highway.
Obsidian Trail
The Obsidian loop is a very popular 11.5-mile loop hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Mount Jefferson Wilderness
Olallie Lake Scenic Area
Olallie Lake is one of Oregon’s best hidden gems for families who want to camp like it's in the 1970s again.
Campground: Crest Camp/Trailhead
A very small, primitive campground. This site has easy access to good hiking and horseback riding on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Packwood Glacier
The glacier is adjacent to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and the Goat Rocks Wilderness.
William O. Douglas Wilderness
While significant portions of the William O. Douglas Wilderness are high elevation forest, the overall topography is varied. The western peaks are characterized by high elevation lakes in a forested setting, and the eastern slopes drop to mid-elevation pine forest, alpine peaks, bare ridges, and exposed basalt tables and points.
Pacific Crest Trail - White Pass North Trailhead
Starting in well-protected sub-alpine wilderness and descending into heavily-logged, privately-owned land, this stretch of the PCT offers a dramatic illustration of the effects of public land protection and private industry on Washington's landscape.
Pacific Crest Trail at Chinook Pass
A high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.655m (5,430ft) above sea level.
Kendall Katwalk PCT North Trail Head
If the name Kendall Katwalk conjures up an image of a narrow pathway blasted out of a steeply sloped rock face, that’s part of it. But the whole package includes old growth forest, gorgeous wildflowers, and stunning views into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from both sides of the pass below Kendall Peak, where the Katwalk begins.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area
The rugged, expansive area features mountains, lakes & forests with 615 miles of hiking trails.-Google.
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness showcases some of the most astonishing terrain in the Cascade Range: sawtooth ridges, sharp summit spires, ice-scooped U-shaped valleys, and hundreds of glacially excavated lake basins.
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
Nestled between mountain ranges, camping location offers fishing, boating & hiking opportunities.-Google.
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area—one of the nation's deepest lakes at a depth of 1,500 ft.
North Cascades National Park
Pasayten Wilderness
More than 600 miles of trails provide access to the Wilderness, many of them deceptively gentle at the start and become progressively labor-intensive as they climb up multiple switchbacks into the higher elevations. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) crosses the area north-south for about 32 miles. The Boundary Trail begins in the southeast corner of the Wilderness and meanders north and west for over 73 miles near the Canadian border to eventually join the Pacific Crest Trail. READ MORE ->
Pacific Crest Trail Northern Terminus
Monument 83 Trailhead (PCT)
Monument 78 can be found in Washington along the famous Pacific Crest Trail. While the Monument itself is located on the Washington side of the US-Canadian border, accessing it from the Washington side is difficult to do in a single day.