People have asked me to show a map of the PCT, so they can see where the trail goes. This is the PCT map, and a few fun facts to go along with it. I blew it up extra big so you can get a feel of the terrain and the basic areas where the trail is located.
What is the PCT?
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) (No, it is not the Pacific Coast Trail) is a 2,650 mile hiking trail that runs contiguously from the Mexican border at Campo, California to the Canadian border near Manning Park, BC. 2,650 Miles is the specified length of the trail but not the actual length. The true length from Mexico to Canada is 2,655.4 miles and the trail travels beyond the Canadian border to Manning Park making the total trail length 2,663.5 Miles.
The PCT is a designated national scenic trail. It traverses three states (California, Oregon and Washington), climbs nearly 60 major mountain passes, descends into 19 major canyons, passes more than 1,000 lakes and tarns, 3 national monuments, 7 national parks, 24 national forests, and travels through 37 federally mandated wildernesses.
The seven national parks are:
Elevation Gain: 314,711 feet
Lowest Point: Cascade Locks, Oregon (140 feet)
Highest Point: Forester Pass, California (13,153 feet)
California Length: 1,698.8 Miles
Oregon Length: 456.8 Miles
Washington Length: 499.8 Miles
California Elevation Gain: 192,339 feet
Oregon Elevation Gain: 49,647 feet
Washington Elevation Gain: 72,725 feet
Most PCT thru-hikers begin their journey at the US/Mexican Border in late April at the Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off (ADZPCTKO). The goal is to depart early enough in the year to get through the Southern California desert before it gets too hot and with hopes of arriving at the Sierra Nevada when the snow pack has melted sufficiently. Once through the Sierra Nevada, the race is on to make it to Canada before weather conditions make sections impassible.
Amazing Fun Fact: Fewer people have completed a thru hike on the PCT, than have climbed Mt. Everest.
The PCT is a designated national scenic trail. It traverses three states (California, Oregon and Washington), climbs nearly 60 major mountain passes, descends into 19 major canyons, passes more than 1,000 lakes and tarns, 3 national monuments, 7 national parks, 24 national forests, and travels through 37 federally mandated wildernesses.
The seven national parks are:
- Sequoia National Park
- Kings Canyon National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Crater Lake National Park
- Mt. Rainier National Park
- North Cascades National Park
Elevation Gain: 314,711 feet
Lowest Point: Cascade Locks, Oregon (140 feet)
Highest Point: Forester Pass, California (13,153 feet)
California Length: 1,698.8 Miles
Oregon Length: 456.8 Miles
Washington Length: 499.8 Miles
California Elevation Gain: 192,339 feet
Oregon Elevation Gain: 49,647 feet
Washington Elevation Gain: 72,725 feet
Most PCT thru-hikers begin their journey at the US/Mexican Border in late April at the Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off (ADZPCTKO). The goal is to depart early enough in the year to get through the Southern California desert before it gets too hot and with hopes of arriving at the Sierra Nevada when the snow pack has melted sufficiently. Once through the Sierra Nevada, the race is on to make it to Canada before weather conditions make sections impassible.
Amazing Fun Fact: Fewer people have completed a thru hike on the PCT, than have climbed Mt. Everest.
