What is the PCT?

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The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 2,650+ mile route that crosses the U.S. from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, running through California, Oregon, and Washington. The trail passes through seven national parks and dozens of national forests and wilderness areas. Elevations range from 140 to over 13,000 feet above sea level.

Each year approximately 300 people attempt to hike the entire trail in a single trip (known as thru-hiking) and only about half finish.. A thru-hike typically takes four to five months to complete. Most hikers start at the Mexican border in late April and need to average about 20 miles per day in order to reach Canada before winter storms start hitting the northern Cascades in early October.