The 5 sections
of the PCTSouthern California (the desert)
Campo (mile 0) to Kennedy Meadows (mile 702)
Also called “the desert” by locals and members of the PCT community, it’s a hot and dry section but it’s not a sand desert: the areas crossed by the trail are still quite populated, and the fauna and flora are surprisingly rich and diverse. The terrain comprises completely flat sections, rolling hills and steeper parts. It’s globally easy to hike from a technical point of view. What makes this section challenging is water and weather: water is scarce and supplies must be carefully planned with the help of PCTA’s water report. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during the day, and drop sharply during the night.
Also called “the desert” by locals and members of the PCT community, it’s a hot and dry section but it’s not a sand desert: the areas crossed by the trail are still quite populated, and the fauna and flora are surprisingly rich and diverse. The terrain comprises completely flat sections, rolling hills and steeper parts. It’s globally easy to hike from a technical point of view. What makes this section challenging is water and weather: water is scarce and supplies must be carefully planned with the help of PCTA’s water report. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during the day, and drop sharply during the night.
Sierra Nevada
Kennedy Meadows (mile 702) to Echo Lake (mile 1.092)
Probably the most dramatic section of the PCT, it’s the one that most thru-hikers long for and fear at the same time. It might also be the least surprising for Europeans who are familiar with the Alps, since they will find very similar landscapes there. The Sierra Nevada is high: all of the PCT on this section is above 6.500 ft (2.000m). There are streams and lakes everywhere so finding water is never an issue. There should be no snowfalls during the hiking seasons, and one will only meet snow patches on the passes. But weather can change quickly and keeping a close eye on the snow report and weather forecast is a must before leaving Kennedy Meadows. The trail can get technical as you would expect it in that kind of environment, but it always remains on the hiking side and never confines to mountaineering (as long as there are no snowfalls). Temperatures were moderately cold in the summer of 2018, but can get very cold depending on weather evolution. From Mount Whitney (mile 767) to Tuolumne Meadows (mile 942), the PCT merges with the sublime John Muir Trail (JMT).
Probably the most dramatic section of the PCT, it’s the one that most thru-hikers long for and fear at the same time. It might also be the least surprising for Europeans who are familiar with the Alps, since they will find very similar landscapes there. The Sierra Nevada is high: all of the PCT on this section is above 6.500 ft (2.000m). There are streams and lakes everywhere so finding water is never an issue. There should be no snowfalls during the hiking seasons, and one will only meet snow patches on the passes. But weather can change quickly and keeping a close eye on the snow report and weather forecast is a must before leaving Kennedy Meadows. The trail can get technical as you would expect it in that kind of environment, but it always remains on the hiking side and never confines to mountaineering (as long as there are no snowfalls). Temperatures were moderately cold in the summer of 2018, but can get very cold depending on weather evolution. From Mount Whitney (mile 767) to Tuolumne Meadows (mile 942), the PCT merges with the sublime John Muir Trail (JMT).
Northern California
Echo Lake (mile 1.092) to California/Oregon border (mile 1.692)
A lot of hikers dread this section because of its reputation of being dull after the splendors of the High Sierra. I personally liked it very much for its beauty. Although the landscapes are still quite mountainy, the weather is way hotter than in the Sierra, both during the day and night. The terrain is easier than in the Sierra and very much like a good old Sunday hike.
A lot of hikers dread this section because of its reputation of being dull after the splendors of the High Sierra. I personally liked it very much for its beauty. Although the landscapes are still quite mountainy, the weather is way hotter than in the Sierra, both during the day and night. The terrain is easier than in the Sierra and very much like a good old Sunday hike.
Oregon
California/Oregon border (mile 1.692) to Cascade Locks (mile 2.147)
Oregon is by far the easiest section of the PCT: it’s almost flat and some hikers take the so-called “Oregon challenge” of hiking the 455 miles of this section in just 2 weeks. In my opinion it was also the dullest and least exciting. The trail goes mostly through lava fields and forests, but the damages caused by wildfires over the last 10 years have disfigured the landscapes, and more than often what probably used to be lush forests is now vast fields of ashes planted with carbonized tree stumps. Almost at sea-level, you can expect to have hot weather, although for me it was not as hot as in Northern California.
Oregon is by far the easiest section of the PCT: it’s almost flat and some hikers take the so-called “Oregon challenge” of hiking the 455 miles of this section in just 2 weeks. In my opinion it was also the dullest and least exciting. The trail goes mostly through lava fields and forests, but the damages caused by wildfires over the last 10 years have disfigured the landscapes, and more than often what probably used to be lush forests is now vast fields of ashes planted with carbonized tree stumps. Almost at sea-level, you can expect to have hot weather, although for me it was not as hot as in Northern California.
Washington and the Cascade range
Cascade Locks (mile 2.147) to Canadian border (mile 2.652)
It’s the section I know the least since I only hiked 140 miles of it, from Chinook Pass to Stevens Pass (if you’re wondering why, I’ll soon publish a post about this). Nevertheless, what I saw of it was absolutely magical and made me wanna go back to hike the entire section. Here the trail is back in very alpine landscapes, but less mineral than those of the Sierra. The Cascade range being way lower, it is covered with lush forests filled with peace and tranquil vibes. The terrain can be very rugged, some views are vertiginous, and the hiking technicality goes a good step up after the Oregon stroll. Washington is VERY rainy and by the time hikers reach this section (say early- to mid-September) they can expect cold temperatures.
It’s the section I know the least since I only hiked 140 miles of it, from Chinook Pass to Stevens Pass (if you’re wondering why, I’ll soon publish a post about this). Nevertheless, what I saw of it was absolutely magical and made me wanna go back to hike the entire section. Here the trail is back in very alpine landscapes, but less mineral than those of the Sierra. The Cascade range being way lower, it is covered with lush forests filled with peace and tranquil vibes. The terrain can be very rugged, some views are vertiginous, and the hiking technicality goes a good step up after the Oregon stroll. Washington is VERY rainy and by the time hikers reach this section (say early- to mid-September) they can expect cold temperatures.
Canada
8 miles (!) from the Northern Terminus to Manning Park