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Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

PCT - three-part guidebook and map books for thru and section hikers

ISBN

9781786312129

Availability

Published

24 Feb 2025

Edition

First

Pages

424

Size

17.80 x 12.35 x 3.30cm

Weight

620g

Delivery & Returns

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Three-book guidebook set to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), an epic 2650-mile hike from the Southern Terminus at California's Mexican border to the northern Terminus at the Canadian border. Designed to be compact and lightweight the set is separated into three books, an introduction to the trail and two map books.

Seasons

Primarily on the mountain crest, the PCT is a summer trail, best hiked when most snow has receded. Southern California is best in both spring and autumn, when not too hot. The High Sierra and Northern California from mid-June, Oregon and Washington from July to mid-October.

Centres

The PCT can be accessed from most west coast US cities. San Diego is close to the Southern Terminus, while Vancouver, Canada provides an exit from the Northern Terminus. Reno is also convenient, closer to the midpoint and just 45 miles from the trail.

Difficulty

The PCT is a wilderness trail, often a long way from road access, so familiarity with backpacking, navigating and camping is required. The trail itself is not difficult to follow but the effects of erosion, avalanche damage, flood, fire and tree fall mean there are challenges to overcome, including late-lying snow and numerous creek and river crossings.

Must See

From scorching desert through snow-capped mountains and volcanic landscapes the PCT explores the American West at its wildest, visiting highlights such as Vasquez Rocks, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Yosemite National Park, the Devil’s Postpile, Desolation Wilderness, Crater Lake, the Three Sisters, Mount Hood, the Columbia River Gorge and Glacier Peak Wilderness.

ISBN

9781786312129

Availability

Published

24 Feb 2025

Edition

First

Pages

424

Size

17.80 x 12.35 x 3.30cm

Weight

620g

Delivery & Returns

Overview

A comprehensive three-book set providing all the information needed to prepare for and hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a 2650-mile hike through California, Oregon and Washington. Designed to be compact and lightweight the set is separated into three books, an introduction to the trail (130g) and two map books (200g and 170g).

The introductory book covers all at-home planning and preparation for hiking the PCT.

Detailed explanation of the trail structure, timings and how to approach the PCT
Suggested itineraries for 110-, 120-, 130- and 140-day thru-hikes and an easy-going start option to aid with planning
Advice on equipment and permits required on trail
A background of the trail’s history
A look at the wildlife, flora and fauna encountered on the trail

The two map books are designed to be used on the trail, one covering the southern stages from the Mexico border to northern California at Interstate 5, the other detailing the northern stages in Oregon and Washington to the Canadian border.

Presented as 100 1–3-day stages for easy planning of either day, section or thru-hikes
Where possible stages begin/end at trailheads for easy access to the route
1:100,000 topographic maps for the whole trail that can be used to supplement or replace digital mapping apps
Each stage contains a waymarked route description with mileages, mapping, profiles, and locations of water sources and campsites
Resupply tables are included detailing where food, mail drops and laundrettes are available close to the trail

Table of Contents

Map key

Overview map 

Preface

INTRODUCTION
A geologist’s delight
Weather patterns
Plant and wildlife
What the walking’s like
Planning
Preparation
Wilderness hiking
Equipment
Using this guide

THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
Southern California
1 Campo to Van Dusen Canyon (Big Bear City)
2 Big Bear City to Agua Dulce
3 Agua Dulce to Kennedy Meadows
The High Sierra
4 Kennedy Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows
5 Tuolumne Meadows to Interstate 80 (Donner Pass)
Northern California
6 Donner Pass to Interstate 5 (Castella)
7 Castella to Interstate 5 (Ashland)
Oregon
8 Ashland to McKenzie Pass
9 McKenzie Pass to Cascade Locks
Washington
10 Cascade Locks to Snoqualmie Pass
11 Snoqualmie Pass to Manning Park

Appendix A Local information and conversions
Appendix B Useful addresses
Appendix C Other publications
Appendix D Schedules for 110 to 180-day thru’-hikes
Appendix E Summaries of Ancient Brit‘s schedules
Appendix F Ancient Brit’s 2002 (160-day) schedule
Appendix G Schedule for a 180-day thru’-hike
Appendix H Schedule for a super-slow start

Updates

April 2025

Canadian border update

The Canadian Border Services Agency announced in January (2025) that it was discontinuing the issuance of permits to enter Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail. They argue that the change will enhance security at the border, and aligns with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which does not allow travellers to enter the US from Canada on the trail.

It is disappointing but perhaps not surprising. The US has never allowed southbound hikers to cross the other way to access the start of the trail.

The primary route to and from the northern terminus for hikers therefore now becomes the trail itself from Harts Pass. Northbound hikers completing the trail will need to hike back the 30 miles to Harts Pass and then descend the gravel road to Mazama. Alternatively, a further 30 miles back is the main highway at Rainy Pass where a pick up could be arranged.

By David Jordan

David's earliest memories of walking adventures were family holidays, let loose among trees and fields with a Kodak 'instamatic' camera and notebook. Many years on, little has changed (except perhaps the size of the boots). David has hiked and camped extensively across much of the higher ground of the UK, Europe and Norway, as well as the US. A first taste of long-distance walking started with a circuit of the Tour du Mont Blanc in 1992 and led through sections of the Appalachian Trail to a full thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016. Returning to the Alps David spent four years researching and exploring the Grande Traversata Delle Alpe. In 2023 David hiked the PCT for a second time and became one of fewer than 200 people ever to thru-hike the trail more than once.

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