Hiking and Backpacking
Excursions on the PCT
About the PCT:
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 2,663 mile long trail that runs from it's Southern Terminus on the U.S.-Mexico border, through California, Oregon, and Washington, to its Northern Terminus, 8 miles into British Columbia, Canada at Manning Provincial Park. Most of the way, the trail follows along the crest of the Sierra Mountain Range and the Cascade Mountain Range. The original idea for the trail came in 1926. It wasn't until 1932 that Clinton Clark ("Father of the PCT") began promoting the trail by proposing to link several already existing trails together. Clark then set out to recruit people to help him with the trail and get the governments help protecting the trail. Among those to help Clark were Ansel Adams, the Boy Scouts, and YMCA. From 1935-1938 YMCA groups organized relays to explore the 2,000+ miles of land where the potential trail would go. In 1939 the PCT appeared on a Federal Government map for the first time, even though the trail was still being constructed. World War II put an end to the work on the trail during the 1940's, but in the 1950's work on the trail continued. The Building of the trail and getting government help protecting it took many years to accomplish. In 1968 the PCT got it's protection when it was declared a National Scenic Trail. However, it wasn't until 1993 that the trail was completely finished. Today it can be enjoyed by pedestrians or equestrians.
For more information check out the Pacific Crest Trail Association website:
http://www.pcta.org
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 2,663 mile long trail that runs from it's Southern Terminus on the U.S.-Mexico border, through California, Oregon, and Washington, to its Northern Terminus, 8 miles into British Columbia, Canada at Manning Provincial Park. Most of the way, the trail follows along the crest of the Sierra Mountain Range and the Cascade Mountain Range. The original idea for the trail came in 1926. It wasn't until 1932 that Clinton Clark ("Father of the PCT") began promoting the trail by proposing to link several already existing trails together. Clark then set out to recruit people to help him with the trail and get the governments help protecting the trail. Among those to help Clark were Ansel Adams, the Boy Scouts, and YMCA. From 1935-1938 YMCA groups organized relays to explore the 2,000+ miles of land where the potential trail would go. In 1939 the PCT appeared on a Federal Government map for the first time, even though the trail was still being constructed. World War II put an end to the work on the trail during the 1940's, but in the 1950's work on the trail continued. The Building of the trail and getting government help protecting it took many years to accomplish. In 1968 the PCT got it's protection when it was declared a National Scenic Trail. However, it wasn't until 1993 that the trail was completely finished. Today it can be enjoyed by pedestrians or equestrians.
For more information check out the Pacific Crest Trail Association website:
http://www.pcta.org
The PCT in California:
Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin (Yosemite N.P.):
This is a moderate in-and-out trail that makes for an 11.5 mile round-trip hike. The Trail starts at about 8,700 feet and eventually descends to about 7,800 feet. Make sure you dress in layers. I went in August and there was frost at the trailhead when I started, but later in the day it was in the 80's. The Trail follows along the Tuolumne River. Other than a bridge crossing, the first couple miles are away from the river even though the trail still parallels the river. When the trail comes back in contact with the river, it is in flat terrain and the river is very calm. These first couple miles of trail are easy going, but it soon starts to steepen. The river picks up speed and the trail becomes a little more difficult. However, it doesn't become any less pretty. Over the last couple miles you get to cross the river two more times (bridges are in place) and you get to see a few spectacular waterfalls. Glen Aulin is just after the second bridge crossing.
Rating: 9/10
This is a moderate in-and-out trail that makes for an 11.5 mile round-trip hike. The Trail starts at about 8,700 feet and eventually descends to about 7,800 feet. Make sure you dress in layers. I went in August and there was frost at the trailhead when I started, but later in the day it was in the 80's. The Trail follows along the Tuolumne River. Other than a bridge crossing, the first couple miles are away from the river even though the trail still parallels the river. When the trail comes back in contact with the river, it is in flat terrain and the river is very calm. These first couple miles of trail are easy going, but it soon starts to steepen. The river picks up speed and the trail becomes a little more difficult. However, it doesn't become any less pretty. Over the last couple miles you get to cross the river two more times (bridges are in place) and you get to see a few spectacular waterfalls. Glen Aulin is just after the second bridge crossing.
Rating: 9/10
Tuolumne Meadows to Rafferty Creek (Yosemite N.P.):
This is an easy in-and-out hike that takes you just
behind the Tuolumne Meadows village and up along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne
River. A round trip of this section is about 6 miles. Of course, you don't have
to stop there if you don't want. If you keep going, the trail will continue
through Lyell Canyon. Or, you can turn up Rafferty Creek and head toward
Vogelsang (described in Merced and Vogelsang High Sierra Camp Loop on the
California page). From Tuolumne to Rafferty Creek the trail only gains about 100
feet in elevation. The views of the river are peaceful. However, keep in mind
that because of the proximity to Tuolumne meadows the trails can be more
crowded. This particular stretch of trail is also part of the John Muir
Trail.
Rating: 7/10
This is an easy in-and-out hike that takes you just
behind the Tuolumne Meadows village and up along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne
River. A round trip of this section is about 6 miles. Of course, you don't have
to stop there if you don't want. If you keep going, the trail will continue
through Lyell Canyon. Or, you can turn up Rafferty Creek and head toward
Vogelsang (described in Merced and Vogelsang High Sierra Camp Loop on the
California page). From Tuolumne to Rafferty Creek the trail only gains about 100
feet in elevation. The views of the river are peaceful. However, keep in mind
that because of the proximity to Tuolumne meadows the trails can be more
crowded. This particular stretch of trail is also part of the John Muir
Trail.
Rating: 7/10
Cook and Green Pass to Castle Crags:
This is an 8 day, 171 mile backpacking trip if you stay on just the PCT. For me, I added about another 10 miles by going off trail a few times to get water from springs or lakes and also took a side trip up Mt. Eddy. In a normal year there should be enough water along the trail, but I went in a very dry year (2014). This trip starts near the Red Buttes Wilderness at Cook and Green Pass (about 25 miles from the Oregon border via the PCT), and heads south. The trail will then go through the Red Buttes before making a big drop in elevation down to the town of Seiad Valley. In Seiad Valley you follow the road for about 7 miles before getting back to the trail. From Seiad Valley (El. 1,200) it's about 20 miles of uphill climbing to put you back up to about 7,200 feet in the north end of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. From this point on, the trail typically stays between 6,200 feet and 7,200 feet with a few exceptions, until it starts descending from the Castle Crags. The trail continues all the way through the Marble Mountains where you see some spectactular mountains and beautiful lakes. It's not long before the trail enters the Russian Wilderness, and after that it will enter the north-eastern part of the Trinity Alps. Here the trail makes a turn and you actually start heading back north. Eventually the trail leaves the Trinity Alps Wilderness and will start going south again. The trail will go by some more beautiful lakes and Mountains, including Mt. Eddy (the tallest mountain west of I-5). From the PCT it is only a 5 mile round-trip hike to the top of Mt. Eddy and awesome views of the Deadfall Lakes. Eventually the trail will come into Castle Crags from the west side and will start dropping elevation. The crags are spectacular. As the elevation continues to drop you will come in contact with some beautiful creeks. Eventually, the trail will reach I-5, where my trip ended. During this trip I saw two bears and also killed one rattle snake which I cooked up for dinner that night. There were also many PCT north bound hikers who were headed toward Canada.
Rating: 8/10
This is an 8 day, 171 mile backpacking trip if you stay on just the PCT. For me, I added about another 10 miles by going off trail a few times to get water from springs or lakes and also took a side trip up Mt. Eddy. In a normal year there should be enough water along the trail, but I went in a very dry year (2014). This trip starts near the Red Buttes Wilderness at Cook and Green Pass (about 25 miles from the Oregon border via the PCT), and heads south. The trail will then go through the Red Buttes before making a big drop in elevation down to the town of Seiad Valley. In Seiad Valley you follow the road for about 7 miles before getting back to the trail. From Seiad Valley (El. 1,200) it's about 20 miles of uphill climbing to put you back up to about 7,200 feet in the north end of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. From this point on, the trail typically stays between 6,200 feet and 7,200 feet with a few exceptions, until it starts descending from the Castle Crags. The trail continues all the way through the Marble Mountains where you see some spectactular mountains and beautiful lakes. It's not long before the trail enters the Russian Wilderness, and after that it will enter the north-eastern part of the Trinity Alps. Here the trail makes a turn and you actually start heading back north. Eventually the trail leaves the Trinity Alps Wilderness and will start going south again. The trail will go by some more beautiful lakes and Mountains, including Mt. Eddy (the tallest mountain west of I-5). From the PCT it is only a 5 mile round-trip hike to the top of Mt. Eddy and awesome views of the Deadfall Lakes. Eventually the trail will come into Castle Crags from the west side and will start dropping elevation. The crags are spectacular. As the elevation continues to drop you will come in contact with some beautiful creeks. Eventually, the trail will reach I-5, where my trip ended. During this trip I saw two bears and also killed one rattle snake which I cooked up for dinner that night. There were also many PCT north bound hikers who were headed toward Canada.
Rating: 8/10
The PCT in Oregon:
Old Highway 99 to Crater Lake Rim: This is a moderate 120 mile hike that I covered in 5 days. Although there are sections that are easy, there are a lot of steep inclines in parts. This route starts at about 4,250 feet and will climb as high as about 7,400 feet. Early on in this backpacking excursion you will go through the Soda Mountain Wilderness with great views of Pilot Rock. Once Pilot Rock is out of view, the only thing you really see for the next several miles are trees. You go through dense forests with only occasional views of the valleys to either side of the ridge. This section can be kind of boring for people who are from Southern Oregon and have seen these types of forests their entire life, but on the bright side, this section of trail is relatively level which makes it easy. After about 16 miles you come to HWY 66 with views of Keene Creek Reservoir. Another 7 miles will put you at Hyatt Lake, and Howard Prairie is about another 5 after that. The first night I camped out near Hyatt Lake.
Once past Howard Prairie, you cross several small dirt roads before finally coming to Dead Indian Memorial Road. From there it is only about 2 more miles to Brown Mountain Shelter, which is where I camped the second night. Easy access to water can be had here as there is a well pump and the water does not need to be treated. This is also about the point where the trail starts to become more pretty. The trail soon becomes made of volcanic rock as it skirts around the west side of Brown Mountain and comes to HWY 140. Many people go a few miles out of their way to go to the restaurant at Fish Lake for some non-trail food. The trail then starts to steepen as it gets closer to Mt. McLoughlin, climbing 1,400 feet over the next 4 miles. Before long, you'll be in the heart of the Sky Lakes Wilderness, which is a beautiful area. There are several trails that are interwoven in this area, so make sure you navigate carefully. The PCT actually does not go by most of the lakes, so I took one of the other trails that did go by some of the lakes, and spent my third night at Island Lake where I could also take a quick dip before it got too cold out. The next day I continued through the Sky Lakes Wilderness where there are great views from the top of the ridge of Margarette Lake and Trapper Lake. The trail continues to climb a few more miles until it goes through a saddle at about 7,400 feet, just east of Devil's Peak. The trail then drops quickly and goes by the edge of 7 Lakes Basin. After a couple more miles the trail goes through an area that was badly burned not too long ago. There is not much shade here, however, somehow there is still a functional spring where you can replenish your water. Soon after the spring you get back into unburnt forest, which is where I camped out the 4th night. Another couple of miles and you cross into Crater Lake National Park. For the next 8 miles the trail is surprisingly level until you come to Dutton Creek. At Dutton Creek you make a decision to take the Equestrian Route (left) or the alternate pedestrian only route. Unless you have a horse, this is no-brainer. The equestrian route goes through another old burned area that is hot and dry. The alternate route will take you up to the rim where you will have excellent views of Crater Lake. This route is actually Dutton Creek Trail, and the PCT Alternate will take off from that at the rim. Dutton Creek Trail will come out right at the Rim Village, which is where I ended my hike. My original plan was to continue for another 5 days and 100 miles, but this was one of those hikes where I learned a painful lesson. Always take care of your feet and keep them dry!
Rating: 7/10
Once past Howard Prairie, you cross several small dirt roads before finally coming to Dead Indian Memorial Road. From there it is only about 2 more miles to Brown Mountain Shelter, which is where I camped the second night. Easy access to water can be had here as there is a well pump and the water does not need to be treated. This is also about the point where the trail starts to become more pretty. The trail soon becomes made of volcanic rock as it skirts around the west side of Brown Mountain and comes to HWY 140. Many people go a few miles out of their way to go to the restaurant at Fish Lake for some non-trail food. The trail then starts to steepen as it gets closer to Mt. McLoughlin, climbing 1,400 feet over the next 4 miles. Before long, you'll be in the heart of the Sky Lakes Wilderness, which is a beautiful area. There are several trails that are interwoven in this area, so make sure you navigate carefully. The PCT actually does not go by most of the lakes, so I took one of the other trails that did go by some of the lakes, and spent my third night at Island Lake where I could also take a quick dip before it got too cold out. The next day I continued through the Sky Lakes Wilderness where there are great views from the top of the ridge of Margarette Lake and Trapper Lake. The trail continues to climb a few more miles until it goes through a saddle at about 7,400 feet, just east of Devil's Peak. The trail then drops quickly and goes by the edge of 7 Lakes Basin. After a couple more miles the trail goes through an area that was badly burned not too long ago. There is not much shade here, however, somehow there is still a functional spring where you can replenish your water. Soon after the spring you get back into unburnt forest, which is where I camped out the 4th night. Another couple of miles and you cross into Crater Lake National Park. For the next 8 miles the trail is surprisingly level until you come to Dutton Creek. At Dutton Creek you make a decision to take the Equestrian Route (left) or the alternate pedestrian only route. Unless you have a horse, this is no-brainer. The equestrian route goes through another old burned area that is hot and dry. The alternate route will take you up to the rim where you will have excellent views of Crater Lake. This route is actually Dutton Creek Trail, and the PCT Alternate will take off from that at the rim. Dutton Creek Trail will come out right at the Rim Village, which is where I ended my hike. My original plan was to continue for another 5 days and 100 miles, but this was one of those hikes where I learned a painful lesson. Always take care of your feet and keep them dry!
Rating: 7/10
Mt. Thielsen Junction to Miller Lake/Maidu Lake Junction:
This is a moderate 12.5 mile hike. However, it is 4 miles on the Mt. Thielsen Trail just to get to the PCT. When I did this section I actually made it a 52 miles, 3 day backpacking trip. I started at the Mt. Thielsen trailhead and hiked to the top of Mt. Thielsen before coming back down to the PCT. I then headed north on the PCT until Thielsen Creek. At Thielsen Creek I went off trail to Cottonwood basin where I spent the first night. The next morning I got back on the PCT and continued north. When I got to the Miller/Maidu lake junction, I took the trail down to Miller Lake. I then came back up and took the lake to Maidu Lake. The trail continues past Maidu Lake to Lucille Lake, where I set up camp the second night. The next day I got back on the PCT and returned to the Mt. Thielsen trailhead, but only after going off-trail one more time to climb Tipsoo Peak. Near Tipsoo Peak is the highest point along the PCT in Oregon and Washington (7,560).
Rating: 9/10
This is a moderate 12.5 mile hike. However, it is 4 miles on the Mt. Thielsen Trail just to get to the PCT. When I did this section I actually made it a 52 miles, 3 day backpacking trip. I started at the Mt. Thielsen trailhead and hiked to the top of Mt. Thielsen before coming back down to the PCT. I then headed north on the PCT until Thielsen Creek. At Thielsen Creek I went off trail to Cottonwood basin where I spent the first night. The next morning I got back on the PCT and continued north. When I got to the Miller/Maidu lake junction, I took the trail down to Miller Lake. I then came back up and took the lake to Maidu Lake. The trail continues past Maidu Lake to Lucille Lake, where I set up camp the second night. The next day I got back on the PCT and returned to the Mt. Thielsen trailhead, but only after going off-trail one more time to climb Tipsoo Peak. Near Tipsoo Peak is the highest point along the PCT in Oregon and Washington (7,560).
Rating: 9/10
Maidu Lake Junction to Hwy 58: This is a 43 mile section of trail that I did over a few different hikes/backpacking trips. For the most part, the trail is moderate with sections that are strenuous, yet other sections that are easy. From Maidu Lake junction heading north, the next several miles there really isn't much to look at except trees. It's actually when you leave Mt. Thielsen Wilderness that you start getting some better views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. North of Windigo Pass there are some great views of Cowhorn Mountain. It's a relatively easy climb to Cowhorn Mountain summit from the PCT where there are awesome views of Summit Lake and Crescent Lake. Just past Cowhorn Mountain the trail starts descending toward Summit Lake. Summit Lake is absolutely beautiful. For a mountain lake it is quite large. Although there are some dirt roads into the lake, they are allegedly pretty rough, so not too many people actually come to this lake. There are several small islands in the lake and the water is crystal clear. From Summit Lake the trail goes into the Diamond Peak Wilderness and starts gaining elevation. Diamond Peak is stunning, and is actually a lot different looking from other mountains in Oregon. It looks more like something that would be seen in the Rockies. The trail goes around the east side of the mountain. Once past Diamond Peak, the trail goes by several small lakes. Before eventually reaching Odell Lake. From Odell Lake it is just a short distance to HWY 58. The highlights on this section of trail are most definitely Cowhorn Mountain, Summit Lake, and Diamond Peak.
Rating: 8/10
Rating: 8/10