The Pacific Crest Trail is 2650 mile trail running parallel to the west coast. It starts on the Mexican border running north through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Clinton C. Clarke proposed the trail in the 1930s and founded the PCTA to establish the trail and lobby Congress for money and recognition. The trail wasn’t legally defined until the 1968 National Trails Act under President Johnson. Officially, the trail was completed in 1993, a little over a half of a century later than it’s east coast cousin, the Appalachian Trail.
The trail has become very popular in recent years due to its proximity to several west coast population centers and the movie “Wild.” Because of the large number of hikers, a trail permitting system has been implemented limiting the number of starts to 50/day.
This trail has proven to be troublesome for us. We started in 2019 with the intention of thru-hiking it, but nature and circumstances conspired against us. First off, we started too early which forced us to jump around to try to avoid the snow. We couldn’t entirely avoid it and got ourselves into a rather scary situation in Northern California which nearly cost us our lives, so we jumped over to the Oregon Coast Trail to give the snow some time to melt.
We got back on the PCT at the Columbia River heading north to Canada with the intention of returning to the Columbia River to head south and finish up. We made it to Canada, but as we were returning to finish up, my mother unexpectedly died ending our attempt. We were forced to join the rank of “section hikers.”
In 2020, we intended to finish, but we were a bit rushed because we wanted to get back in time to vote. It didn’t really matter–Covid and forest fires conspired against us. We eventually hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail once we were allowed back in the National Forests.
Our goal is to finish the Sierra in 2021…
2019
Campo to Paradise Café
- Day 0, San Diego—(Zero Day)
- Days 1 – 3, El Cahon—(Triple Zero)
- Day 4, Trail Mile 8.8—(8.8 miles)
- Day 5, TM 20.0, Lake Mareno—(11.2 miles)
- Day 6, TM 32.0, Fred Canyon—(12.o miles)
- Day 7, TM 41.4, Mt Laguna Lodge—(9.4 miles)
- Day 8, TM 52.6, Pioneer Mail Picnic Area—(11.2 miles)
- Day 9, TM 52.6, Pioneer Mail Picnic Area—(Zero Day)
- Day 10, TM 68.4—(15.8 miles)
- Day 11, TM 77.3, Hotel Julian—(8.9 miles)
- Days 12 & 13, Hotel Julian—(Double Zero)
- Day 14, TM 91.2—(13.9 miles)
- Day 15, TM 105.0—(13.8 miles)
- Day 16, TM 109.5, Warner Springs Community Center—(4.5 miles)
- Days 17 & 18, Warner Springs—(Double Zero)
- Day 19, TM 127.3, Mike’s Place—(17.8 miles)
- Day 20, TM 145.4, Mary’s Place—(18.1 miles)
- Day 21, TM 151.8, Paradise Cafe—(6.4 miles)
Miles to date: 151.8
Acton, CA to Walker Pass
- Day 22, TM 454.2, Hiker Heaven—(10.2 miles)
- Day 23, TM 468.2–(13.7 miles)
- Day 24, TM 478.2, Casa de Luna—(10.0 miles)
- Day 25, TM 493.4, Upper Shake Campground—(15.2 miles)
- Day 26, TM 508.1, Horse Trail Camp—(14.7 miles)
- Day 27, TM 517.6, Hiker Town—(9.5 miles)
- Day 28, TM 534.9, Cottonwood Creek—(17.3 miles)
- Day 29, TM 545.1—(10.2 miles)
- Day 30, TM 558.3—(13.2 miles)
- Day 31, TM 566.5, Tehachapi—(8.2 miles)
- Day 32, Tehachapi—(Zero Day)
- Day 33, TM 577.3—(10.8 miles)
- Day 34, TM 592.9—(15.6 miles)
- Day 35, TM 608.9, Landers Meadow—(16.0 miles)
- Day 36, TM 621.9, Dove Spring Canyon Road—(13.0 miles)
- Day 37, TM 630.9, Bird Spring Pass—(9.0 miles)
- Day 38, TM 643.8, McIver Cabin—(12.9 miles)
- Day 39, TM 652.1, Walker Pass—(8.3 miles)
- Day 40, Ridgecrest—(Zero Day)
Miles to date: 368.9
Paradise Cafe to Acton, CA
- Day 41, Paradise Cafe—(Zero Day, travel)
- Day 42, TM 159.7—(7.9 miles)
- Day 43, TM 175.4—(15.7 miles)
- Day 44, TM 179.4, Idyllwild—(4.0 miles)
- Day 45 & 46 , Idyllwild—(Double Zero)
- Day 47, TM 183.3, Strawberry Camp Tentsite—(3.9 miles)
- Day 48, TM 197.2—(13.9 miles)
- Day 49, TM 213.4, Mesa Wind Farm—(16.2 miles)
- Day 50, TM 229.0—(15.6 miles)
- Day 51, TM 239.9, Mission Camp—(10.9 miles)
- Day 52, TM 256.2, Arrastre Trail Camp—(16.3 miles)
- Day 53, TM 266.1, Big Bear Lake—(9.9 miles)
- Day 54, Big Bear Lake—(Zero Day)
- Day 55, TM 279.2—(13.1 miles)
- Day 56, TM 298.5, Splinters Cabin—(19.3 miles)
- Day 57, TM 314.6—(15.1 miles)
- Day 58, TM 328.1, Cleghorn Picnic Area—(13.5 miles)
- Day 59, TM 341.9, Cajon Pass—(13.8 miles)
- Day 60, TM 357.2—(15.3 miles)
- Day 61, TM 369.3, Wrightwood—(12.1 miles)
- Day 62 & 63, Wrightwood—(Double Zero)
- Day 64, TM 386.1, Islip Saddle—(16.8 miles)
- Day 65, TM 395.2, Cooper Canyon Camp—(9.1 miles)
- Day 66, TM 406.6, Sulpher Springs Trail Camp—(11.4 miles)
- Day 67, TM 418.6, Mill Creek Fire Station—(12.0 miles)
- Day 68, TM 436.6, North Fork Ranger Station—(17.5 miles)
- Day 69, TM 444.3, Soledad Canyon Road—(8.2 miles)
- Day 70, Acton KOA—(Zero Day)
Miles to date: 652.1
Old Station to Mount Shasta
- Days 71-77, Old Station—(Septuple Zero)
- Day 78, TM 1385.5, Lost Creek—(12.1 miles)
- Day 79, TM 1393.5, Cache 22—(8.0 miles)
- Day 80, TM 1409.7, Burney Mountain Guest Ranch—(16.2 miles)
- Days 81 & 82, Burney Mountain Guest Ranch—(Double Zero)
- Day 83, TM 1419.0, Burney Falls—(9.3 miles)
- Day 84, TM 1432.7, Peavine Creek—(13.7 miles)
- Days 85-89, Burney—(Quintuple Zero)
- Day 90, TM 1439.0—(6.3 miles)
- Day 91, TM 1449.4—(10.4 miles)
- Day 92, TM 1456.3, Abandoned Cabin—(7.1 miles)
- Day 93, TM 1467.0–(10.7 miles)
- Day 94, TM 1481.9–(14.9 miles)
- Day 95, TM 1501.2, Mount Shasta—(19.3 miles)
- Day 96, Mount Shasta—(Zero Day)
Miles to date: 779.9
Cascade Locks to Canada
- Day 97, TM 2153.5–(6.5 miles)
- Day 98, TM 2166.7, Rock Creek—(13.2 miles)
- Day 99, TM 2177.1, Trout Creek—(10.4 miles)
- Day 100, TM 2193.5–(16.4 miles)
- Day 101, TM 2211.3–(17.8 miles)
- Day 102, TM 2227.5–(16.2 miles)
- Day 103, TM 2229.4, Trout Lake—(1.9 miles)
- Day 104, Trout Lake—(Zero Day)
- Day 105, TM 2239.6, Riley Creek—(10.2 miles)
- Day 106, TM 2254.2–(14.6 miles)
- Day 107, TM 2269.2, Walupt Creek—(15.0 miles)
- Day 108, TM 2283.8, Tieton Pass Tentsite—(14.6 miles)
- Day 109, TM 2295.4, White Pass—(11.6 miles)
- Days 110-112, Packwood—(Triple Zero)
- Day 113, TM 2307.8—(12.4 miles)
- Day 114, TM 2320.9, Dewey Lake—(13.1 miles)
- Day 115, TM 2334.6–(13.7 miles)
- Day 116, TM 2347.5, Mike Urich Cabin—(12.9 miles)
- Day 117, TM 2364.6, Tacoma Pass—(17.1 miles)
- Day 118, TM 2376.0—(11.4 miles)
- Day 119, TM 2388.2—(12.2 miles)
- Day 120, TM 2393.6, Snoqualmie—(5.4 miles)
- Day 121, Snoqualmie—(Zero Day)
- Day 122, TM 2400.8, Ridge Lake—(7.2 miles)
- Day 123, TM 2414.3, Lemah Creek—(13.5 miles)
- Day 124, TM 2430.5—(16.2 miles)
- Day 125, TM 2446.8, Deception Lakes—(16.3 miles)
- Day 126, TM 2460.3, Lake Susan Jane—(13.5 miles)
- Day 127, TM 2464.7, Stevens Pass—(4.4 miles)
- Days 128 & 129, Leavenworth—(Double Zero)
- Day 130, TM 2474.4, Lake Janus—(9.7 miles)
- Day 131, TM 2487.2—(12.8 miles)
- Day 132, TM 2502.5–(15.3 miles)
- Day 133, TM 2518.3, Fire Creek—(15.8 miles)
- Day 134, TM 2535.7, Vista Creek—(17.4 miles)
- Day 135, TM 2551.5, Image Lake Junction—(15.8 miles)
- Day 136, TM 2569.5–(18.0 miles)
- Day 137, TM 2572.4, Stehekin—(2.9 miles)
- Day 138,TM 2583.7, Six Mile Campsite—(11.3 miles)
- Day 139, TM 2591.6, Rainy Pass—(7.9 miles)
- Day 140 & 141, Winthrop—(Double Zero)
- Day 142, TM 2601.4–(9.8 miles)
- Day 143, TM 2616.8–(15.4 miles)
- Day 144, TM 2629.6–(12.8 miles)
- Day 145, TM 2641.7–(12.1 miles)
Miles to date: 1275.0
2020
Cascade Locks to Dunsmuir
- Day 1, TM 514.5–(8.9 miles)
- Day 2, TM 526.8–(12.3 miles)
- Day 3, Lolo Pass, TM 538.4–(11.6 miles)
- Day 4, Zigzag River, TM 552.3–(13.9 miles)
- Day 5, Government Camp, TM 555.3–(3.2 miles)
- Day 6, TM 569.9–(14.4 miles)
- Day 7, Warm Springs River, TM 588.0–(18.1 miles)
- Day 8, Jude Lake, TM 603.4–(15.4 miles)
- Day 9, Olallie Lake & Resort, TM 607.0–(3.6 miles)
- Day 10, Breitenbush Campground TM 613.2–(6.2 miles)
- Day 11, TM 625.5—(11.3 miles)
- Day 12, TM 642.5—(17.0 miles)
- Day 13, Santium Pass, TM 652.1–(9.6 miles)
- Day 14, Sisters, OR—(Zero Day)
- Day 15, TM 664.1–(12.0 miles)
- Day 16, TM 678.3–(14.2 miles)
- Day 17, Sisters Mirror Lake, TM 694.3–(16.0 miles)
- Day 18, Elk Lake Resort, TM 700.5–(6.2 miles)
- Days 19-21, Bend, OR—(Triple Zero)
- Day 22, Winopee Lake Junction, TM 712.8–(12.3 miles)
- Day 23, Charlton Lake, TM 728.0–(15.2 miles)
- Day 24, Maiden Peak Shelter, TM 738.7–(10.7 miles)
- Day 25, Shelter Cove Resort, TM 746.9–(8.2 miles)
- Day 26, Summit Lake, TM 763.9–(17.0 miles)
- Day 27, Six Horse Creek, TM 781.0–(17.1 miles)
- Day 28, Thielsen Creek, TM 797.0–(16.0 miles)
- Day 29, Diamond Lake Lodge, TM 805.3–(8.3 miles)
- Day 30, Grouse Hill Camp, TM 813.9–(8.6 miles)
- Day 31, Mazama Village, TM 832.2–(18.3 miles)
- Day 32, TM 852.4–(20.2 miles)
- Day 33, Christi’s Spring, TM 868.2–(15.8 miles)
- Day 34, Fish Lake Resort, TM 879.7–(11.5 miles)
- Day 35, Burton Flat Road, TM 893.5–(13.8 miles)
- Day 36, Hyatt Lake Campground, TM 910.4–(16.9 miles)
- Day 37, TM 925.0–(14.6 miles)
- Day 38, Callaghan’s Lodge, TM 935.4–(10.4 miles)
- Days 39-41, Ashland, OR—(Triple Zero)
- Day 42, TM 944.9–(9.5 miles)
- Day 43, TM 961.1–(16.2 miles)
- Day 44, TM 977.6–(16.5 miles)
- Day 45, Wildwood Tavern and Lodge, TM 996.7–(19.1 miles)
- Day 46, Seiad Valley, CA—(Zero Day)
- Day 47, TM 1003.6–(6.9 miles)
- Day 48, TM 1015.7–(12.1 miles)
- Day 49, Marble Valley Tentsite, TM 1029.4–(13.7 miles)
- Day 50, Shelly Meadows, TM 1042.7–(13.3 miles)
- Day 51, Etna Summit Trailhead, TM 1053.4–(10.7 miles)
- Days 52-54, Etna, CA—(Triple Zero)
- Day 55, TM 1062.3—(8.9 miles)
- Day 56, TM 1075.8–(13.5 miles)
- Day 57, TM 1088.2–(12.4 miles)
- Day 58, TM 1092.9–(4.7 miles)
- Day 59, Chilcoot Creek, TM 1107.2–(14.3 miles)
- Day 60, Porcupine Lake, TM 1121.8–(14.6 miles)
- Day 61, Disappearing Creek, TM 1141.9–(20.1 miles)
- Day 62, Dunsmuir, TM 1151.9–(10.0 miles)
Trail mile total 2020 646.3
Total PCT miles complete 2019 & 2020 1921.3
Old Station to Belden
- Day 63 & 64, Dunsmuir, Mt Shasta, & Old Station—(Double Zero)
- Day 65, TM 1285.9–(6.2 mile)
- Day 66, Warner Valley Camp, TM 1302.9–(17.0 miles)
- Day 67, Drakesbad Guest Ranch—(Zero)
- Day 68, Stover Spring, TM 1318.4–(15.5 miles)
- Day 69, Chester, TM 1321.8–(3.4 miles)
- Day 70, Cub Spring, TM 1337.3–(15.5 miles)
- Day 71, TM 1354.6–(17.3 miles)
- Day 72, Belden, TM 1366.3–(11.7 miles)
- Days 73-77, Lost in CA–(Sextuple Zero)
Trail mile total 2020 732.9
Total PCT miles complete 2019 & 2020 2007.9
I-80 to South Kennedy Meadows
- Day 0-ish, Truckee, CA
- Day 1, TM 1504.8–(7.8 miles)
- Day 2, Five Lakes Creek, TM 1518.1–(13.4 miles)
- Day 3, Bear Lake Outlet, TM 1531.7–(13.6 miles)
- Day 4, Middle Velma Lake, TM 1543.9–(12.2 miles)
- Day 5, Aloha Lake, TM 1554.5–(10.6 miles)
- Day 6, Echo Summit Trailhead, TM 1563.5–(9.0 miles)
- Day 7, South Lake Tahoe—(Zero Day)
- Day 8, Upper Truckee River, TM 1574.2–(10.7 miles)
- Day 9, Tamarack Lake Outlet, TM 1589.2–(15.0 miles)
- Day 10, Pennsylvania Creek, TM 1598.5–(9.3 miles)
- Day 11, Spring & Campsite, TM 1612.2–(13.7 miles)
- Day 12, Carson River, TM 1627.5–(15.3 miles)
- Day 13, Sonora Pass, TM 1636.7–(9.2 miles)
- Day 14, Kennedy Meadows North—(Zero Day)
- Day 15, Kennedy Canyon Creek, TM 1647.7–(11.0 miles)
- Day 16, Falls Creek, Yosemite NP, TM 1663.6–(15.9 miles)
- Day 17, YNP, TM 1675.5–(11.9 miles)
- Day 18, Smedberg Lake, YNP, TM 1685.1–(9.6 miles)
- Day 19, YNP, TM 1698.4–(13.3 miles)
- Day 20, Tuolumne Meadows, YNP, TM 1711.1–(12.7 miles)
- Day 21, Yosemite Valley—(Zero Day)
- Day 22, Lyell Fork, YNP, TM 1722.4–(11.3 miles)
- Day 23, TM 1737.7–(15.3 miles)
- Day 24, Red’s Meadow, TM 1746.9–(9.2 miles)
- Days 25 & 26, Mammoth Lake—(Double Zero)
- Day 27, Deer Creek, TM 1752.6–(5.7 miles)
- Day 28, Squaw Lake Outlet, TM 1767.1–(14.5 miles)
- Day 29, Bear Creek, TM 1781.8–(14.7 miles)
- Day 30, Muir Trail Ranch, TM 1794.7–(12.9 miles)
- Day 31, King Canyon NP, TM 1807.6–(12.9 miles)
- Day 32, Big Pete Meadow, KCNP, TM 1821.0–(13.4 miles)
- Day 33, Palisade Lake, KCNP, TM 1833.1–(12.1 miles)
- Day 34, Lake Margorie, KCNP, TM 1844.8–(11.7 miles)
- Day 35, KCNP, TM 1856.0–(11.2 miles)
- Day 36, Kearsarge Pass Trail, TM 1864.7–(8.7 miles)
- Day 37, Onion Valley Trailhead—(7.1 miles)
- Days 38 & 39, Bishop, CA—(Double Zero)
- Day 40, Vidette Meadow, TM 1866.7–(9.1 miles)
- Day 41, Tyndall Creek, TM 1878.9–(12.2 miles)
- Day 42, Crabtree Ranger Station, TM 1887.3–(8.7 miles)
- Day 43, Mount Whitney—(15.2 miles)
- Day 44, Rock Creek Camp, TM 1893.1–(7.0 miles)
- Day 45, Chicken Spring Lake, TM 1902.8–(9.7 miles)
- Day 46, Dutch Meadow & Spring, TM 1910.6–(7.8 miles)
- Day 47, Death Canyon Creek, TM 1922.8–(12.2 miles)
- Day 48, Kern River/Monache Meadow, TM 1937.3–(14.5 miles)
- Day 49, Kennedy Meadows South, TM 1951.4–(14.1 miles)
Trail mile total 2021 454.4
Total PCT miles complete 2019, 20 & 21 2462.3