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Home , Castle Crags, Crater Lake, Diamond Peak (Oregon), Florida Trail, Forester Pass, Glacier Peak Wilderness

Pacific Crest National Scenic U.S. Service // Department of Agriculture National Scenic Trail • Mexico to Canada

Welcome History The Trail Today Zigzagging 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers) from Mexico to Canada, the Pacific Crest Clinton C. Clarke, Harvard graduate, successful The U. S. Forest Service has overall National Scenic Trail (PCT) spans three states and crosses national monuments, oilman and avid Boy Scout leader, dedicated his responsibility for the PCT but trail operation

Jeffrey Johnson Jeffrey life to preserving a slice of the American West for is also shared by the , national parks, national , Bureau of Land Management land, federally future generations. His vision, first articulated Bureau of Land Management, California designated wilderness, state and county parks, and tribal lands. Along the way, it by Catherne Mongomery of Bellingham, State Parks and the PCTA, as well as ascends more than 50 major passes and skirts the shores of innumerable Washington in 1926, was a border-to-border trail managers of the tribal, provincial, state and along mountain ranges in California, Oregon and county lands through which the trail passes. bodies of water. Diversity is a hallmark of the PCT. For example, on its route, Washington “traversing the best scenic areas and For more information, contact the Pacific temperatures can top 100ºF in the deserts and drop below freezing in the . maintaining an absolute wilderness character.” Visionary Clinton Crest Trail Program Manager, U.S. Forest Clarke with early trail It would take millions of dollars, 60 years and Service, Pacific Southwest Regional Office, The trail’s lowest point is 180 feet above sea designated for pedestrian and equestrian pioneer and explorer thousands of hours of labor, but eventually Warren Rogers 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592. level at the Gorge between traffic. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are Clarke’s dream would be realized. To create Oregon and Washington; its highest point not permitted. The PCT is open to foot and horse travel and the PCT, Clarke recommended linking several is 13,153 feet at in California’s than 40 YMCA groups, traveling in relays and closed to motorized and mechanized travel Within a three to four hour driving distance existing : Washington’s Cascade Crest Trail, Sierra . In all, the PCT encompasses carrying a logbook over 2,000 miles, hiked, (i.e., bicycles). There are a few locations of , , , Oregon’s Skyline Trail and California’s John the greatest elevation range of any national explored and evaluated a route for the trail where the PCT is routed on the shoulder of Sacramento, Portland and , the PCT Muir and Tahoe–Yosemite Trails. scenic trail, traversing six of North America’s from Mexico to Canada. One YMCA staffer in highways and across bridges with motorized is easily accessible and passes through In 1932, Clarke founded the Pacific Crest Trail particular, Warren Rogers, was instrumental in travel. In these instances, recreationists magnificently untamed country. From yucca System Conference to lobby for and plan the exploring sections of trail after they had been should use extreme caution by traveling only

Aaron Doss Aaron and cactus in to alpine trail. Founding members of the Conference mapped out—a feat made all the more impressive in daylight and wearing bright clothing. lichen in the ; from flows included the Boy Scouts of America, the Young because Rogers had been crippled by childhood in Oregon to in Washington; the PCT Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and a polio. Today’s PCT closely follows the route In some areas, the trail passes through provides a unique opportunity to experience young photographer named . blazed by Rogers and the relays from the 1930s. privately owned lands. Although travel on the the range of terrain, flora and fauna that During the summers of 1935 through 1938, more trail is not restricted, users need to respect characterizes the western . Crater , OR On October 2, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson the rights of the landowners. signed the Act, which named the and the PCT as Wilderness permits are required for the first national scenic trails. The Act defined most of the congressionally designated Gail Lowe Gail Deems C. Burton national scenic trails as “…extended trails so wildernesses through which the trail passes. near Tehachapi, CA located as to provide for maximum outdoor In cooperation with federal agencies, the recreation potential and for the conservation and PCTA issues wilderness permits for trips seven ecozones: (above enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, of 500 or more continuous miles in a single timberline); subalpine forest; upper montane historic, natural, or cultural qualities of the areas trip on the PCT. Trail users planning to stay forest; lower montane forest; upper Sonoran through which such trails may pass.” in developed campgrounds may be able to (oak , /grassland); reserve campsites in advance. For detailed and lower Sonoran (Mojave/Sonoran Over the next 20 years, land management information on a particular location, please Deserts). Wildlife is abundant as the PCT agencies, the Pacific Crest Trail Association contact that recreation site directly. weaves through the habitat of rattlesnakes, (PCTA), other organizations and countless salamanders, eagles, roadrunners, , volunteers constructed nearly 1,000 miles of

marmots, bear, , mountain goats, , Deems C. Burton trail. In 1993, at a golden spike ceremony in and other species. The trail is , CA, the PCT was officially Peak Wilderness, WA PCT sign in Washington being taken back by nature declared complete. Community, Magic, and Culture of the PCT The PCT is not simply a from own. Usually the term “trail magic” is used Mexico to Canada; it is a trail that connects to describe the kindness of strangers, who

landscapes, communities, and people. Each sometimes come to be known as “trail angels.” Lennox Joanne year, thousands of people from all over the Trail magic may be as basic as the gift of a cold world and from all walks of life embark on drink at a road crossing, or a ride into town

PCT journeys. These journeys may last a few from a trailhead. It may be a home cooked Henzell Thunder” “Rolling John hours, a few days, or a few months. meal, a clean pair of socks, or a soft bed to sleep on for the night. It may be anything that Among the most inspiring PCT journeys are infuses a hiker or rider with gratitude and faith those that encompass the trail’s entire 2,650- in the human spirit. mile length. Around springtime, at the PCT’s southern terminus near Campo, CA, several Another core aspect of PCT life is the adoption hundred northbound hopefuls begin the of “trail names.” Thru-hikers, thru-riders and adventure of a lifetime: a thru-hike. A thru- others who trek long distances along the PCT hike is a continuous journey along the length often give themselves (or are given) new names of the PCT – a walk or horseback ride from – names that convey personal characteristics, Mexico to Canada, or from Canada to Mexico. personify the PCT’s wonders, have a spiritual Along the way, thru-hikers and thru-riders meaning, or are simply funny. Regardless of experience the serenity and fullness of life at their origins, trail names are another way “Cucumber Boy” near Mount Baden-Powell, CA nature’s cadence and meet residents of nearby that trail users forge a community and make communities, who sometimes perform acts of connections – with nature and each other. Join us for a peek into trail journals: profound generosity (called trail magic). Hopi Horse near North Peak with in the background, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, OR To communicate up and down the trail, “The fact that a footpath exists that stretches from “The forest this morning reminded me of an over- For many PCT users, trail magic is tangible hikers and riders take to the Internet, social Mexico to Canada for 2,650 miles through mostly sized playroom [, OR]. Logs lay fallen “The three of us watched in silence as the last a schedule, but not of the scenery, horseback evidence that the trail brings people together media and blogs. They text one another. untrammeled wild landscape still astonishes me. across the earth as though two giants had just begun sliver of the sun slipped below the horizon [Mount riding or outdoor life. We have a lot of fun when in unique ways and has a culture all of its They send letters ahead. And they make That I was able to walk it (over 4 months and a game of Pickup Sticks. Electric-colored mushrooms Whitney, CA]. We talked as it fell, but at that people we meet ask us where we are going, or great use of the more rustic 6,300,000 steps!) seems like a dream. But the fact exploded from beneath the dirt in purple, yellow, moment, as if on cue, our words disappeared, lost where we rode in from. I just say, Canada, or trail registers, leaving notes to that my experiences on the PCT, and subsequently and red. The trees, their trunks covered in knobs, in the awe, stolen by the beauty. Sometimes you Mexico, and grin, waiting for the next question, others who may be coming up with the PCTA, changed the course of my life is a resembled boa constrictors finishing a recent meal.

John Price John simply stare.” which isn’t long in coming. It takes about five behind them about their plans day-to-day reality.” The pines swayed and creaked in the breeze, – Daniel “Out of Order” Alvarez, minutes before some of them believe us. Many or location. These records – Angela “Foxtail Pine” Ballard, author groaning like old, arthritic men. It was a landscape Yale Law School graduate, are the hours that we have ridden in silent awe, capture their feelings and fertile for the imagination.” “So many dreams start from this unassuming wore his PCT clothes under as we look on nature wonders. When you ride aspirations, frustrations and – Sharon “Cloudspotter” Allen his law school graduation gown across some of these meadows, no sound breaks fears, and more. They make a spot [the PCT’s southernmost point, Campo, CA]. I had expected to feel the spirits of hikers past… “There it was, a small, three-foot cement-rock the stillness, except the dull thud of the horses’ great, sharable record of one’s “You may think one would get tired of so much but instead I feel the spirits of those who have yet monument, marking the PCT’s 1993 completion feet, an occasional bridle chain tinkling and the journey and together capture a scenery, day after day, but June and I will never to start their journey. Good omen, my altimeter [Soledad Canyon, CA]. The trail’s intersection creak of saddle leather.” snapshot of the PCT experience get tired of the outdoors, the scenery or the reads exactly 2915’, the same elevation listed on with Soledad Canyon is the PCT’s equivalent – Don Mulford, year after year. clean mountain air out here. We may get bone the monument. I am in sync. Now how about a of the Transcontinental Railroad’s Promontory thru-rode the PCT with his wife weary and tired, from pushing so hard to make little hike to Canada.” Point. A circular brass survey marker tops the June 1959 mini-obelisk, and I take my stub pencil from – Mark “Cuddles” Votapeck, Kings Canyon National Park, CA my ‘ten essential’ ditty bag and make a trace concert cellist drawing. Then I hike on.” Dean Young – Barney “Scout” Mann, lawyer, hiking to fulfill a forty-year-old dream Serena Becker Serena “We finished! At last I’ll be warm and dry. I Barney “Scout” Mann “Scout” Barney kissed the monument [at the Canadian border] and we set up camp just inside Canada. I will be home soon.” – Mary “Scrambler” Chambers, completed her PCT thru-hike when she was ten years old

“Today was one of my favorite days on the PCT. You find yourself in forest one moment and on steep granite walls the next [in Northern CA]. This section is full of variety, all fascinating and beautiful. Many times I was reminded of the opening scene from The Sound of Music. Water is plentiful and it is a joy to drink as much as I want.” Wilderness, WA, with in the background Survey marker etching Soledad Canyon, CA – Suzanne “Tailwinds” Finney Equestrians in Natural Area Park, CA Tyson Tyson Daniel Schlaepfer Daniel

Glacier Peak Wilderness, WA Evolution Lake, CA Volunteering The PCT was built with the sweat due to increased demand for recreation and determination of volunteers and opportunities and the loss of open space. government agencies sharing passion for Working with agency partners, volunteers are a superior trail experience and the belief the lifeblood of the trail. Each year volunteers that building a trail from Mexico to Canada through the Pacific Crest Trail Association would benefit generations to come. It is Chapman Bob Dolly Ballou and (PCTA) provide tens of thousands of hours this same passion that drives volunteers of support for more than 2,650 miles of today. Whether it’s building new sections trail annually through major rehabilitation of trail, enjoying incredible vistas and projects, routine maintenance and additional panoramas with friends, or giving back to administrative assistance. the land and providing an experience for others, all volunteers play a critical role in How you can help: Whether you’re an outdoor strengthening the PCT. enthusiast and enjoy getting your hands dirty, or show your support behind a desk, ample Why we need your help: Heavy trail use, opportunities exist for volunteering. The PCTA’s floods, fires and overgrown vegetation can coordinator of volunteer programs will put cause tread , trail blockage and, in some you in touch with local volunteers, leaders and cases, permanent damage. The PCT is in projects near you. Contact the PCTA online at Volunteers south of , CA Students from the Environmental Charter High School in Los Angeles help to maintain a fire-impacted section of the PCT. constant need of maintenance and monitoring www.pcta.org or by phone at 916-285-1846. Safety and Administrative Information Bears and Food Storage Leave No Trace Know how to navigate: The PCT is not • Be aware of natural hazards in your Be aware, human carelessness can spell death Leave No Trace (LNT) natural resources. One poorly located campsite a blazed trail and may remain under environment. Be cautious and alert for falling for bears. When bears repeatedly obtain human is a national education or one hiker cutting a trail switchback may not much of the year. Users should be proficient snags (dead trees) along the trail and in food and garbage, they quickly learn to seek program to lessen the seem significant, but thousands of such instances in backcountry navigation and travel with campsites and picnic areas. Avoid camping in more. They become destructive and dangerous, effects people have on seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. appropriate topographic maps as well as a areas with large numbers of dead trees. and often must be killed. Regulations in some public lands, especially This means that practicing LNT is everyone’s compass or GPS. areas mandate proper food storage and prohibit wilderness areas. LNT responsibility. • Be weather wise. Avoid bare tops, feeding of any wildlife. Approved food storage principles are guidelines Plan for your trip: Knowledge of the area, exposed places, lone trees, streams and rocks canisters are required in many areas and are to follow at all times to reduce the impact LNT Principles: weather, terrain and your limitations, plus a little during storms. Find shelter in a strongly recommended in others. For food hundreds of thousands of visitors can have on • Plan ahead and prepare common sense, can help to ensure a safe and densely forested area at a lower elevation. storage requirements in the Sierra, visit enjoyable trip. Even in the summer, exposure to wind and • Travel and camp on durable surfaces www.sierrawildbear.gov. can result in hypothermia. • Dispose of waste properly • Leave a copy of your itinerary with a

responsible person. Include such details • Think before you drink! No matter Geisinger David • Leave what you find as where you are planning to travel, the how clean or pure stream water looks, it’s • Minimize campfire impacts equipment you’re bringing, the weather you’ve likely to contain water-borne parasites and • Respect wildlife anticipated and when you plan to return. microorganisms that can cause discomfort • Be considerate of other visitors and sometimes serious illness. Pack your • Travel with a companion. water in, filter it, or purify it with For further information on the LNT program, Wilderness, WA chemical treatment. Black Bear (Ursus americanus) please visit www.lnt.org. National Trails System Information and Publications National Scenic Trails The threats of commercial development Working with the U. S. Forest Service, the Contact: Pacific Crest Trail Association, 1331 Maps: The PCT Map Series, at a scale of one and concern for recreational opportunities Bureau of Land Management, the National Garden Highway, Sacramento, CA 95833; inch to the mile, can be obtained by ordering 1 Paci c Crest Trail prompted Congress to pass the National Park Service and California State Parks, the 916-285-1846 or visit at www.pcta.org. from the PCT Store (shop.pcta.org), from the Trails System Act in 1968. Today the National PCTA is the primary non-profit champion National Forest Store map sales 2 Paci c Northwest Trail Trail conditions: Visit PCTA’s website or Trails System includes 11 national scenic trails and steward of the trail. The PCTA’s mission (406-329-3024), or www.fs.fed.us/recreation/ call toll-free 888-728-7245 (1-888-PC-Trail). 3 (shown on the map). There are also 16 nation- is to protect, preserve and promote the trail nationalforeststore, under “Special Area This service is supported by the U.S. Forest al historic trails and more than 900 national for future generations. As part of this mission, Maps.” The maps also are available at select 4 Service and is an excellent resource for current recreation trails (not shown on the map). PCTA volunteers donate thousands of hours outdoor recreation retail stores. conditions including closures. 5 Trail each year to trail maintenance. For more information about the National Websites: 6 Guidebooks: The Pacific Crest Trail, vol. I, Trails System and a list of all national and The PCTA is also the central clearinghouse Pacific Crest Trail Association: www.pcta.org II & III from Wilderness Press by Jeffrey P. 7 historic trails, visit www.nps.gov/nts. for information regarding how to access the U.S. Forest Service: www.fs.usda.gov/pct Schaffer, Ben Schifrin, Thomas Winnett, and PCT, plan a trip on the PCT, trail conditions, 8 Trail Ruby Johnson Jenkins and the Pacific Crest and more. 9 Appalachian Trail Trail Data Book by Ben Go. Other guidebooks Cover Photo: are available for purchase. along the Trail portion 10 of the PCT in California. Photo by Brad Goldpaint 11 New England Trail

December 2018 Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail U.S. Forest Service Pacific Crest Trail California/Oregon/Washington Department of Agriculture National Scenic Trail • Mexico to Canada Princeton Vancouver V 1 C A A N N Chilliwack 3 A D EC Manning A • C Cathedral Washington 500 Miles O 49 ° 99 Provincial U Abbotsford Park Provincial V B Park E R I T I S Osoyoos This section begins at the Bridge of the Gods (elev. 180'), on the Columbia River and ends at R H C O L U M B NORTH I A Monument 78 on the Canadian border (elev. 4,240'). An additional seven miles were added beyond

I MOUNT Tippett Joshua S the border by the Canadian government to provide access to Highway 3 in ’s L A Bellingham NATIONAL Manning Provincial Park (elev. 3,800'). N D PARK Harts S T Pass OKANOGAN- R A Starting with a lengthy climb out of the , the trail eventually reaches the crest I T Stephen Cape O Victoria BAKER- Flattery F 20 Mather 20 near the Wilderness, a lake-filled land abounding with . Next, it rounds J U A N Wilderness Mount Vernon the base of mammoth (elev. 12,276'). Just north lies the dramatically rugged Goat D E Rainy Pass F U C Rocks Wilderness and a traverse of the A WENATCHEE Omak Stehekin 48 ° 5 SNOQUALMIE 20 Packwood Glacier. Port Angeles Glacier Peak

Lake Chelan 153 The trail crosses Highway 12 at Davis Connie National Recreation Wilderness Area 97 before encountering dozens of in the Glacier Peak OLYMPIC NATIONAL The PCT’s northern terminus William O. Douglas Wilderness. Between Everett NATIONAL D White Pass and Highway 410 at Chinook NATIONAL N U Henry M Jackson Pass, the trail skirts many lakes as it approaches the towering monarch of the

O

S Wilderness PARK Baring Chelan Cascades, Mount Rainier (elev. 14,410'). From , the trail has an 2 T Seattle E Skykomish Stevens FOREST easy, rapid run to Interstate 90 at . This stretch presents many G Pass

Bremerton U FOREST P Alpine Lakes private land clearcuts that offer little cover from the often-present rain. OLYMPIC 90 Wilderness NATIONAL The offer many challenges. Here, the PCT climbs a deep 101 FOREST Snoqualmie Pass Wenatchee canyon to a high mountain pass, only to descend another deep canyon and Chikamin Ridge near Snoqualmie Pass Tacoma 28 repeat the cycle. The trail traverses popular Alpine Lakes, Henry M. Jackson 47° E Cedar River 97 Watershed and Glacier Peak wildernesses before entering the 90 Aberdeen 410 , North Cascades National Park and 8 W A 12 S H I 281 Olympia 165 G N G T Pasayten Wilderness. The prime attraction is Glacier Peak, and 7 Norse Peak O N 90 MOUNT Wilderness Ellensburg the rugged route around it offers a memorable experience to Mount Rainier Isakson Kristen RAINIER Wilderness trail users. Not only is the North Cascades Range rugged, it is the NATIONAL N PARK Mt Rainier 410 wettest along the route, lying in a storm track most of the year. This Centralia 123 William O. Douglas 97 has produced about 750 perennial snowfields and small 7 Wilderness 12 6 A glaciers, which collectively account for about half the snowfield area in 12 12 White Pass the lower 48 states. Goat Rocks Yakima GIFFORD Wilderness 4 5 R The Washington section of the trail has several high passes and . 504 PINCHOT Mount Lakeview Ridge (elev. 7,126') is the highest and is located only eight miles C O L U M Adams 46° B I Astoria A Wilderness before the Canadian border. A number of Alaskan and Canadian plants, Longview NATIONAL Mt Saint INDIAN including cedar and grand fir, are found in Washington. When visiting this 101 Mt Adams Helens 82 FOREST RESERVATION section in September, visitors will be treated to brightly colored patches of western Indian Heaven Trout Lake larch, whose deciduous needles turn bright yellow providing a colorful conclusion to 503 Wilderness

R 141 the end of a thru-hike. I 97 26 V Yacolt Burn E State Forest Columbia River Gorge R Cascade National Scenic Area Vancouver Locks Beacon Rock U R O L M B E State Park C I A R I V Tillamook 14

Portland 84 35 The P Mark O Hatfield Dalles Wilderness Oregon • 458 Miles Mt W MOUNT Hood 99 26 Wilderness

E 197 McMinnville From near Siskiyou (elev. 4,310') in southern Oregon to the Washington border, this section is both

A 45° 22 HOOD the shortest and the easiest to hike or ride. Oregon’s is a subdued volcanic landscape, with a 97 18 gentle crest that is fairly constant in elevation. The highest point in Oregon is an unnamed saddle (elev. 7,560') D Deems C. Burton 22 216 north of . Other volcanoes, including Mount McLoughlin, (Crater Lake), C NATIONAL 26 Salem , the , , , Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood,

A WARM SPRINGS FOREST punctuate the skyline. The only major elevation change in Oregon is the 3,160 foot drop into the Columbia River 5 Olallie Lake Scenic Area INDIAN Gorge crossing Interstate 84 and the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods (elev. 180'). I 22 Albany Newport 20 C Corvallis RESERVATION Like the prominent volcanoes, many lakes in this section lure travelers onward. There are many opportunities to Mt Jefferson visit lakes in the Sky Lakes and Diamond Peak Wildernesses. The trail traverses Crater Lake National Park, where F SIUSLAW S Mount Jefferson a side trail to the rim for a spectacular view of this 34 W Three Fingered Jack Wilderness 99 228 20 magnificent lake. More small lakes and ponds are found in NATIONAL

I Mount Mt Washington the , Mount Jefferson Wilderness Washington A Wilderness 242 Sisters and the adjacent Olallie Lake Scenic Area. In northern 44° FOREST McKenzie Redmond Pass Deems C. Burton 126 20 Oregon, the PCT has fewer lakes, although it provides views The lava fields of Brown Mountain with Mount McLoughlin

C 126 Three South Sister Eugene C of several sizable reservoirs. Florence Sisters Bend Wilderness DESCHUTES WILLAMETTE The chief attraction for this stretch is glacier-robed Mount Hood (elev.

20 11,239'), Oregon’s largest and most active . Heavy precipitation in Valentine Eric NATIONAL NATIONAL this section produces dense, shady forests dominated by Douglas, and 88 FOREST noble fir at lower elevations and subalpine fir nearer treeline. Plants include 58 FOREST Diamond Peak pinedrops, prince’s pine and Oregon grape in the forested habitat. Pasque 5 Wilderness

flower and fireweed frequent open spaces. Animals include mice, squirrels, Coos Bay O 97 beaver, fox, and elk. Songbirds pursue insects, while nutcrackers gorge R E G O 138 Windigo N themselves on pine seeds and grouse forage on the ground.

Mount Pass Roseburg UMPQUA Thielsen 43° Wilderness NATIONAL Mt Thielsen Tunnel Falls on the popular Eagle Creek side-trail

42 138 31 FOREST 230 FREMONT- Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax) 127 CRATER

62 LAKE NATIONAL ROGUE PARK WINEMA • 409 Miles - RIVER - North of Donner Summit (elev. 7,989'), old volcanic flows and sediments bury most of the SISKIYOU 62 SISKIYOU NATIONAL FORESTS

ancient bedrock of the Sierra Nevada crest. Beyond the North Fork of the , the Grants Pass NATIONAL Sky Lakes Mt McLoughlin Sierra Nevada yields to the southern Cascade Range. Rich in nutrients, the volcanic soils here NATIONAL Wilderness Andre Brandon 140 101 Medford are at the optimal elevation to receive sufficient rainfall to produce lush forests. Other plants

199 FOREST include lupine, paintbrush, larkspur, columbine, gooseberry and manzanita. Animals include FOREST Klamath 140 6 Falls , marten, mink, , fox, and the ever-present deer and black bear. In the 42° Brookings Ashland ROGUE RIVER - SISKIYOU fall, skies are often filled with migrating birds on their journey south along the Pacific Flyway. Cascade - 66 NATIONAL FOREST Siskiyou Siskiyou The PCT traverses Lassen Volcanic National Park and crosses Highway 89 midway through the Red Summit National Monument Crescent Buttes southern Cascade Range. Nearby is Mount Lassen at elevation 10,457 feet. City Wilderness Seiad Valley 139 R S KLAMATH 97

E KLAMATH MODOC I

D X W MOUNTAINS Yreka

O

O 5 NATI ONAL

D NATI ONAL

R N Marble

A 3 Gallagher Timothy I T 96 Mountain V FOREST I Etna O Wilderness N E Russian A Weed Mt Shasta

R Wilderness L FOREST Alturas S P A

R

K Dunsmuir

89 Burney Falls

41° McArthur-

State Park Castella Burney Falls Memorial SP 299

S H A S T A - T R I N I T Y North of the park, the PCT follows the extremely dry Rim toward majestic N Wilderness

A 139 Mount Shasta, which dominates the skyline. The PCT turns west toward greener lands N A T I O N A L F O R E S T 5 395 Eureka T Burney 299 and drops to cross the (elev. 2,130') at . It then enters Castle 299 I O Crags State Park and the . The trail reaches 7,600 feet in the 89 N LASSEN mountains connecting the inland Cascade Range with the coastal ranges, winding north A

Cape L Old NATI ONAL through the Marble Mountain Wilderness before descending to the (elev. Mendocino Redding Station

44 FOREST 1,370'). It climbs again to the crest of the and traverses east, entering Lassen 44 F LASSEN VOLCANIC Volcanic Oregon near this section’s end at Interstate 5 near Siskiyou Summit (elev. 4,310'). O NATIONAL PARK Wilderness Drakesbad Hat Creek Rim R Susanville 36 36 E 36 S Chester 40° 101 T Red Bluff 89 • 586 Miles PLUMAS Belden 395 70 NATI ONAL Starting from this section’s lowest point at (elev. 5,246'), the trail enters a roadless and scenic area, hugging the relatively dry crest through the Chimney 99 MENDOCI NO 70 FOREST Bucks Peak Wilderness before reaching the South Fork of the near . The route alternates between expansive meadows and conifer forests, Lake and then embarks on a 3,300-foot ascent to Cottonwood Pass. To the north is the majestic, glaciated High Sierra. The glaciers formed shallow basins that filled with NATIONAL Paradise Wilderness 70 5 Chico 49 water to create thousands of lakes and tarns. In , the popular descends FOREST Lakes Basin from nearby (elev. 14,494') to join the PCT. The two trails merge and share the same path Recreation Area SierraS Buttes for most of the way to Highway 120 in ’s lush (elev. 8,690'). 49 Sierra City Reno I 89 TAH OE 80 Along this stretch, the route repeatedly descends deep canyons only to ascend to high saddles. The PCT White Brandon

E Donner crosses eight named passes above 11,000 feet in this section, the first being Forester Pass (elev. 13,153'), NATI ONAL Pass Ukiah Soda Springs the highest point on the entire trail. R Truckee 39° 80 FOREST Grass LAKE 50 Yuba City Valley R

Wilderness TAHOE Carson City Colfax BASIN A 1 MGMT 20 Auburn Desolation UNI T Mater James Wilderness South Lake N E ELDORADO Tahoe V A D A Pollock 395 Pines Echo Placerville 50 Lake Camino NATIONAL Carson Mokelumne Santa Pass Wilderness Rosa Sacramento H UMBOLDT- FOREST Ebbets 88 Pass TOIYABE Pioneer Carson- Napa Iceberg NATI ONAL STANI SLAUS Wilderness 88 4 Sonora FOREST 38° Pass Hathaway NATI ONAL San Bridgeport Pablo Pines Pinecrest Emigrant Hoover Bay 49 Pt Reyes 108 Wilderness Wilderness Y Mill Mi-wuk o Valley Village FOREST s Concord em Berkeley i Stockton Sonora te Mono View of from Lower Crabtree Meadows Mule Ears (Wyethia ovata) 4 W Lake i Lee Oakland YOSEMITE ld 120 Vining Tuolumne e rn Meadows e Tioga San Francisco s Pass s San 580 Groveland 120 s 120 After crossing Highway 108 at Sonora Pass (elev. 9,620'), the trail begins a generally subalpine, relatively level traverse Francisco NATIONAL m Bay Modesto a that stays close to the until this section ends at Interstate 80 (elev. 7,200'). Volcanic rock formations can be Fremont Yosemite d A O Valley l 395 e s Mammoth found north of Yosemite, with increasing frequency from Sonora Pass to Echo Summit at Highway 50, and again near s s 49 n e Lakes PARK n A r this section’s end, north of the Granite Chief Wilderness. e Devils INYO d il Reds Postpile SanC Meadow 6 Sunnyvale A L W National Jose I F O N Monument Plants in this section include corn lily, snow plant, red fir, Jeffrey and ponderosa pine at lower levels; and mule C R N I A Merced SI ERRA Jo ears, mountain hemlock and weather-twisted white bark pines near treeline. Animals include marmot, , E h n Bishop 37° deer and black bear. Mountain chickadee, junco, Steller’s jay, Clark’s nutcracker and red-tailed hawks serenade North V Fork M 101 u visitors’ ears. E NATI ONAL A i r NATIONAL S eq W D u Santa Cruz o il DEATH 99 ia d FOREST e -K Prather 168 A r in n • 697 Miles A g e VALLEY Southern California s s KINGS C s a CANYON n Salinas Clovis SEQUOIA y Independence NATIONAL Hume Lake NATIONAL o Fresno NATIONAL n The PCT begins on a low hill near Campo (elev. 2,915'), a small town

Monterey W FOREST PARK FOREST PARK N i l d Forester near the Mexican border. It then passes through Lake Morena County e Pass r n Lone

e Park, tunnels beneath Interstate 8, and climbs through chaparral, K. Wang Karen SEQUOIA Mt Pine s

s Whitney NATIONAL scrub oak and pines to the rim of the . The trail PARK Cottonwood 5 Pass dips into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park at Scissors Crossing, and Visalia then winds through the San Felipe Hills and lesser mountains of Golden 190 36° Hanford Trout the Cleveland National Forest before crossing Highway 74 at 4,900 Wilderness feet and climbing the backbone of the . It LOS PADRES Springville SEQUOI A South Sierra reaches its highest point in this section at 9,030 feet shortly before NATI ONAL Wilderness Kennedy it plunges to its lowest point, crossing beneath Interstate 10 at FOREST Porterville NATI ONAL Meadows Sherman Chimney Peak broad (elev. 1,190'). Domeland Pass Wilderness Rd Wilderness Delano 1 FOREST Owens Peak From here, the PCT climbs steeply to the crest of two east/ Wilderness The PCT’s southern terminus Kernville 4 west-oriented ranges, San Bernardino and San Gabriel

Onyx 178 ranges, often under welcome forest shade. It passes near Big Walker Pass Kiavah Ridgecrest Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead before crossing Interstate 178 Wilderness 15 at near State Recreation Area. The vistas from the trail in these mountains include the and Mojave Desert. To the west of Mount Paci c Crest National Scenic Trail Bakersfield San Baden-Powell and the Angeles Crest National Scenic Byway, the trail descends to Highway 35° Luis 58 3 National Forest / Obispo 14 at Agua Dulce, and then traverses the often-brushy landscape of the Sierra Pelona. It Tehachapi continues north for a typically hot and dry hike across the San Andreas Zone and National Forest Wilderness Pass 395 L Tehachapi O western arm of the Mojave Desert before climbing into the , where S Mojave Santa Maria 3 it crosses Highway 58 and enters the Sierra Nevada. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) / PA 58 D R Bureau of Land Management Wilderness ES The southern California section ends where the trail crosses Highway 178 at Walker Barstow NA 14 T 138 Pass (elev. 5,246'). The mountains of this section are bounded by faults that have been BLM Oces that Manage Paci c Crest Trail Segments IO NA Vasquez active in recent geologic time. Animals in this section include lizards, rodents, snakes, Lompoc L Rocks Lancaster 247 1 Palm Springs - Field Oce 4 Bakers eld Field Oce ANGELES San Gabriel FO NF Natural Mountains coyotes and cougars. Hummingbirds can be seen darting about, gathering nectar. 2 El Centro Field Oce 5 Alturas Field Oce R Area Pleasant 15 ES 138 T Park National View Ridge 3 Ridgecrest Field Oce 6 Ashland Resource Area/ Agua Monument Wilderness Point Dulce 18 Flora encountered generally include desert scrub, chaparral or oak, with Medford District Oce Conception Saugus Sheep Santa Barbara 14 Mountain forests only at the higher elevations. Trailside water is often scarce in this Wilderness Silverwood Lake State Rec Area 247 ANGELES Wrightwood 18 Sand to section, particularly in summer, when temperatures range from the 80s 34° Mt Baden-Powell Snow National Park / Oxnard NATI ONAL National Lytle 138 Skyforest to the low 100s. 101 Creek Monument Pasadena FOREST Big National Park Wilderness 18 SAN Bear San Gorgonio City San Gorgo Wilderness Arcadia Glendora nio Mtn 62 10 Ontario San 38 Bernardino Tribal Lands Los BERNARDI NO JOSHUA Valentine Eric CHANNEL ISLANDS Angeles Riverside 1 TREE NATIONAL PARK Anaheim 10 State or Provincial Park* NATIONAL Palm Springs NATIONAL Santa Mt San Jacinto 243 Ana Long State Park San Jacinto PARK Beach CLEVELAND 15 Hemet Idyllwild Wilderness County/Municipal Areas* San SantaJacinto Rosa NM & NATIONAL FOREST 10 74 FOREST Other Designated Area* 371 74

*These areas are shown on this map only if they fall on, or are close to, the PCT. 79 5 33° Anza-Borrego CLEVELAND 86 Warner Springs Desert Oceanside 2 NATI ONAL 79 78 Escondido State Scissors Crossing Scale 1:2,000,000 78 Ramona 2 Park FOREST 79 0 10 2030 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Miles Laguna Recreation Area 8 S1 Mount 0 50 100 Kilometers Alpine Laguna El Centro Hauser Wilderness 8 Joshua Tree (Yucca breviflora) near Walker Pass 94 San Diego 1 94 Campo O I C M E X

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