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Home , Diamond Peak (Oregon), Ebbetts Pass, Echo Summit, Forester Pass, Glacier Peak, Goat Rocks

Pacific Crest National Scenic U.S. Forest 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, The U. S. Forest Service has overall National Scenic Trail (PCT) spans three states and crosses national monuments, successful oilman and avid Boy Scout leader, responsibility for the PCT but trail operation

Jeffrey Johnson Jeffrey dedicated his life to preserving a slice of is also shared by the Service, national parks, national forests, Bureau of Land Management land, federally the American West for future generations. Bureau of Land Management, California State designated , state and county parks, and tribal lands. Along the way, it His vision, first articulated in the 1930s, was Parks and the PCTA, as well as managers of ascends more than 50 major passes and skirts the shores of innumerable a border-to-border trail along mountain the tribal, provincial, state and county lands ranges in California, Oregon and Washington through which the trail passes. For more bodies of water. Diversity is a hallmark of the PCT. For example, on its route, “traversing the best scenic areas and information, contact the Pacific Crest Trail temperatures can top 100º F in the deserts and drop below freezing in the . maintaining an absolute wilderness character.” Visionary Clinton Program Manager, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Clarke with early trail It would take millions of dollars, 60 years and Southwest Regional Office, 1323 Club Drive, The trail’s lowest point is 180 feet above sea and equestrian traffic. Bicycles and motorized pioneer and explorer thousands of hours of labor, but eventually W a r r e n R o g e r s Vallejo, CA 94592. level at the Gorge between vehicles are not permitted. Clarke’s dream would be realized. To create Oregon and Washington; its highest point is The PCT is open to foot and horse travel and Within a three to four hour driving distance the PCT, Clarke recommended linking several 13,153 feet at in California’s Sierra more than 40 YMCA groups traveling in relays closed to motorized and mechanized travel of San Diego, , San Francisco, existing : Washington’s Cascade Crest Nevada. In all, the PCT encompasses the and carrying a logbook over 2,000 miles, (i.e., bicycles). There are a few locations where Sacramento, Portland and , the PCT Trail, Oregon’s Skyline Trail and California’s greatest elevation range of any national scenic hiked, explored and evaluated a trail route the PCT is routed on the shoulder of highways is easily accessible and passes through and Tahoe–Yosemite Trails. trail, traversing six of North America’s seven from Mexico to Canada. One YMCA staffer in and across bridges with motorized travel. In magnificently untamed country. From yucca In 1932, Clarke founded the Pacific Crest Trail particular, Warren Rogers, was instrumental these instances, recreationists should use and cactus in to alpine System Conference to lobby for and plan the in exploring sections of trail—a feat made all extreme caution by traveling only in daylight

Aaron Doss Aaron lichen in the ; from flows trail. Founding members of the Conference the more impressive because Rogers had been and wearing bright clothing. in Oregon to in Washington; the PCT included the Boy Scouts of America, the Young crippled by childhood polio. Today’s PCT provides a unique opportunity to experience In some areas, the trail passes through Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and a closely follows the route blazed by Rogers and the range of terrain, flora and fauna that privately owned lands. Although travel on the young photographer named . the relays from the 1930s. characterizes the western . trail is not restricted, users need to respect the During the summers of 1935 through 1938, Crater , OR On October 2, 1968, Lyndon Johnson rights of the landowners. signed the Act, which Wilderness permits are required for most of named the and the PCT as the congressionally designated the first national scenic trails. The Act defined Gail Lowe Gail Deems C. Burton through which the trail passes. In cooperation national scenic trails as “…extended trails so with federal agencies, the PCTA issues near Tehachapi, CA located as to provide for maximum outdoor wilderness permits for trips of 500 or more recreation potential and for the conservation ecozones: (above timberline); continuous miles in a single trip on the PCT. and enjoyment of the nationally significant subalpine forest; upper montane forest; Trail users planning to stay in developed scenic, historic, natural, or cultural qualities of lower montane forest; upper Sonoran (oak campgrounds may be able to reserve campsites the areas through which such trails may pass.” woodland, /grassland); and lower in advance. For detailed information on Sonoran (Mojave/Sonoran Deserts). Wildlife Over the next 20 years, land management a particular location, please contact that is abundant as the PCT weaves through the agencies, the Pacific Crest Trail Association recreation site directly. habitat of , salamanders, eagles, (PCTA), other organizations and countless roadrunners, , marmots, bear, , volunteers constructed nearly 1,000 miles of mountain goats, , and other trail. In 1993, at a golden spike ceremony in species. The trail is designated for pedestrian , 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 in unique ways and has a culture all of its Mexico to Canada; it is a trail that connects own. Usually the term “trail magic” is used

landscapes, communities, and people. Each to describe the kindness of strangers, who Lennox Joanne year, thousands of people from all over the sometimes come to be known as “trail angels.” world and from all walks of life embark on Trail magic may be as basic as the gift of a cold

PCT journeys. These journeys may last a few drink at a road crossing, or a ride into town Henzell Thunder” “Rolling John hours, a few days, or a few months. from a trailhead. It may be a home cooked meal, a clean pair of socks, or a soft bed to Among the most inspiring PCT journeys are sleep on for the night. It may be anything that those that encompass the trail’s entire 2,650- infuses a hiker or rider with gratitude and faith mile length. Around springtime, at the PCT’s in the human spirit. southern terminus near Campo, CA, several hundred northbound hopefuls begin the Another core aspect of PCT life is the adoption adventure of a lifetime: a thru-hike. A thru- of “trail names.” Thru-hikers, thru-riders and hike is a continuous journey along the length others who trek long distances along the PCT of the PCT – a walk or horseback ride from often give themselves (or are given) new names Mexico to Canada, or from Canada to Mexico. – names that convey personal characteristics, Along the way, thru-hikers and thru-riders personify the PCT’s wonders, have a spiritual experience the serenity and fullness of life at meaning, or are simply funny. Regardless of “Cucumber Boy” near Mount Baden-Powell, CA Hopi Horse near North Peak with in the background, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, OR nature’s cadence and meet residents of nearby their origins, trail names are another way communities, who sometimes perform acts of that trail users forge a community and make Join us for a peek into trail journals: profound generosity (called trail magic). connections – with nature and each other. “The fact that a footpath exists that stretches from “The forest this morning reminded me of an beautiful. Many times I was reminded of the “You may think one would get tired of so much For many PCT users, trail magic is tangible To communicate up and down the trail, hikers Mexico to Canada for 2,650 miles through mostly over-sized playroom. [, OR] Logs opening scene from The Sound of Music. scenery, day after day, but June and I will never evidence that the trail brings people together and riders often use trail journals or registers. untrammeled wild landscape still astonishes me. lay fallen across the earth as though two giants Water is plentiful and it is a joy to drink as get tired of the outdoors, the scenery or the clean Notebooks for this purpose can That I was able to walk it (over 4 months and had just begun a game of Pickup Sticks. Electric- much as I want.” mountain air out here. We may get bone weary be found in special boxes on the 6,300,000 steps!) seems like a dream. But the fact colored mushrooms exploded from beneath – Suzanne “Tailwinds” Finney and tired, from pushing so hard to make a trail itself, at trailheads, or in the that my experiences on the PCT, and subsequently the dirt in purple, yellow, and red. The , schedule, but not of the scenery, horseback riding John Price John businesses or post offices of local with the PCTA, changed the course of my life is a their trunks covered in knobs, resembled boa or outdoor life. We have a lot of fun when people towns. In addition to serving as day-to-day reality.” constrictors finishing a recent meal. The pines “The three of us watched in silence as the last we meet ask us where we are going, or where we a trail grapevine, the notebooks – Angela “Foxtail Pine” Ballard, author swayed and creaked in the breeze, groaning like sliver of the sun slipped below the horizon [Mount rode in from. I just say, Canada, or Mexico, and are used to record feelings and old, arthritic men. It was a landscape fertile for the Whitney, CA]. We talked as it fell, but at that grin, waiting for the next question, which isn’t long aspirations, frustrations and fears, imagination.” moment, as if on cue, our words disappeared, lost in coming. It takes about five minutes before some and more. Similarly, many PCT “So many dreams start from this unassuming – Sharon “Cloudspotter” Allen in the awe, stolen by the beauty. Sometimes you of them believe us. Many are the hours that we hikers and riders post writings on spot [the PCT’s southernmost point, Campo, CA]. simply stare.” have ridden in silent awe, as we look on nature Internet sites, available for all trail I had expected to feel the spirits of hikers past… – Daniel “Out of Order” Alvarez, Yale Law wonders. When you ride across some of these enthusiasts to enjoy. Thus there but instead I feel the spirits of those who have yet “There it was, a small, three-foot cement-rock School graduate, wore his PCT clothes , no sound breaks the stillness, except the is a continuous written record of to start their journey. Good omen, my altimeter monument, marking the PCT’s 1993 completion under his graduation gown dull thud of the horses’ feet, an occasional bridle trail life, penned by many authors. reads exactly 2915’, the same elevation listed on the [Soledad Canyon, CA]. The trail’s intersection chain tinkling and the creak of saddle leather.” monument. I am in sync. Now how about a little with Soledad Canyon is the PCT’s equivalent – Don Mulford, thru-rode the PCT with his wife Kings Canyon National Park, CA hike to Canada.” of the Transcontinental Railroad’s Promontory June 1959 – Mark “Cuddles” Votapeck, concert cellist Point. A circular brass survey marker tops the mini-obelisk, and I take my stub pencil from my

‘ten essential’ ditty bag and make a trace drawing. Dean Young Then I hike on.” Serena Becker Serena – Barney “Scout” Mann, lawyer, hiking to fulfill a

Barney “Scout” Mann Barney “Scout” forty-year-old dream

“We finished! At last I’ll be warm and dry. I 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 walls the next [in Northern CA]. This section is full of variety, all fascinating and

Goat Rocks Wilderness, WA with in the background Survey marker etching, Soledad Canyon, CA 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 and opportunities and the loss of open space. determination of volunteers and government Working with agency partners, volunteers are

agencies sharing passion for a superior trail Brittany Zapata the lifeblood of the trail. Each year volunteers experience and the belief that building a through the Pacific Crest Trail Association trail from Mexico to Canada would benefit (PCTA) provide support for more than generations to come. It is this same passion Bob Chapman Dolly Ballou and 2,650 miles of trail annually through major that drives volunteers today. Whether it’s rehabilitation projects, routine maintenance building new sections of trail, enjoying and additional administrative assistance. incredible vistas and panoramas with friends, or giving back to the land and providing an How you can help: Whether you’re an experience for others, all volunteers play a outdoor enthusiast and enjoy getting your critical role in strengthening the PCT. hands dirty, or show your support behind a desk, ample opportunities exist for Why we need your help: Heavy trail use, volunteering. The PCTA’s coordinator of floods, fires and overgrown vegetation can volunteer programs will put you in touch with cause tread , trail blockage and, in some local volunteers, leaders and projects near you. cases, permanent damage. The PCT is in Contact the PCTA online at www.pcta.org or constant need of maintenance and monitoring by phone at 916-285-1846. Volunteers south of , CA NAACP youths from Vancouver, WA, help re-build an eroded section of the PCT due to increased demand for recreation

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) have on natural resources. One poorly located a blazed trail and may remain under environment. Be cautious and alert for for bears. When bears repeatedly obtain is a national education campsite or one hiker cutting a trail switchback much of the year. Users should be proficient falling snags (dead trees) along the trail human food and garbage, they quickly learn program to lessen the may not seem significant, but thousands of in backcountry navigation and travel with and in campsites and picnic areas. Avoid to seek more. They become destructive effects people have on such instances seriously degrade the outdoor in areas with large numbers of dead appropriate topographic maps as well as a and dangerous, and often must be killed. public lands, especially experience for all. This means that practicing trees. compass or GPS. Regulations in some areas mandate proper wilderness areas. LNT is everyone’s responsibility. • Be weather wise. Avoid bare food storage and prohibit feeding of any LNT principles are Plan for your trip: Knowledge of the area, LNT Principles: tops, exposed places, lone trees, streams wildlife. Approved food storage canisters guidelines to follow at all times to reduce the weather, terrain and your limitations, plus a and rocks during lightning storms. Find are required in many areas and are strongly impact hundreds of thousands of visitors can • Plan ahead and prepare little common sense, can help to ensure a safe shelter in a densely forested area at a lower recommended in others. For food storage • Travel and camp on durable surfaces and enjoyable trip. elevation. Even in the summer, exposure to requirements in the Sierra, visit • Dispose of waste properly wind and rain can result in hypothermia. • Leave a copy of your itinerary with a www.sierrawildbear.gov. • Leave what you find responsible person. Include such details • Think before you drink! No matter Geisinger David 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 likely to contain water-borne parasites and • Respect wildlife you’ve anticipated and when you plan to microorganisms that can cause discomfort • Be considerate of other visitors return. and sometimes serious illness. Pack your water in, filter it, or purify it with For further information on the LNT program, • Travel with a companion. chemical treatment. Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Wilderness, WA 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 prompted Congress to pass the National Trails Park Service and California State Parks, the 916-285-1846 or visit at www.pcta.org. from the PCT Store (shop.pcta.org), from System Act in 1968. Today the National Trails PCTA is the primary non-profit champion the National Forest Store map sales (406- Trail conditions: Visit PCTA’s website or System includes 11 national scenic trails (shown and steward of the trail. The PCTA’s mission 329-3024), or www.fs.fed.us/recreation/ call toll-free 888-728-7245 (1-888-PC-Trail). on the map). There are also 16 national historic is to protect, preserve and promote the trail nationalforeststore, under “Special Area This service is supported by the U.S. Forest trails and more than 900 national recreation for future generations. As part of this mission, Maps.” The maps also are available at select Service and is an excellent resource for current trails (not shown on the map). PCTA volunteers donate thousands of hours outdoor recreation retail stores. each year to trail maintenance. conditions including closures. For more information about the National Trails Websites: Pacific Crest Trail Association: Guidebooks: The Pacific Crest Trail vol. I, System and a list of all national and historic The PCTA is also the central clearinghouse for www.pcta.org II & III from Wilderness Press by Jeffrey P. trails, visit www.nps.gov/nts. information regarding how to access the PCT, U.S. Forest Service: www.fs.fed.us/pct plan a trip on the PCT, trail conditions, and Schaffer, Ben Schifrin, Thomas Winnett, and more. Ruby Johnson Jenkins and the Pacific Crest Trail Data Book by Ben Go. Other guidebooks are available for purchase. Cover Photo: Cottonwood Pass, CA Aaron Doss 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 A N Chilliwack 3 EC Manning D A • 500 Miles C Cathedral Washington 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

I MOUNT S beyond the border by the Canadian government to provide access to Highway 3 in British L A Bellingham NATIONAL Columbia’s Manning Provincial Park (elev. 3,800'). N D PARK Valesco Joe” “Samuri Joe S T OKANOGAN- R A Starting with a lengthy climb out of the , the trail eventually reaches I T Stephen Cape O Victoria BAKER- Flattery F 20 Mather 20 the crest near the Wilderness, a lake-filled land abounding with . J U A N Wilderness Mount Vernon Next, it rounds the base of mammoth D E F U C (elev. 12,276'). Just north A WENATCHEE Omak Stehekin 48 ° 5 SNOQUALMIE 20 lies the dramatically rugged Goat Port Angeles Glacier Peak Rocks Wilderness and a traverse of the Lake Chelan 153 Davis Connie National Recreation Packwood Glacier. Wilderness Area 97 OLYMPIC NATIONAL The PCT’s northern terminus The trail crosses Highway 12 at Everett NATIONAL D before encountering dozens of in

NATIONAL N U Henry M Jackson the William O. Douglas Wilderness. Between White Pass and Highway 410 at

O

S Wilderness PARK Chelan , the trail skirts many lakes as it approaches the towering monarch 2 T Seattle E Skykomish FOREST of the Cascades, Mount Rainier (elev. 14,410'). From Chinook Pass, the trail has

G Bremerton U FOREST an easy, rapid run to Interstate 90 at . This stretch presents many P Alpine Lakes OLYMPIC 90 Wilderness private land clearcuts that offer little cover from the often present rain. NATIONAL 101 FOREST Snoqualmie Pass Wenatchee The offer many challenges. Here, the PCT climbs up a deep Chikamin Ridge near Snoqualmie Pass Tacoma 28 canyon to a high mountain pass, only to descend another deep canyon and repeat 47° E Cedar River 97 Watershed the cycle. The trail traverses popular Alpine Lakes, Henry M. 90 Aberdeen 410 Jackson and Glacier Peak Wildernesses before entering the Lake 8 W A 12 S H I 281 Olympia 165 G N G T Chelan , North Cascades National Park and 7 Norse Peak O N 90 Wilderness Ellensburg MOUNT Mount Rainier Pasayten Wilderness. The prime attraction is Glacier Peak, and the Isakson Kristen RAINIER Wilderness rugged route around it offers a memorable experience to trail users. NATIONAL N PARK Mt Rainier 410 Not only is the North Cascades Range rugged, it is the wettest along Centralia 123 William O. Douglas 97 the route, lying in a storm track most of the year. This 7 Wilderness 12 6 A has produced about 750 perennial snowfields and small glaciers, which 12 12 White Pass collectively account for about half the snowfield area in the lower 48 states. 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 Alaska cedar and grand , 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 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 • 458 Miles Wilderness Oregon 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 the

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

A WARM SPRINGS FOREST skyline. The only major elevation change in Oregon is the 3,160 foot drop into the Columbia River Gorge crossing 5 Olallie Lake Scenic Area INDIAN 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 a

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

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

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 noble fir at lower elevations and subalpine fir nearer treeline. Plants include FOREST 58 FOREST pinedrops, prince’s pine and Oregon grape in the forested habitat. Pasque Diamond Peak 5 Wilderness flower and fireweed frequent open spaces. Animals include mice, squirrels,

Coos Bay O R 97 , fox, and elk. pursue insects, while nutcrackers gorge E G O themselves on pine seeds and forage on the ground. 138 N

Mount Roseburg UMPQUA Thielsen 43° Wilderness NATIONAL Mt Thielsen

42 Tunnel Falls on the popular Eagle Creek side-trail 138 31 FOREST 230 FREMONT- Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax) 127 CRATER

62 LAKE NATIONAL ROGUE PARK • 409 Miles WINEMA - 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 101 Medford 140 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 Cascade - Klamath 140 Brookings Ashland 6 Siskiyou Falls , , , , fox, and the ever-present deer and black bear. In the 42° National ROGUE RIVER - SISKIYOU Monument 66 fall, skies are often filled with migrating birds on their journey south along the Pacific Flyway. NATIONAL FOREST Soda Mountain Siskiyou The PCT traverses Lassen Volcanic National Park and crosses Highway 89 midway through the Red Summit Wilderness Buttes Crescent 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 NATIONAL

D NATIONAL

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

89 Burney Falls 41° Wilderness Castle Crags 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 Hat Creek Rim toward majestic N Wilderness

A 139 Mount Shasta, which dominates the skyline. The PCT turns west towards 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 Sacramento River (elev. 2,130') at Interstate 5. 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 NATIONAL 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 Peak 44 F LASSEN VOLCANIC Oregon near this section’s end at Interstate 5 near Siskiyou Summit (elev. 4,310'). O NATIONAL PARK

R Susanville Hat Creek Rim 36 36 Lassen Volcanic E Wilderness 36 S Chester 40° 101 T Red Bluff 89 • 586 Miles PLUMAS Belden 395 70 NATIONAL 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 MENDOCINO 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 Recreation Area S from nearby (elev. 14,494') to join the PCT. The two trails merge and share the same path for most of the way to Highway 120 in ’s lush (elev. 8,690'). 49 Sierra City Reno I 89 TAHOE 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'), the NATIONAL Pass Ukiah 80 highest point on the entire trail. R Truckee 39° FOREST Grass LAKE 50 Yuba City Valley R

Wilderness TAHOE Carson City Colfax BASIN A 1 MGMT 20 Ashburn Desolation UNIT Mater James Wilderness South Lake N E ELDORADO Tahoe V A D A Pollock 395 Pines Echo Placerville 50 Lake Camino NATIONAL Mokelumne Santa Wilderness Rosa Sacramento HUMBOLDT- FOREST 88 TOIYABE Pioneer Carson- Napa Iceberg NATIONAL STANISLAUS Wilderness 88 4 Sonora FOREST 38° Pass Hathaway NATIONAL 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 4 W Lake View of from Lower Crabtree Meadows Mule Ears (Wyethia ovata) i Lee Oakland YOSEMITE ld 120 Vining Tuolumne e rn Meadows e San Francisco s s San 580 Groveland 120 s 120 After crossing Highway 108 at (elev. 9,620'), the trail begins a generally subalpine, relatively level traverse that Francisco NATIONAL m Bay Modesto a Fremont Yosemite d stays close to the Sierra crest until this section ends at Interstate 80 (elev. 7,200'). Volcanic rock formations can be found A O Valley l 395 e s Mammoth north of Yosemite, with increasing frequency from Sonora Pass to at Highway 50, and again near this s s 49 n e Lakes n PARK A r e Devils INYO section’s end, north of the . ld Postpile SanC i 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 SIERRA 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 North V Fork M 101 u serenade visitors’ ears. E NATIONAL 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 Monterey W FOREST PARK FOREST PARK N i l d Forester town near the Mexican border. It then passes through Lake e Pass r

n

Lone Barale Caitlin SEQUOIA e Mt Pine Morena County Park, tunnels beneath Interstate 8, and climbs s

s Whitney NATIONAL through chaparral, scrub oak and pines to the rim of the Laguna PARK Cottonwood 5 Pass Mountains. The trail dips into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visalia at Scissors Crossing, and then winds through the San Felipe Golden 190 36° Hanford Trout Hills and lesser mountains of the Cleveland National Forest Wilderness before crossing Highway 74 at 4,900 feet and climbing the LOS PADRES Springville SEQUOIA South Sierra backbone of the . It reaches its highest NATIONAL Wilderness Kennedy point in this section at 9,030 feet shortly before it plunges to FOREST Porterville NATIONAL Meadows Sherman Chimney Peak its lowest point, crossing beneath Interstate 10 at broad San Domeland Pass Wilderness Rd Wilderness Delano Gorgonio Pass (elev. 1,190'). 1 FOREST Kernville 4 From here, the PCT climbs steeply to the crest of two east/ The PCT’s southern terminus 178 Onyx west-oriented ranges, San Bernardino and San Gabriel ranges, Walker Pass Kiavah Ridgecrest often under welcome forest shade. It passes near and Lake Arrowhead before 178 Wilderness crossing Interstate 15 at near State Recreation Area. The vistas from the trail in these mountains include the Los Angeles Basin and Mojave Desert. To the west Pacic Crest National Scenic Trail Bakersfield San of Mount Baden-Powell and the Angeles Crest National Scenic Byway, the trail descends to 35° Luis 58 3 National Forest / Obispo Highway 14 at Agua Dulce, and then traverses the often brushy landscape of the Sierra Pelona. Tehachapi It 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 it S Mojave Santa Maria 3 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) / PA 58 crosses Highway 58 and enters the Sierra Nevada. 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 O ces that Manage Pacic Crest Trail Segments IO NA Vasquez active in recent geologic time. Animals in this section include lizards, , , Lompoc L Rocks Lancaster 247 1 Palm Springs -South Coast Field O ce 4 Bakerseld Field O ce ANGELES FO NF Natural coyotes and cougars. Hummingbirds can be seen darting about, gathering nectar. 2 El Centro Field O ce 5 Alturas Field O ce R Area 15 ES 138 T Park Pleasant View 3 Ridgecrest Field O ce 6 Ashland Resource Area/ Agua Ridge Point Dulce 18 Flora encountered generally include desert scrub, chaparral or oak, with Medford District O ce Conception Saugus Wilderness 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 Wrightwood 18 section, particularly in summer, when temperatures range from the 80s to 34° ANGELES Mt Baden- National Park / Oxnard Powell Lytle 138 Skyforest the low 100s. 101 NATIONAL Creek Pasadena Big National Park Wilderness Arcadia FOREST 18 SAN Bear San Gorgonio Glendora City Wilderness 38 10 Ontario San Bernardino

Tribal Lands Los BERNARDINO 62 JOSHUA Valentine Eric CHANNEL ISLANDS Angeles Riverside 2 NATIONAL PARK Anaheim 10 State or Provincial Park* NATIONAL Palm Springs NATIONAL Santa Mount San Jacinto 243 Ana Long State Park San Jacinto PARK County/Municipal Areas* Beach CLEVELAND 15 Hemet Idyllwild Wilderness San Jacinto NM NATIONAL FOREST Santa Rosa & 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 NATIONAL 79 State 78 Escondido 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 8 Wilderness Joshua Tree (Yucca breviflora) near Walker Pass 94 San Diego 1 94 Campo O I C M E X

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