Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) spans some 2,700 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border through wilderness areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, terminating at the U.S.-Canada Border. The PCT follows the crest of the Southern California, the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges.
In 2021, I completed a northbound border-to-border thru-hike of the PCT. Though I captured the trail’s spectacles in thousands of photos, I regretfully did not meticulously journal my walk. These thousands of miles and accompanying memories inspired the start of my personal website and blog.
“Chairman”
The beard. The long hair. The Southern, Georgia twang. You’ll find him perched at the vista point of a rugged climb, kicked back in his collapsible chair, puffing on a hand-rolled cigarette, cracking some foolhardy jokes. There isn’t a more classic personality to meet on a long-distance trail than the Chairman. He’s a brilliant character – some cowboy you might find out of a Tarantino or Eastwood film. After our acquaintance at Mission Creek, I knew I wanted to stay in his vicinity. He’s now a Triple Crowner with many more miles ahead.
“Cabana Boy”
Starting out of Julian with him, I didn’t know what to think. He seemed too pretty and muscular to be a dirty hiker. Nonetheless, Cabana Boy could grind. We hit it off climbing out of the Anza Borrego to San Jacinto, entertaining conversations about the military (thank you for your service), choice of breakfast (milk was a bad choice), and more. In the desert, he proved to be a capable snake charmer, taming rattlers with his poles. In Northern California, he ingeniously repurposed his ice ax, tilling his campsite prior to pitching his tent. He’s an agile lead guitarist, though his distaste for Led Zeppelin stings a bit. Its just a vibe.
“Miyagi”
Despite insecurity about the size his calves, this guy hauls. He arrives at camp two hours ahead of most, getting dinner and a movie in before I’d even pitch my tent. In town, he holds thru-hiking records for quantity and length of showers and most ice cream sandwiches consumed. I met him on the climb to Mount Laguna on my third day. The PCT was his first long-distance trail, yet this guy seemed to have few thousand miles under his belt. He’s got that fair, refreshing, and direct East Coast humor and a timeless personality. Miyagi is a Michelin Star chef for his renowned dish, the ramen bomb. I hope to be finding him and his identifying LIFE magazine tat on a trail real soon.
Southern California
Mexican Border – Kennedy Meadows South
Beginning at the Mexican border, the PCT skirts the Colorado and Mojave deserts of eastern California, tracking the Peninsular and Transverse Ranges north.
The Sierra
Kennedy Meadows South – South Lake Tahoe
The trail enters the Sierra Nevada – arguably some of greatest American backcountry and undoubtedly my dearest landscape – including territories of King’s Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Park.
Northern California
South Lake Tahoe – 42nd Parallel North
The landscape transitions from the granite of Sierras into the active volcanic arc of the Cascades, passing by Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta.
Oregon
42nd Parallel North – Columbia River
The arid forests of Southern Oregon transition into ancient volcanos and craters the likes of Crater Lake, Three Sisters Wilderness, and Mt. Hood.
Washington
Columbia River – Canadian Border
Climbing out of the Columbia River Gorge, the trail touches the wildernesses of Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, and Glacier Peak en route to the Northern Cascades and the Canadian border.