Nearly 90% of PCT thru-hikers go northbound . It is recommended to start south and go north for several reasons: If you begin the hike in Canada, you cannot legally enter the U.S. using the Pacific Crest Trail, necessitating extra miles to get to the starting point.
What is the easiest part of the PCT?
Oregon . Oregon is by far the easiest section of the PCT: it’s almost flat and some hikers take the so-called “Oregon challenge” of hiking the 455 miles of this section in just 2 weeks.
When should I start southbound PCT?
Most northbound thru-hikers start the PCT in mid-April through early May. Southbound hikers generally start in late June through early July . Many people want to start early. Beware.
What is the hardest section of the PCT?
By far the most difficult stretch of PCT in Washington, Section K puts hikers through a grueling 127-mile trek over harsh terrain and treacherous conditions.
Should I hike the PCT?
As hard as hiking the PCT will be, it’s 100% worth it . The Pacific Crest Trail is notorious for having the lowest completion rate of any long-distance trail and you’ll see why when you’re on it. If you’re planning to hike the PCT, it takes commitment. Don’t give up on yourself too quickly when the going gets tough.
How do you flip flop PCT?
Before you go on, let us examine the term flip-flop (which also encompasses the individual terms flip and flop) from the Pacific Crest Trail lexicon. Basically when a thru-hiker skips a section of trail (the flip) and then later returns to hike the skipped section at a later point in the hike (the flop) .
How long does it take to hike PCT southbound?
That’s 3.5 months . Conventional wisdom for southbounders is that they should leave Canada around early July and reach Kennedy Meadows South in early to mid-October. That’s about three months, possibly a little more.
Which direction should I hike PCT?
Nearly 90% of PCT thru-hikers go northbound. It is recommended to start south and go north for several reasons: If you begin the hike in Canada, you cannot legally enter the U.S. using the Pacific Crest Trail, necessitating extra miles to get to the starting point.
When can I start the Sobo trail of the PCT?
We recommend starting northbound thru-hikes in late April or early May . Your start date will depend on the snow situation in the Sierra Nevada and in the mountains of Southern California. Start too early and you may be faced with dangerous snow travel around Mt.
What is the prettiest part of the PCT?
- #1: Mount Laguna. ...
- #2: Mount San Jacinto. ...
- #3: Mount Baden Powell. ...
- #4: Bishop Pass. ...
- #5: Senora Pass. ...
- #6: Hat Creek Rim. ...
- #7: Castle Crags. ...
- #8: Three Sister Wilderness.
What is the best stretch of the PCT?
- Mount Adams to Mount Rainier, South-Central Washington. Photo: Tim Nair/Shutterstock. ...
- North Cascades, North-Central Washington. ...
- The Sierra Nevada, Central California. ...
- Sky Lakes Wilderness, Central Oregon. ...
- San Jacinto Peak, Southern California.
Can you section hike the PCT?
The cables on the famed Eagle Creek Trail, a must do alternate for hikers on the PCT. You can start section hiking with little or no previous backpacking experience and, like I did, learn as you go. Over time, your expertise will grow and you can optimize your gear selection. Fitness for trail rigors will grow too.
Can a beginner hike the PCT?
While it is possible to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in either direction , the vast majority of backpackers start at the southernmost trailhead in Campo, California and hike north to Canada. Only about 10% of all thru-hikers start at the opposite end at the Manning Park trailhead, in British Columbia.
Is at or PCT harder?
Physical Difficulty. Many people assume that the PCT is the harder of the two trails because it goes so much higher in elevation. The PCT has a highest point of 13,153′ versus the AT’s measly 6,643′. While high altitude itself can pose some difficulties, the truth is that the AT is way steeper than the PCT .
Can you camp anywhere along the PCT?
Can you camp anywhere on the PCT? The answer is: No, you cannot camp just anywhere you want on the trail . While the PCT might sometimes look like one big campground with plenty of flat spots, you cannot make any place you want your campsite.
Why people quit the PCT?
The latest survey for 2017 showed a 52% drop-out rate* – based on 556 thru-hiking hopefuls who responded to the survey. Of these, the top 3 reasons for an early trail exit were: Injury (29%); Snow (14%), Fires (14%) . *It’s worth noting that the number of people who actually quit is far greater.
Is it safe to hike the PCT alone?
Trails like the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail are great places to start if you are new to solo hiking . There was rarely a day when I didn’t see people or camp at night with someone. You can choose how much you engage in community and solitude, how much you want to remove yourself from society.
Is the PCT crowded?
So, is the PCT crowded? The PCT can feel crowded depending on which month you start and in which direction . The Pacific Crest Trail Association estimates that somewhere between 700 and 800 individuals attempt the complete thru-hike each year, with a 60% completion rate.
How long does it take to hike Pacific Crest Trail?
How Long Does Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail Take? Hiking the entire 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail takes most thru-hikers five months . It took Mann and his wife, whose trail name is Frodo, exactly 155 days—and they hiked the trail at 47- and 55-years-old.
How often do you resupply on the PCT?
Generally, you can buy food every 4-10 days and save the effort and cost of resupply boxes. We recommend spending your money in the communities along the trail, shipping to a small number of remote locations and keeping it simple. Resupply – what and how to eat – is full of highly personal decisions.
What is Flip Flop hiking?
So really, what is a flip-flop? It’s simple. Instead of starting in Georgia or Maine and hiking north or south, you start, well, wherever you want and hike in whichever direction you’d like . Once you’ve reached the end you go back to where you originated from and walk in the opposite direction.
How many miles long is the Pacific Crest Trail?
How long is the trail? The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) is 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers) long.
Is it better to hike the AT northbound or southbound?
If you are a fast hiker and like to keep your pace, going southbound is easier in this sense, as it is faster to pass people when meeting them head on, rather than from behind. Walking northbound with the flow, you have the chance to walk with new people, if only for a few minutes when you keep the same pace.
How far did Cheryl Strayed walk?
In June 1995, the real Cheryl Strayed hiked 1,100 miles of the 2,663 mile long Pacific Crest Trail. The Wild movie true story reveals that Cheryl began her journey in Mojave, California and finished her 94-day trek at the Bridge of the Gods on the Oregon-Washington border.
How many miles can you hike in a day?
This will depend on several different factors, including; fitness levels, terrain, elevation, weather and pack weight. Taking this average pace and applying it to an 8-hour hiking day (not including rest breaks), it is possible for an average person to hike between 16 – 24 miles per day .
