Name: Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
Rating: 5.0

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Sep 29, 2016

Sarah Wright

Best 5 months and 4 days of my life. This trail is a beauty. 2650mi

Sep 25, 2016

Andrew Choi

Sep 18, 2016

Andrew Choi

Aug 20, 2016

Troy Heine

12h 00m

May 4, 2016

Sarah Kahermanes

Apr 3, 2016

R. David Brown

Clear skies, temp at 55. Jumping off at 74 TH up into Penrod Canyon, possibly Live Oak Spring. Just a day hike out and back.

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5.0 from 5 votes

#1

in Southern California

#211

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5.0 from 5 votes

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2,096 Since Feb 10, 2016

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Looking across the Chinook Pass highway towards Sourdough Ridge

One of the many wonderful lakes

Stunning view of Rainier at sunset. Bring headlamps!

BearSnack's 2015 PCT Thru Hike.

Rae Lakes, Pacific Crest Trail, Kings Canyon National Park.

Fin Dome from the PCT.

A few rock cairns along the way. Red mountain in the background.

A beautiful, 2000+ year old limber pine; amazing!

These formations in Lyell Canyon make for great swimming holes along the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park.

Fin Dome from John Muir Trail

Enjoy phenomenal views of Tuolumne Meadows from Soda Springs.

Tuolumne Falls from the PCT.

Lembert Dome and the Tuolumne River

Cascading Falls

Fields of lupine and american bistort blanket the Goat Rocks Wilderness.

Views of the valley below from the Pacific Crest Trail

Wildflowers going off!

Even in Mid-July, this section of the PCT can be nearly impassable due to snow.

Thousand Island Lake shines a deep blue on the approach along the John Muir Trail.

Just above Lower Echo Lake.

Tuolumne Meadows lies lush and verdant on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park.

Saphire Lake with Mt. Darwin in the background.

Kitty kitty katwalk - twlight

The views are spectacular looking down the drainage toward Packwood Lake and Mt. Rainier.

Heading into Toulumne meadow!

Deep Creek.

Soda Springs in Toulumne Meadows

Great picnic site at Showers Lake. Okay fishing, good swimming, quiet...

Lyle Canyon in the background.

View from the PCT

Heading through Meiss Meadow.

Dawson Saddle/PCT view

The Tuolumne River in Tuolumne Meadows!

Overlook on the descent from Cold Canyon.

Cool rock formation!!

So many switchbacks!

Taking a quick break amidst towering evergreens on the Mt. Judah Loop.

Cutthroat Pass.

Pear Lake view

Part of the PCT

Snow among the scree.

What later becomes the waterfall

Lakes ahoy!

Granite cliffs cast shadows over the green waters of Heather Lake.

Looking at the canyon below.

Grandpa helps hike during the gradual incline. Our 2.5yr old hiked about a third of the trail.

View from the cliff.

Gorgeous slopes.

Wildflowers along the trail.

Hikers picking their way through a small boulder field along the PCT.

Evolution Lake glimmers in the sun with the main campsite in the foreground. Mt. Mendel and Mt. Darwin command the skyline on the right side.

Snowy cliffs

Dick's Pass

You'll enjoy a great view looking over Upper and Lower Echo Lakes from the trail to Tamarack Lake.

Miller Lake.

When you reach the PCT, you'll find this sign.

Heading back into the trees, coming down form the Kendall Katwalk.

Deep creek.

Lake Sally Ann can be a lot less welcoming at some times than others. Be warned: this was mid-July.

A 'meeting of the minds' at the intersection of the Young Lakes Trail.

Crabtree Meadow behind Whitney

Pyramid Peak, Desolation Wilderness, California.

Lake Morena Ahead

Great views for the saddle.

On the trek to Upper Echo Lake.

Enjoy gorgeous views of Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter from Island Pass on the John Muir Trail.

Cooper Canyon Falls in late spring.

Lake Morena

Valleys in the distance

Hauser Canyon

Trail Sign above Hauser Canyon

The view gets better and better as you approach Donohue Pass on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park.

Deep snow in May. Hiking for twlight hour.

Diamond Peak.

Ridgeline

Across Cottonwood Vly to Lagunas

Climbing the rope that leads down to Cooper Canyon Falls.

An early morning ascent of Donohue Pass on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite rewards you with this view.

Doug Fir.

Eagle Crick drainage from Waucoma Ridge.

Sublime beauty can always be found along the shore of Echo Lakes.

Mt. Hood from the Mt. Baldy Ridge.

Susie Lake - North View.

Massive talus fields engulf the banks of Heather Lake.

Hacienda del Florasol

We found a shady place to rest along the trail, a perfect sitting rock.

Eagle Crick drainage from Waucoma Ridge.

Morena Butte

Small pinnacles flank the Pacific Crest Trail on the way to Kitchen Creek.

View from Tuolumne River.

Storm rolling over Mammoth Mountain as seen in Tuolumne Meadows

A hiker explores the rocks just east of the Warner Springs section of the PCT.

10/30 - the day after it rained.

Another view of Cooper Canyon Trail camp.

Looking down into the creek from the trail

A glimpse of Lake Mary from the Pacific Crest Trail near Donner Pass.

Summit Valley.

More views along the Tuolumne River.

Glen Aulin Falls

The Pacific Crest Trail is still verdant in June.

Two hikers ascend the Fuller Ridge Trail (PCT).

Kitchen Creek Rd at its crossing with the Pacific Crest Trail

Tuolumne Pass Riverside Camp.

Starting point for NB and ending point for the SB! Early morning for Day 1 to camp at Lake Morena, a VERY long day...

The Pacific Crest Trail along Lower Echo Lake.

Castle Peak from Round Valley.

View from The Bridge of the Gods towards Washington.

On her way to the summit of Castle Peak!

About to take a dip in the small alpine lake.

Looking back on the trail, you can just see the trail back to the little lake through the trees.

Delate Creek makes for a good spot to fill up on a Spectacle Lake adventure.

Western columbine wildflower on Pacific Crest Trail in Russian Wilderness

Cole (2.5 yrs) was 3' tall here, you can see the depth in the west portion of the lake. The eastern portion is deeper.

Pacific Crest Trail in Russian Wilderness

Pacific Crest Trail sign with Mount Shasta in the background at intersection of Music Creek Trail in Russian Wilderness

View of Mount Shasta and Lipstick Lake from Pacific Crest Trail in Russian Wilderness

Pacific Crest Trail in Russian Wilderness

Looking up from the small lake.

The closest snow to the trail on our late July hike.

The loop around Timothy Lake on the Timothy Lake Trail, Southshore Trail, and PCT is about 13 miles. This is the north end of the Timothy Lake Trail by Little Crater and the PCT junction. Photo by Gene Blick.

This part of the Pacific Crest Trail heads north toward the Twin Lakes Trail junction. The trail is fairly wide and popular with equestrians. Photo by Yunkette.

Hill, hill, hills

This is the upper junction with the PCT and Twin Lakes Trail. The section that heads down to Upper Twin Lakes is much less crowded and more rugged. dPhoto by Yunkette.

Looking north across the gorge into WA.

Hiking south on the PCT.

Above Lost Lake

The Hidden Lake Trail intersection with the PCT. You can loop back down on Paradise Park Trail. Photo by Wanderingyunks.

A sturdy bridge makes this stream crossing easy on the Ramona Falls Loop, PCT section. Photo by Ethan Douglass.

CCC camp in Marble Valley. They will stay here for a week or two doing trail maintenance, and then move to another location. There were several more tents outside of the picture and lots of heavy hand tools.

View of Mount Shasta from Pacific Crest Trail in Russian Wilderness

Hiker on Pacific Crest Trail south of Cutthroat Pass.

Swamp Creek Valley.

Pacific Crest Trail south of Cutthroat Pass.

Flowers near Cutthroat Pass.

Looking south along the PCT.

Looking at out at the desert from the PCT.

View west from Grasshopper Pass.

Rain shadow effect.

A trail with a view.

Whitney from the west side

Upper Truckee Valley

Bryan Meadow as seen in summer.

Sunrise on the Pacific Crest Trail.

The Timberline Trail is quite rooty just east of the PCT junction, headed to McNeil Point. Photo by Yunkette.

Fading light

Daily snowmelt makes certain sections of the trail into creeks... I'm grateful for good boots and waterproofing!

McClure Meadow.

A day-visitor on the Pacific Crest Trail early in the morning.

Tuolumne River.

Foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana ssp. austrina) near Arrowhead Lake on John Muir Trail

Kellogg's Lily in Russian Wilderness

Crossing Kings Creek.

Paynes Lake off Pacific Crest Trail in Russian Wilderness.

Crossing log-clogged outlet of Paynes Lake off Pacific Crest Trail in Russian Wilderness.

Views of the east side of the Cascades, as seen from the flank of Diamond Peak on the PCT.

Pacific Crest Trail above Lipstick Lake in Russian Wilderness

A water spot on the flank of Diamond Peak while on the PCT.

Summit City Canyon Trail meets up with the PCT and offers phenomenal views of the High Sierra and quiet solitude.

Homes around Echo Lake.

Lodge from start of trail.

Black Marble Mountain in the center, Marble Mountain is much lower, near the left side, Marble Gap is between them. Marble Valley is in the center. Box Camp Mountain is on the extreme right.

3rd Gate Trail Log - giving it 5 stars because there was a water cache here!!!

Coming into Cooper Canyon Trail Camp. A large area with great amenities.

The north face of San Jacinto Peak is 1.25 miles to the northeast.

Desert plains

Ravenhome

Whale Peak sunset.

Buck in velvet encountered in the woods along the trail to Dog Lake.

Trail leading from the parking lot to Dog Lake, Lembert Dome, and Young Lakes. The trails break off the further you walk along the sandy, gravel path seen here.

One of Yosemite Nat'l Park's rangers at work!

Big Muddy crossing.

Monday Maniacs take a break on the Warner Springs section of the PCT.

Beautiful rock formations adorn the trail as you ascend to Fuller Ridge.

Meiss Cabin

On PCT: Highway 15 to Agua Dulce.

A view up to the lift on top of Mt. Lincoln.

Bridge Creek Stehekin Washington.

The Path of Choice

A water-stressed cactus limps through the heat during the drought of 2016.

The PCT section between the lower (shown) and upper Twin Lakes Trail junctions, as well as the Twin Lakes Trail north of upper Twin Lakes, is in wilderness. Photo by Yunkette.

Heartleaf arnica wildflower on Pacific Crest Trail in Russian Wilderness

Pacific Crest Trail sign at intersection of Paynes Lake Trail in Russian Wilderness

One of many lakes between Divide Lake and Diamond Peak, seen not far from the PCT.

San Ysidro Creek

This is the Top Spur Trail #785 junction with the PCT. The Timberline Trail #600 junction is 100 feet to the right. Photo by Yunkette.

Lower Twin Lake wetlands.

Parking area approaching Timberline Lodge

Sunset Above Tuolumne River

Trail to campsite near outlet on Paynes Lake in Russian Wilderness

Diamond Peak From Mountain Creek PCT.

Barker Peak.

The Monday Maniacs celebrate Hersch's 400th hike at the end of the day.

A rocky portion of the trail tests your ankle strength.

View looking northwest, running up towards Cutthroat Pass.

Frog Lake Sno Park Trailhead serves the PCT, Twin Lakes, Frog Lake and Frog Lake Butte trails for both winter and summer. Photo by Yunkette.

Crossing Porcupine Creek on the trail up to Cutthroat Pass.

Heading north after running through Cutthroat Pass.

PCT between Stevens Pass and Valhalla Lake, September.

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2,696.2 Miles 4,339.1 Kilometers 90% Singletrack	430,741' 131,290 m Ascent -429,751' -130,988 m Descent
13,133' 4,003 m High 103' 31 m Low	5% Avg Grade (3°) 42% Max Grade (23°)
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Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)

2,696.2 Miles 4,339.1 Kilometers

90%

430,741' 131,290 m

-429,751' -130,988 m

13,133' 4,003 m

103' 31 m

5%

42%

Unknown

“Needs Adoption”

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#211

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#39

#211

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Adopt This Hike

Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)

2,696.2 Miles 4,339.1 Kilometers

90%

430,741' 131,290 m

-429,751' -130,988 m

13,133' 4,003 m

103' 31 m

5%

42%

Unknown

“Needs Adoption”

Overview

Hike Sections

Description

Rate Featured Hike

Get On-Trail Navigation

Check-Ins

Trail Ratings

#1

#211

#1

#39

#211

Conditions

Photos

0 Comments

Nearby Hikes

Hiking Project is part of the REI Co-op family,where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Free Widgets: Showcase hiking trails on your site

Mountain Project

MTB Project

Powder Project

Hiking Project

Trail Run Project

National Park Guide

Hiking Project is part of the REI Co-op family,
where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Free Widgets:
Showcase hiking trails on your site