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

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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Trail Ratings

5.0 from 5 votes

#1

in Southern California

#125

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5.0 from 5 votes

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1,847 Since Feb 10, 2016

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Photos

BearSnack's 2015 PCT Thru Hike.

Looking across the Chinook Pass highway towards Sourdough Ridge

Stunning view of Rainier at sunset. Bring headlamps!

Fin Dome from the PCT.

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

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

Fin Dome from John Muir Trail

Tuolumne Falls from the PCT.

Lembert Dome and the Tuolumne River

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

Views of the valley below from the Pacific Crest Trail

Cascading Falls

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

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

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

Saphire Lake with Mt. Darwin in the background.

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

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

Just above Lower Echo Lake.

Enjoy phenomenal views of Tuolumne Meadows from Soda Springs.

Kitty kitty katwalk - twlight

Union Peak as seen from the fork between the PCT and Union Peak trail.

Overlook on the descent from Cold Canyon.

Cool rock formation!!

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

Heading into Toulumne meadow!

View from the PCT

Soda Springs in Toulumne Meadows

Lyle Canyon in the background.

The Tuolumne River in Tuolumne Meadows!

Heading through Meiss Meadow.

Deep Creek.

Dawson Saddle/PCT view

Wildflowers going off!

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

Snow among the scree.

Gorgeous slopes.

Lakes ahoy!

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.

What later becomes the waterfall

Snowy cliffs

Wildflowers along the trail.

Part of the PCT

Pear Lake view

Great views for the saddle.

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

Looking at the canyon below.

View from the cliff.

Cutthroat Pass.

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

Dick's Pass

Crabtree Meadow behind Whitney

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

Deep creek.

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

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

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

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

Miller Lake.

So many switchbacks!

Climbing the rope that leads down to Cooper Canyon Falls.

Cooper Canyon Falls in late spring.

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

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

Morena Butte

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

Across Cottonwood Vly to Lagunas

Mt. Hood from the Mt. Baldy Ridge.

Lake Morena

Eagle Crick drainage from Waucoma Ridge.

Trail Sign above Hauser Canyon

Deep snow in May. Hiking for twlight hour.

Ridgeline

Valleys in the distance

Susie Lake - North View.

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

Lake Morena Ahead

Hacienda del Florasol

Hauser Canyon

Doug Fir.

Eagle Crick drainage from Waucoma Ridge.

View from Tuolumne River.

View from The Bridge of the Gods towards Washington.

Hill, hill, hills

Above Lost Lake

Glen Aulin Falls

Tuolumne Pass Riverside Camp.

More views along the Tuolumne River.

Fading light

Storm rolling over Mammoth Mountain as seen in Tuolumne Meadows

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

Desert plains

Looking north across the gorge into WA.

Summit Valley.

Pyramid Peak, Desolation Wilderness, California.

Looking up from the small lake.

The Pacific Crest Trail along Lower Echo Lake.

On the trek to Upper Echo Lake.

Massive talus fields engulf the banks of Heather Lake.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Castle Peak from Round Valley.

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

Another view of Cooper Canyon Trail camp.

Looking down into the creek from the trail

On her way to the summit of Castle Peak!

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.

10/30 - the day after it rained.

Looking at out at the desert from the PCT.

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

Rain shadow effect.

Pacific Crest Trail south of Cutthroat Pass.

Upper Truckee Valley

Hiker on Pacific Crest Trail south of Cutthroat Pass.

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

Flowers near Cutthroat Pass.

Whitney from the west side

View west from Grasshopper Pass.

Bryan Meadow as seen in summer.

Looking south along the PCT.

Sunrise on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Swamp Creek Valley.

A trail with a view.

McClure Meadow.

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

Tuolumne River.

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

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

Homes around Echo Lake.

Lodge from start of trail.

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

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

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

Crossing Kings Creek.

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

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.

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

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

On PCT: Highway 15 to Agua Dulce.

The Path of Choice

Big Muddy crossing.

Lower Twin Lake wetlands.

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

Diamond Peak From Mountain Creek PCT.

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.

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.

Bridge Creek Stehekin Washington.

Parking area approaching Timberline Lodge

Barker Peak.

Trailhead on Jul 17, 2016.

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.

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

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

A rocky portion of the trail tests your ankle strength.

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

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

Two hikers ascend the Fuller Ridge Trail (PCT).

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

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

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

Kitchen Creek Rd at its crossing with the Pacific Crest Trail

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

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

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

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

The Pacific Crest Trail is still verdant in June.

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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°)
Unknown Update

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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#125

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#125

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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

#125

#1

#20

#125

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.

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Showcase hiking trails on your site