It traverses every type of terrain the West has to offer, from snowy mountain passes to sandy deserts. Reviews (3545) Photos (5242) Zoe Navapanich reviewed Eagle Rock via the PCT. This section starts at the southern terminus of the PCT at the outlying town of Campo, California near the Mexican border. Once the trail hits Yosemite, it mellows out staying mostly below the alpine zone. Tax ID#: 33-0051202 Note: Trail Notes are optimized for booklet printing and formatted without extra white space around the borders. These closures are not conveniently placed at trailheads or road crossings, they often are in the middle of the trail. Tax ID#: 33-0051202 An interactive map of the Pacific Crest Trail complete with a state-by-state breakdown (length, highest elevation and highlights). Many smartphone GPS apps such at Gaia GPS, TopoMaps, MotionX GPS, etc. Wildfire smoke makes its appearance in this section of the trail sometime making it difficult to breathe. By Kelly Hodgkins: Kelly is a full-time backpacking guru. Map $14.89 $ 14. We do not do sponsored or paid posts. The National Geographic Maps series of 11 Pacific Crest Trail map booklets are convenient, detailed, up-to-date and designed for use on the trail. Eventually, the trail enters a glaciated landscape marked with steep peaks, deep canyons, and water-filled basins. The landscape is other-worldly with long flat stretches of desert that are dotted with Joshua trees and surrounded by steep mountains. Check out the trail on seamless topo maps, aerial photos, or fly over the terrain by clicking on the Google Earth link. The Pacific Crest Trail, also known as the PCT, is America’s second longest trail, stretching from Mexico to Canada through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. There are few places as spectacular as Glacier Peak, a 10,000-foot snow-capped volcano nestled deep in the Northern Cascades. © Anthony “Cruise” Mannello (@cruisehikes). The U.S. Forest Service series of 10 Pacific Crest Trail maps are plasticized and come with descriptions and photos. They sport a 1:75,000 scale (1 inch = 1.2 miles). Features such as park and wildfire boundaries, roads, cloud cover, and current snowpack totals can be displayed. I, II & III from Wilderness Press by Jeffrey P. Schaffer, Ben Schifrin, Thomas Winnett, and Ruby Johnson Jenkins and the Pacific Crest Trail Data Book by Ben Go. If you are printing this as single pages it… Click to download a high-quality PDF of this map that’s good for printing. To Print PDF: Step 1) Expand to full screen view (click box in top right hand corner of map). December 27, 2020. The PCT travels six miles along the rim of the lake providing outstanding views when the weather is clear. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/pacific-crest-trail The new PCT map series comprises 11 booklet-style maps printed on waterproof paper. Oregon is known for its coniferous forests, beautiful meadows, and the volcanoes that make up the landscape. Elevation chart and resupply locations. Short of being in the backcountry, it’s often the best way to experience a section of the trail. For instance, the PCT map at 24" wide, 150 dpi will result in a 6 foot high wall map. Far from civilizations, Glacier Peak is memorable for its densely forested valleys and a seemingly endless stream of sawtoothed peaks. To get complete mailing and other information click on the View Details links. Water also is scarce with hikers having to carry at least 2 to 4-liters to make it through the long, dry stretches. This section starts at Walker Pass, where the landscape transitions from dry desert scrub to lush meadows and conifer forests. Maps are a safety tool. Affiliate disclosure: We aim to provide honest information to our readers. PCT Maps Halfmile’s PCT maps have been replaced by a new series of Pacific Crest Trail maps from National Geographic. Join us in thanking these generous businesses for their support of the Pacific Crest Trail. When Pacific Crest Trail hikers reach Tuolumne Meadows, they are 942 miles from Mexico and 1,714 miles fr… Appalachian Trail Wall Map Pacific Crest Trail Wall Map Continental Divide Trail Wall Map Triple Crown of Hiking set of all 3 Wall Maps Length 2,190 miles 2,650 miles 3,100 miles 8,000 miles Highest Point Clingmans Dome 6,643' Forester Pass 13,153' Grays Peak 14,278' - Total Number of Hikers 2–3 million yearly 1 million yearly The new PCT map series comprises 11 booklet-style maps printed on waterproof paper. The trail is basically a hike through a series of volcanic mountains which culminates at Mount Hood, Oregon's largest and most active volcano. Printable PDF version available. As you come to the end of the trail in California, the jagged peaks of California give way to the rounded mountains of the Oregon Cascades, and the mighty Mount Shasta dominates the horizon. The printable Pacific Crest Trail maps and segment guides are provided below as a free community service by TRAILSOURCE.COM to all prospective PCT thru-hikers. Step 2) Zoom in to your desired map section view. Wall Maps Print out your favorite trail to 6 feet high. The Pacific Crest Trail vol. Non-wilderness National Forests are more likely to have road systems that you can walk. Explore PCT MAPS - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. All of the PCT-specific maps show only the narrow band of the trail. The highlight of this section is the Mojave desert, which is the driest desert in North America. Get epic tips, guides and how-to's in your inbox every two weeks. The Cascade mountains in Oregon are the shortest and easiest section of the PCT to hike. Southern California. So let’s begin our PCT northbound hike! They are made in partnership with PCTA. In Yosemite, the trail's highest point is 11,056 feet at Donohue Pass at the park's southern border, and the lowest spot is 7,560 feet near Benson Lake. Formed when the volcano Mount Mazama collapsed, it is the deepest lake in the US and the ninth deepest in the world. The trial in this section has long dry stretches in between creeks and lakes. This part of the PCT winds its way through the hot and arid desert where you hit your first significant climbing in the San Jacinto mountains. Halfmile's extensive notes about Pacific Crest Trail in handy .PDF file format. The PCT (Section 26) is located 3.4 miles from Big Bear Lake, California (CA) on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. If you are using a desktop computer or Garmin GPS, scroll down this page to the .ZIP links.All data… Pacific Crest Trail Association 1331 Garden Highway, Suite 230 Sacramento, CA 95833; 916-285-1846 main 916-285-1865 fax; PCTA is a 501(c)(3). This map was created by a user. Hikers have to hike out to the closed section and back if they want to cover the entire length of the PCT. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Map Pack Bundle includes eleven Topographic Map Guides that cover the entire PCT as it traverses the incredible terrain of the Cascades of Oregon and Washington, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Mojave Desert of California. Pacific Crest Trail (map) Crossing California, Oregon, and culminating in Washington, the Pacific Crest Trail (often shortened to PCT) stretches from Mexico to Canada, roughly following the high mountain ridges of the three westernmost states. Mount Whitney is not part of the PCT, but most hikers take an extra day to hike California's highest peak. The U.S. Forest Service stewards a digital centerline for the PCT. Approx Length: 648 miles (0 to 648)Highest Point: 9,030 ft (San Jacinto mountains)Overview and Why it is Awesome: This section starts at the southern terminus of the PCT at the outlying town of Campo, California near the Mexican border. At the PCTA offices, we use Google Earth heavily. The info was gathered by the popular “Halfmile” mapping team, and were proofed and verified by PCT: Oregon for their accuracy. Even though its the desert, Animals are abundant. Download the free Big Bear City topo map. will import this data using the smartphone web browser. 1. The Pacific Crest Trail around Muir Pass in Google Earth. 41 Backpacking Food Ideas from the Appalachian Trail, Ultralight Backpacking Gear List | 8.5 lb Base Weight (Full Comfort), 14 Best Ultralight Backpacking Tents in 2020, 14 Best Ultralight Backpacking Sleeping Bags for 2020. The trail follows the spine of the Cascades until it reaches Canada's Manning Park. Highest Point: 9,030 ft (San Jacinto mountains). These maps are the evolution of the famed Halfmile Maps. This page is far from comprehensive. There is a reason why John Muir was so fond of the Sierra Nevadas - the scenery in the range is among the most beautiful in the world. Quality PCT maps are essential for anyone who hikes on the trail. They sport a 1:63,300 scale (1 inch = 1 mile). The highlight of this wilderness section is Glacier Peak and its surrounding wilderness area. Lots of other sources of information exist for the PCT. The National Geographic Maps series of 11 Pacific Crest Trail map booklets are convenient, detailed, up-to-date and designed for use on the trail. They are a little large and are designed to be cut in half for easier use. You’re more likely to find connector trails for loops in Wilderness areas and National Parks. Equal parts backpacking food and ultralight gear. Some sections have vast networks of connector trails you can utilize to form a fantastic loop. This section has a little bit of everything - dry parts reminiscent of the southern California desert, craggy peaks similar (but not as steep) to the Sierras, lush forests and meadows fueled by nutrient-rich volcanic soils and ample rain. Each 3-ounce map booklet covers a 240-260 mile section of trail, with two-page map spreads showing a 10-mile wide corridor, along with elevation profiles. Printing at a width of 12", 24" or 36", for most maps, will result in high quality printed map 3 to 12 feet in height! Google Earth is a free application that provides a remarkable aerial view of the entire Pacific Crest Trail. This section has its own challenges, though. This comes at no extra cost to you. Pacific Crest Trail: Mexico to Canada. Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail metrics. The highest part of the PCT, Forrester pass (13,153 feet), immediately follows Whitney giving PCT hikers back-to-back days of big elevation. Smartphones are great but they break and their batteries die. The PCT travels through Lassen Volcanic National Park, which is an area of active underground volcanic activity. Map The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, which lie 100 to 150 miles (160 to 240 km) east of the U.S. Pacific coast. She can be found on New Hampshire and Maine trails, leading group backpacking trips, trail running or alpine skiing.About Greenbelly: After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Chris Cage created Greenbelly to provide fast, filling and balanced meals to backpackers. Maps: The PCT Map Series, … Our gallery-quality maps show the terrain in incredible detail and will last for decades. The biggest of these hot springs is Boiling Spring Lake, one of the largest hot springs in the world. There are even a few grizzlies that prowl the northern Cascades. As compared to the desert, temperatures are moderate, and water is more plentiful in the Sierra Nevadas. National Geographic: Pacific Crest Trail Wall Map in gift box Wall Map (18 x 48 inches) (National Geographic Reference Map) by National Geographic Maps | Jan 1, 2020. The desert section part of the PCT is difficult because of hot and dry conditions during the day and near freezing temperatures at night. The PCT skirts along the side of Mount Hood providing a close-up look at the basalt cliffs and many glaciers that make up this majestic peak. The Pacific Crest Trail (often shortened to PCT) stretches from Mexico to Canada, tracing the high mountain ridges of California, Oregon and Washington. Complete list of supporters, What you should know about fire restrictions, warnings and watches, Honest talk about toilet paper and uncovered feces, The case for carrying a pee rag while hiking, Tips to navigate the start of a thru-hike, Getting to and from the Northern Terminus, Getting to and from the Southern Terminus, Reduce your chance of contracting communicable diseases, Danger from individuals cultivating marijuana, Emergency beacons, lost hikers, trip plans, and search and rescue, Encountering Border Patrol on the Southern Pacific Crest Trail, Bear canister requirements and protecting your food, Stream crossing safety while hiking and backpacking, PCTA Saw Training and Certification Program Documents, Estacada Crosscut Saw Training and Certification, North Cascades Saw Training and Certification, Southern California Saw Training and Certification Weekend, Wind River Saw Training and Certification Weekend, National Geographic Maps series of 11 Pacific Crest Trail map booklets, U.S. Forest Service series of 10 Pacific Crest Trail maps, is also available for Google Earth and GPS, maps of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Columbia River Gorge, Guidance for Visiting the PCT During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Commercial permits and special-use authorizations. Trail Notes can be printed in compact "booklet" format using Acrobat Reader (4 pages per sheet of paper). You can pan and zoom from campsite to water source, peak to valley. Tax ID#: 33-0051202 Now there is one complete map set covering all 455 miles of the PCT thru Oregon. Washington begins with the crossing of the Bridges of the Gods from Cascade Locks, Oregon (140 ft), the lowest point on the PCT, to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The mailing information is always in flux. They are great for planning adventures, getting an overview or for shorter hikes. No matter the circumstances hiker get a small boost in this section when they hit the midpoint marker, a small stone monument at mile 1320.7. Pacific Crest Trail Resupply Locations. Pacific Crest Trail Association 1331 Garden Highway, Suite 230 Sacramento, CA 95833; 916-285-1846 main 916-285-1865 fax; PCTA is a 501(c)(3). Information changes frequently and you should assume that your map isn’t 100% accurate. The Pacific Crest Trail Association website is the central source for PCT information, including planning a PCT journey, trail conditions along the length of the trail, maps and guides, crossing the Canadian border, and volunteering to help maintain and manage the PCT. The Mojave desert ends at Tehachapi Mountains which is the gateway to the Sierra Nevadas. There also are water crossings which can be difficult depending on the seasonal snow or rainfall. Underground water is heated by molten lava underneath the park producing pools of boiling water and bubbling mud called fumaroles. They are made in partnership with PCTA. The files below are hosted on the US Forest Service PCT webpage. The Pacific Crest Trail stretches over 2,650 miles from the Mexican to Canadian border, following the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade mountain ranges. 4.8 out of 5 stars 243. Most of the trail is desert scrub and cacti with forests at the higher elevations. Pacific Crest Trail. Search for a journal, create a journal, add/edit an entry, configure your journal, EMail updates, integrated Google trail map, PLB locations and more. Pacific Crest Trail Association 1331 Garden Highway, Suite 230 Sacramento, CA 95833; 916-285-1846 main 916-285-1865 fax; PCTA is a 501(c)(3). Learn how to create your own. Following all are the major resupply locations found along the Pacific Crest Trail. To avoid the blazing temps and blistering sun, hikers will find shade to take a siesta during the day and hike their miles in the morning and evening. Check out the full featured Pacific Crest Trail Planner! Hikers should be prepared to hike through the snow, sleet or rain depending on the season. Trail Name: Pacific Crest Trail Forest Service Designation: PCT 2000 Total Distance: 19.6 miles Overview: The Pacific Crest Trail is a national scenic trail from Mexico and Canada, over 2,650 miles of trail with approximately 40 miles running through the Big Bear Valley. Chris also wrote How to Hike the Appalachian Trail. This post may contain affiliate links. The Pacific Crest Trail, commonly known by backpackers as the PCT, is a popular 2,650 mile thru-hike from Mexico in the south to Canada in the north along the western United States. Each year, many hikers embark on a journey along the entire length of the trail, while many more utilize it for day hikes or shorter overnight backpacking trips. Washington is the wettest state on the trail, positioned in a storm track that dumps rain or snow year-round. California a. Northern California has been known to lack the wow factor of the glacier-carved peaks in the Sierra Nevadas, but it has its own charms. This section ends in the Granite Chief Wilderness, just outside Lake Tahoe. "The Pacific Crest Trail" Vols, 1&2, 1990) The article "PCT Northbound Hiking Rates" is by courtesy of Steve Shuman. In exchange for referring sales, we may receive a small commission through affiliate links. 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