The nearly 2,700-mile long Pacific Crest Trail crosses six ecozones in the American West, from lower Sonoran desert in southern California to the arctic-alpine zone in the High Sierra. Each environment presents its own obstacles: Rivers swollen with snow-melt are dangerous to cross, ice fields block mountain passes, and blazing heat enervates hikers. There’s a narrow window during which it is possible to thru-hike.
When to Start a PCT Thru-Hike
The majority of thru-hikers travel northbound, starting a PCT thru-hike at the Mexican border about 50 miles east of San Diego in mid-spring. They then backpack approximately 1600 miles through California until late July, then hike in Oregon and Washington in August and September. It is possible for long- distance hikers to travel the Pacific Crest Trail southbound, but in an average year, a southbound hike requires a faster pace. Southbounders must wait until snow has melted in Washington state's North Cascades moundains, usually some time in June. Hikers then have to race in order to cross the High Sierra in California before winter storms begin.
A northbound hike of the Pacific Crest Trail also presents challenges. The sweltering lowlands of southern California belie the fact that only two or three days from the beginning of the trail, the PCT rises to sometimes snowy 6,000- foot elevations in the Laguna Mountains. Snow loads vary immensely from year to year. While sometimes long-distance hikers can start northbound as early as mid-March, the Laguna Mountains can have impassible ice and snow in late April or even (rarely) in May. Check with local rangers.
The Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off (ADZPCTKO) is a good guide for when to start. This event takes place at Lake Moreno State Park, 20 trail miles from the Mexican border, in late April (usually the last weekend). It is scheduled according to what PCT "common wisdom" says is the optimum time to begin hiking in an average year.
The event is a combination hiker fair and kick-off party that began with the idea of helping PCT thru-hikers through the very difficult early days of long, hot desert miles and very little water. The event creates a sort of hiker cluster of several dozen thru-hikers. Those who prefer to backpack in solitude may want to leave a bit ahead of the pack, or lag a couple of days behind.
Other Scheduling Issues for Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers
The combination of low, hot desert and high possibly snow-covered mountains continues through southern California: In between the Laguna, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, and San Gabriel Mountains, hikers cross lower Sonoran desert zones and part of the Mojave Desert. Late spring offers the best combination of not too much heat, not too much snow, and at least some water at seasonal springs and streams.
California's High Sierra Mountains are the next obstacle. Here the PCT is largeyl contiguous with the John Muir Trail, traveling over 11 high passes. Forester Pass (at 13,200 feet, the highest point on the PCT) often blocked with ice and snow well into July. Arrive too early, and all the passes will be impassible, many miles of high country will be under snow, and the rivers will be ranging. Generally, In an average year, mid -June is the best time to start into the Sierra.
After the Sierra, hikers simply have to hike fast enough to cross the North Cascades before winter sets into the highcountry, which usually happens sometime in October. This usually requires hiking about 20 miles a day through northern California and Oregon, which fortunately boast many miles of gently graded trails.
Note that all dates are approximate. Snow accumulations and spring temperatures vary enormously from year to year. The dates are a good starting point for planning, but check with the Pacific Crest Trail Association for current conditions., and be prepared to vary the itinerary accordingly.
Karen Berger - Karen Berger is the author of 15 books. Please click on her name to read her full bio.
