The PCT is short for the Pacific Crest Trail. Say it with me… “Pacific Crest Trail”. Very good, nice job. Now again with more conviction… “Pacific Crest Trail!”
It’s not the ‘Pacific Rim Trail’ nor is it the ‘Pacific Coast Trail’. Both of which I have heard over and over again repeated back to me immediately after I’ve used the correct phrase. I am not walking the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. Salt water and I do not get along. Beaches… Yuck! Tourists… Sun screen… Sand fleas… No! Absolutely not! I am a mountain person. Always have been and always will be. The solitude, the unspoiled views, and no sand fleas!!!
Enough about what the PCT isn’t, and on to what it is! The Pacific Crest Trail is long-distance hiking and equestrian trail that closely follows the Sierra Nevada and Casscade mountain ranges, which lay a hundred plus miles east of the Pacific coastline. The southern most terminus is on the U.S. – Mexican boarder near Campo, CA and the northern terminus is on the U.S. – Canadian boarder near Manning Park, BC; taking it’s travelers through California, Oregon, and Washinton State.
The PCT travels 2663 miles at elevations ranging from 13,153ft (Forester Pass) to just above sea level (Bridge of the Gods) and transversse 3 National Monuments, 5 State Parks, 6 National Parks, 25 National Forests, and 48 Federal Wilderness Areas!
PCT 2014 