SheSue Experience

Wild flowers along the PCT trail

If you live on the west coast and enjoy hiking, you’ve probably heard of the Pacific Crest Trail.  2,650 miles of trail stretches from Mexico to Canada, passing through California, Oregon and Washington.  Along the way, you will climb nearly 60 major mountain passes, pass through 19 major canyons and come across 1,000 lakes.  You will encounter desert, old-growth forest, arctic-alpine, and rain forests.

My daughter along the PCT trail

Thousands of people hike the trail every year; some for a few hours, others hike the entire trail in one season.  Known as ‘thru-hikers’ around 300 people begin this long journey every year while 60% finish.  It takes five – six months to hike the entire trail averaging 20+ miles each day.

The history of the trail began in the 1930s by some men from the YMCA.  Clinton Clarke and Warren Rogers lobbied the federal government for the trail, but had to settle for several disconnected trails.  It took over 30 years before the entire trail was completed, mostly due to hikers and equestrians.  It was designated as one of the first scenic trails in the National Trails System in 1968.

Meadow on Mt. Ashland

We also met a man who had divided the trail into four parts; one section each summer.  He was on his third section.  He told us stories of getting caught in rain storms, days without fresh water and having to wait for his food drops.  Thru-hikers have someone back home who ships out their food to post offices along the route.

The tower on top of Mt. Ashland

All of the sections of the PCT I have hiked were well marked and maintained.  One section I came across a trail maintenance team.  These were volunteers who were spending a week doing trail maintenance.  Just as the trail was brought into existence by the love of hiking; it is also maintained by those who love being out in the woods.