The Pacific Crest Trail 2,650 Miles

Zigzagging its way 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) boasts the greatest elevation changes of any of America's National Scenic Trails, allowing it to pass through six out of seven of North America's ecozones including high and low desert, old-growth forest and artic-alpine country. Indeed, the PCT is a trail of diversity and extremes. From scorching desert valleys in Southern California to rain forests in the Pacific Northwest, the PCT offers hikers and equestrians a unique, varied experience.

Over the past decade the PCT has become a favorite target of thru-hikers and thru-riders (the hearty souls who attempt to hike or ride an entire long-distance trail in one "season"). Each year, in fact, an average of 300 hikers attempt to cover the full length of the PCT (thru-riders are more rare but increasing in number). Thousands of other hikers and equestrians enjoy this national treasure each year, some traveling only a few miles in the course of a day hike.

If you're a PCT enthusiast, you might know that the trail…

•Passes through three states (California, Oregon and Washington)
•Climbs nearly 60 major mountain passes
•Descends into 19 major canyons and
•Ambles past more than 1,000 lakes and tarns.

You may also know that the PCT traverses…

•3 national monuments
•7 national parks
•24 national forests and
•33 federally mandated wildernesses.