Time to leave is quickly approaching. In three weeks, March 28th, I’ll begin my thruhike of the Pacific Crest Trail. I’ve not been hiking as much as I normally would in preparation for an endeavor of this magnitude. In fact, I’m not overly excited as I have been in the past when waiting to start a long trail. Maybe it’s because I’m getting a bit older and don’t stress about things as much. I’ve really been procrastinating, something I’m really good at. I have all the gear I need, and then some, I just need to weigh it out and pack it. My gear selection will be described in my next post, for this post I will stick with the trail itself. Specifically for my followers who are unfamiliar with the PCT.
The Pacific Crest Trail runs 2,650+ miles from the Mexican border at the monument just south of Campo, California, through California, Oregon and Washington, to the monument south of Manning Park, at the Canadian border. It was designed as a National Scenic Trail in 1968, and completed in 1993. The PCT passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks. The terrain varies between deserts, forests, high mountain passes, burn areas, and lava fields. It’s a very challenging trail on any given year, but this year will be epic due to record snowfall.
This is the current snow depth map, and spring has not yet arrived. We will need to be very prudent this year on risk management through the high Sierra. I have an ice axe, and micro spikes for the snow on steep slopes, but there will also be very hazardous water crossings as 10-20 feet of snow starts melting. I’ll be slowly making my way north for 700 miles to get to Kennedy Meadows, where the Sierra starts. Once there I’ll make a decision on whether to attempt a continuous northbound trek, or skip the Sierra and come back to it once the melt has subsided. Skipping, or flipping as backpackers refer it, won’t mean no snow, just maybe not as hazardous terrain. The whole west coast has been pounded over the past week with snow, and more in the forecast. I could postpone until next year, but I’m not getting any younger, and I’m really looking forward to getting out there.
I’ll be hiking the John Muir Trail NOBO starting 8/13 from Crabtree Lakes, so hopefully the snow/snow melt won’t be an issue. When do you think you’ll reach the Sierras?
Boy oh boy is that snow pack going to be a challenge this year! Looking forward to following your hike HD Mama. Hugs from us both.