The Pacific Crest Trail

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Guidebook to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), an epic 2650 mile hike from California's Mexican border to Canada's British Columbia. One of the world's best hikes, the route passes through California, Oregon and Washington State, taking in the Mojave desert, High Sierras, Cascades and countless more wild mountains.

Cicerone says:

Guidebook to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), an epic 2650-mile hike from the Mexican border to Canada's British Columbia. One of the world's best hikes, the route passes through California, Oregon and Washington State, taking in the Mojave desert, High Sierras, Cascades and countless more wild mountains of America's west coast. The PCT attracts thousands of walkers every year. Most hike short sections, but several hundred take on the ultimate challenge of thru'-hiking the entire route in one summer. The guidebook caters for both and is divided into 101 2 to 3 day stages, which can be combined into longer days according to ability and preference.

This comprehensive guide is intended to provide all the information and maps hikers will need. Alongside the notes and route descriptions, there are overview maps for the entire trail, and a detailed introduction that provides essential advice for planning and completing the route. From information on packing, supplies, water and bears, to details on the mountains, wildlife and regions trekkers will go through; this is an essential companion to taking on - and completing - this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Through deserts and forests, and over snow-covered passes and along alpine ridges, this is a long wilderness trek of true adventure and exploration through diverse and stunning mountain scenery. The trail boasts breathtaking scenery and varied landscapes, through deserts and forests, and over snow-covered passes and along alpine ridges. This is a long wilderness trek of true adventure and exploration through diverse and stunning mountain scenery.

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

We have used them countless times and they've always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.

If you're a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Seasons: The PCT is designed to be hiked when it is free of snow; Southern California is best in the spring or autumn and the High Sierra, Northern California, Oregon and Washington are best from late June to early October. Through-hikers need to start in mid-May
• Centres: Most hikers access the PCT from San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle or Vancouver, all of which are about 50 miles west of the trail
• Difficulty: The PCT is a well-engineered trail taking the hiker easily through the mountains but it is a wilderness trail, often a long way from road access, and you will need to carry food for several days; there is little accommodation so you will need to camp or bivouac
• Must See: The High Sierra of California with Mount Whitney, the John Muir Trail and Yosemite National Park; Crater Lake in Oregon; the towering volcanoes of the Cascade Mountains: Lassen Peak, Mount Shasta, The Three Sisters, Mount Washington, Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier and Glacier Peak

Specifications

• Edition: Second
• Number of pages: 352
• Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 2.0cm
• Weighs 400g