"Zeros and Neros Welcome" A few years ago, before I started hiking the PCT, I would have guessed this sign was inviting losers and fiddlers to stop by. It's actually part of a whole new language you learn on the trail. Situated near Mile 127, this sign...
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This summer’s Netflix revival of Gilmore Girls held a plot twist that many didn’t see coming. In the third of four episodes, Lorelei, the hip, pop-culture-loving mom of the popular WB series, announces she’s heading to California to “do Wild” and hike the Pacific Crest...
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The first 100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail are often a heady mix of desert views, strong winds, rattlesnakes, long stretches without water, and free apple pie. As you start to plan your 2017 PCT hike, here are a few things to anticipate along Section...
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Pacific Crest Trail hikers see plenty of stunning mountain and desert views from the trail. But every so often we come upon something so remarkable it cries out for pausing and tipping one's hat in admiration. I call it PCT Art, and here's my work-in-progress collection. ...
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The timing of my backpacking trip through the Sierras had more to do with permit availability than with peak fall colors or precipitation levels. But I lucked out in both areas: There was no rain and plenty of beautiful foliage during a four-day trip along...
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Ah, the life of a PCT thru-hiker. Carrying all your worldly possessions on your back day in and day out, not unlike a turtle. Since I've done this thru-hiking thing a time or three, I have a pretty good grasp on what exactly I need,...
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While still in John Muir Trail territory, my son and I set up a fantastic bivy site for the night high over an absolutely gorgeous lake, the name of which doesn't matter because they're all beautiful. The site was nearly a mile from the lake's shore and...
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A lot of you may wonder what a day in the life of a PCT thru-hiker is like. Is it all fun and games? Do we sleep late and take lots of naps? Is it stressful and miserable? Is there any rhyme or reason to...
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PCT Days celebrated its 10th anniversary this year in a typically jubilant and down-to-earth style. Current thru-hikers mixed with PCT alumni and local section hikers at Oregon's Cascade Locks Marine Park, while a lineup of outdoor adventure retailers and cottage-industry folks displayed products ranging from...
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Summer adds a new layer of complication for section hikers in Southern California. Wildfires and triple-digit temperatures are common, so extra care and planning are absolutely necessary. The Sand Fire in the Santa Clarita area, which burned 41,000 acres in late July and required 42 firefighting...
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