THE PCT
The Pacific Crest Trail runs through the western United States from the Mexican border (CAMPO) to the Canadian border (MANNING) over a length of 4,270 km. To locate a little, it runs more than a 100 miles along the Pacific Ocean and the cities of San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle.
It is one of the 3 largest North American trails with the Continental Divide Trail and the Appalachian Trail .
The 3 trails are grouped under the name of Triple Crown.
This path could resemble the "GR" in France, but compared to the greatness of the American wilderness, we should talk more about "XXXL GR" ... or even pure madness!
If you want to get a better picture of it, watch or read WILD , the true story of Cheryl Strayed, which made it popular.
THE PCT in figures
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2,660 miles - 4,270 km or 2 round trips Dunkirk-Marseille or 24 times the Corsican crossing
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An average of 19.6 miles/ day, or 19.6 miles
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5 months planned to hike across 3 States: California - Oregon - Washington
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5 main sections: Southern California - Sierra Nevada (in Spanish "the snowy mountain range") - Northern California - Oregon - Washington
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Total elevation gain: approximately 130,000 m and around 60 passes
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Highest point: Forester Pass 4,009m - Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevada peaks at 4,417m but is an optional PCT variant. Of course, I will try it!
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7 national parks including Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and around 30 national forests
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Only 1 permit to be authorized to cross all these large spaces thanks to the PCTA!
A map vision
The 5 Sections
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Southern California: the desert - 697 miles = 1121 km
Characterized by its extreme heat and its desert expanses with the highlight the Mojave desert , the southern part of California, though it's very dry, is not devoid of relief nor of a generous fauna and flora.
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Central California: Sierra Nevada, snow-capped mountains - 586 miles = 943 km
Qualified as high mountains, this is the section that will most resemble the Alps and where I will find snow. This is also where the highest peak in the continental United States (excluding Alaska), Mount Whitney , is located as well as the 2 famous parks, Yosemite and Sequoia . This is eventually where caution for resupply will prevail due to the lack of roads.
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Northern California: 409 miles = 658 km
The Sierra Nevada, made of granitic rocks, quietly gives way to the Cascades chain, made up of volcanic soil that is more permeable and conducive to greenery.
Mount Shasta peaks at 4,300m. It will be necessary to be careful when crossing rivers.
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Oregon: 458 miles = 737 km
After a 2,700k hike through California, welcome to Oregon with mostly flat forest trails. More lakes like the famous Crater Lake and vegetation that I hope is not too ravaged by the fires.
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The Washington: 500 miles = 805 km
The Washington entry is done through the famous Bridge of the Gods . The landscape becomes alpine again but less mineral than the Sierra Nevada. We are in the heart of the volcanic chain of the Cascades (a national park bears its name) and the forests there are lush.
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And finally Canada! If I ever get there, it will be 8+ miles, otherwise a 30 mile backtrack !
Schedule
Using the PCT planner , I divided and planned my adventure into 29 stages. Each stage varies between 3 and 8 days depending on the difficulty and especially on the ability to find resupply areas.
An end of stage allows me to stock up on food or gear, to have a good meal, to a clean wash, or do laundry.
These are called NERO DAYS (day with few mileages), or even ZERO DAYS (day without walking) to recover.
Departure: 04/21 from CAMPO (Mexican border)
Section 1: Southern California - Sierra Nevada - Expected time of arrival : late May/early June
Section 2: Sierra Nevada - Northern California - ETA : early July
Section 3: Northern California - Oregon - ETA : 07/20
Section 4: Oregon - Washington - ETA : 08/15
EXPECTED TIME OF ARRIVAL at MANNING PARK (Canadian border): 09/14
