Founded
Mission
PCTA Staff Board
Membership
Volunteering
Pacific Crest Trail History
Trail Length
Trail Highlights
For More Information

Member of the press or media?

You've come to the right place.

This Web site is a treasure trove of information related to the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail and the people who use and support it. These include:

• Day hikers and equestrians
• Weekend and vacation backpackers and equestrians
• Section-hikers and riders (those traveling the entire trail one section at a time)
• Thru-hikers and riders (those completing the entire trail in one season)
• Trail maintenance volunteers
• Trail angels (the generous folks - many of whom live near the trail - who open their cars, homes, refrigerators, laundry rooms, showers, and hearts to help PCT hiker and equestrians)
• Government agencies
• And more!

We're sure you'll find useful information throughout this site but we've included some media-specific resources in this section.

If you don't find what you need, don't hesitate to contact us at:

Phone: (916) 349-2109
E-mail the PCTA

Founded
The Pacific Trail Association (PCTA) was formed in 1977 as a natural outgrowth and merger of many smaller organizations dating back to the 1930s, all of which advocated and worked diligently to create one continuous scenic trail along the crest of the major mountain ranges of the Pacific rim from Mexico to Canada.

Mission
The mission of the Pacific Crest Trail Association is to protect, preserve and promote the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail as an internationally significant resource for the enjoyment of hikers and equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people.

The association strives to achieve this mission by promoting the PCT as a unique educational and recreational treasure and one of the finest trails anywhere in the world. The association also provides a broad range of services to its members, serves as a communications link among users and land management agencies, and assists the USDA Forest Service as well as other agencies in the maintenance, restoration and protection of the PCT.

PCTA Staff/Board
In 1993, the PCTA hired its first paid staff. Today, the PCTA has a staff of eight, including an executive director and trail and administrative staff.

A 12 member volunteer board of directors provides leadership and governance for the PCTA. Board members are elected for three-year terms.

Membership
More than 6,000 PCTA members worldwide enjoy benefits such as: a subscription to Pacific Crest Trail Communicator magazine; a free wilderness permit for travel in excess of 500 miles on the PCT; discounts on all PCTA activities and store items; an invitation to trail projects and trail classes; and the knowledge that they're helping protect and preserve the PCT for future generations.

Volunteering
Trail work volunteer opportunities are available along the entire length of the PCT. Volunteers are expected to be in adequate physical shape to handle trail work, which includes cutting brush, re-building rock walls and repairing water bars. Experienced crew leaders train all volunteers, and provide food, water, tools, instruction, and supervision. Every year, volunteers dedicate thousands hours to protecting, preserving and promoting the PCT.

Pacific Crest Trail History
Clinton C. Clarke, often credited as the "father" of the PCT, founded the Pacific Crest Trail System Conference in the early 1930s to promote linking and extending the John Muir, Oregon Skyline, and Cascade Crest trails into one continuous trail from Mexico to Canada. In 1968, the PCT and the Appalachian Trail were officially designated as our country's first National Scenic Trails.

Agency trail crews, contractors and volunteers worked on completing the trail for many years. In 1993, the PCTA joined the USDA Forest Service and other land management agencies in celebrating the completion of the trail with a "Golden Spike" ceremony near Soledad Canyon in the Angeles National Forest.

Trail Length
The PCT spans 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through three western states: California, Oregon and Washington. Thousands of hikers and equestrians enjoy the PCT each year. Some only travel a few miles, while others complete every mile in a single season!

Trail Highlights
As America's westernmost National Scenic Trail the PCT reveals the West's unique blend of environs and beauty including the rugged high desert, glaciated expanses of the Sierra Nevada, and volcanic peaks and glaciers in the Cascade Range.

For More Information
To join the PCTA, inquire about volunteer opportunities, or learn more about planning a trip on the PCT: e-mail us or call 916.349.2109.