Read the blog here:
Section 1: Tuolumne Meadows - Sonora Pass
Section 2: Sonora Pass - Echo Lake
Trail Profile
Trail: Pacific Crest Trail
Where: USA, from Mexico to Canada. I section hiked from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park to Echo Lake in South Lake Tahoe.
Distance: 250 km (total trail 4265 km)
Days on trail: 11
Grade: Hard
Optimal season: Late June - July
Resupplies: Bridgeport
The trail in a nutshell: The Pacific Crest Trail, not least thanks to the book and film Wild by Cheryl Strayed, is probably the most famous thru-hike in the world. It was Wild that inspired me to become a thru-hiker back in 2016. I hiked the John Muir Trail in 2017, which is the highest and most famous section of the PCT. The whole trail goes from Campo on the Mexican border to Manning Park on the Canadian border. It is split into five main sections: the desert/Southern California, the Sierra, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington.
The PCT has exploded in popularity in recent years. The latest stats from 2022 show over 4700 thru-hiking permits and over 3000 section hiking permits issued to hikers from all 50 US states and almost as many other countries. However, only about 20% finish the trail, with many being driven off by fatigue or injuries. There are a handful of deaths every year, mostly in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and in the desert.
As a hiker, you choose whether to set aside 5-6 months to thru-hike the PCT. I don’t have the desire or time for that, and so I chose to section hike off the northern end of my 2017 JMT hike, and I hope to one day piece together the whole trail. Thru-hiking is a crazy and unique experience that offers the incredible bond of a trail family for over 4000 km and the adventure of a lifetime. Section hiking is by definition a smaller undertaking, but enables you to enjoy the experience without the pressure of making enough miles to reach Canada before autumn storms begin.
The terrain of my 2024 section hike varied notably between south and north of Sonora Pass. Overall, the Sierra section from Tuolumne to Sonora Pass was very challenging. Every day sees you hike above 3000m, with big climbs and descents that leave you breathless from the altitude and exhaustion. California was also coming off the back of a major heatwave, and the daytime temperatures were truly excruciating. I remember the JMT as very hard, and was surprised at how hard I found this section. I also started the trail coming off two months of illness, including a very bad intercostal muscle strain which didn’t help! From Sonora Pass to Echo Lake the terrain became slightly gentler, with smaller climbs (still at between 2500-3000m though), and the rock changes from granite to mostly volcanic. It felt like a combination of mountains and desert most days here!
The weather in California is extremely stable. I 100% counted on not experiencing a single drop of rain. In typical “God hates Kris” fashion however, I experienced two major thunderstorms, one of which dumped masses of rain and lasted for over six hours! All mountain areas tend to be prone to afternoon thunderstorms, but this is much rarer in the Sierra/NorCal than in places like Colorado or the European Alps. Navigation is done for you by the FarOut app, which is extremely handy. It shows water sources, many (but not all possible) camp spots, and lots of other relevant information. The trail is very well maintained and getting lost is very unlikely.
There are a number of hazards to consider before you undertake a section hike or thru-hike of the PCT. I choose to showcase these not to deter anyone, but to present a realistic picture of a very remote and diverse wilderness trail. Wildfires are a big risk factor and major logistical headache for PCT hikers. There are inevitably multiple fire closures all along the trail every year, the PCT Association keeps an updated page on where these are. Early season hikers will experience snowy conditions that will likely require the use of an ice axe or microspikes/crampons. When this snow melts, it creates large water masses that can make river crossings dangerous. For the Sierra and my section specifically, a lot of people struggle with the high altitudes of 3000-4500m (read my guide to safe high altitude hiking here). Wildlife-wise, it is not uncommon to encounter bears, rattlesnakes, and occasionally mountain lions. You are required to carry a bear canister to store your food in for the section I did. My biggest issue? The fucking mosquitoes. Fuck them totally. Only your rain gear and carcinogen-laden insect sprays can save you.
