Pacific Crest Trail Summary Videos
Now that we have completed the entire 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), we decided to summarize our trekking journey by creating two different videos.
A PCT Epilogue: Completing Our Final Miles in the California Sierra Nevada Mountains
Upon reaching the Canadian border, we had completed 98.4% of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, with only 42.7 miles to go. However, we still felt a nagging urge to walk every mile. It was what we had intended when we first began our thru hiking attempt in 2016.
Trekking the Northern Washington PCT Summary Video
In July and August 2023 we undertook a trek on our last major portion of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): a 197-mile section in Northern Washington. Our trekking took us through several wilderness areas and North Cascades National Park. When we reached the Canadian Border, it was the culmination of over 2,600 miles of hiking that began in April 2016.
Thanks for the Memories: Completing the Northern Washington PCT
Prior to beginning our Northern Washington trek, we had spent 164 days hiking on the PCT. We made many memories as we trekked 2,419 miles in the desert, over mountain passes, through beautiful forests, and across numerous streams. As we continued to hike toward the Canadian border, we couldn’t help but reminisce about all our adventures on the trail.
It’s the Journey Not the Destination: Hiking the Northern Washington PCT
When we began hiking the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2016, our goal was to make it all the way to Canada. This year, with just 231 miles left to complete, we planned a trek to finally reach the Canadian border. Even though our focus was on our final destination, it would be the day-to-day journey that would make or break our trek.
Trekking California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains on the JMT and PCT Summary Video
In July and August 2021 we undertook our latest journey: a 268.5-mile section hike in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Our trekking took us on the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail through two national parks and five wilderness areas. The video shows some of the most spectacular and pristine scenery in the world that we saw (and heard) during our 20 days of hiking.
A Smoky Finale: Finishing the Sierra Nevada PCT
After 12 1/2 days and 160 miles of trekking on the Pacific Crest Trail through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, we stopped to resupply in Yosemite National Park’s Tuolumne Meadows. Now we were faced with a weather forecast of up to a half-inch of rain (and potential thunder and lightning) for each of the next three days. There was also a looming fire closure to the north of us.
Keeping a Weather Eye: Continuing the Sierra Nevada PCT
During the first six days of our Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Sierra Nevada trek, we completed 69 miles and ascended over five passes of at least 11,500 feet in elevation. We also contended with afternoon heat and sudden rainstorms. While the altitude of the passes would diminish as we continued north, we knew that the trail (and the weather) would continue to be challenging.
The Third Time’s the Charm: Beginning the Sierra Nevada Pacific Crest Trail
Five years ago we attempted to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada. While we didn’t finish the entire 2,650-mile path that year, we did complete over 1,800 miles in California and Oregon before stopping after 4 ½ months. Since then we have tried to get back on the trail in California to finish the 300 miles we had remaining in the state.
Trekking the U.S. West Summary Videos
In 2019 we undertook our latest adventure: hiking in California, Arizona, and Washington in what we called Trekking the U.S. West. During our three treks, we hiked 550 miles. At the conclusion of each hike we made short summary videos.
A Rocky Finish to Our Trekking: Ending the Washington PCT
In the last two weeks and 246 miles of hiking, we gained over 45,000 feet and lost over 43,000 feet in elevation. While my heel had been hurting since we left the Columbia River and Darren had occasional calf issues, we both felt rested after spending a day and a half in Seattle.
In the Shadow of Mount Adams and Mount Rainier: Continuing the Washington PCT
After 82 miles of hiking and a rest day in Trout Lake, Washington, we were ready to continue our journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. The next section would take us alongside the iconic mountains of Adams and Rainier, as well as through the Goat Rocks Wilderness, considered one of the most scenic portions of the entire 2,650-mile trail.