Does anyone have any experience with taking medication on trail? wanting to do the pct in 2026 but feeling deflated about how to navigate getting enough of my adhd meds (controlled drugs), sadly not having them isn’t an option at the moment. What I’ve found online mainly looks like I might not be able to get more than 3 months worth, it’s hard enough getting a months supply with the med shortages at the moment. I’m not sure how easy getting a controlled prescription is as a foreigner in the US either. (From the uk) I’ll be talking to my doctor and emailing govs etc about possible routes to go down but any advice or experience with any kind of medication would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 Cheers

• https://thetrek.co/pacific-crest-trail/congratulations-to-these-2024-pacific-crest-trail-thru-hikers-part-1/

• https://thetrek.co/pacific-crest-trail/congratulations-to-these-2024-pacific-crest-trail-thru-hikers-part-2/

• https://thetrek.co/pacific-crest-trail/congratulations-to-these-2024-pacific-crest-trail-thru-hikers-part-3/

I’m putting together my gear for my 2025 thru hike. Are there places on trail that require a freestanding tent to avoid cowboy camping? I’m wondering if there are areas too rocky in the sierras, or with loose sand in the desert, that make staking out a tent difficult.

I’ve only ever camped on dirt/grass, so I’ve never really had to work with anything else. Appreciate y’all’s experience and advice!

So i have a question about bugs. People are scared of mountain lions and bears, etc. I'm more worried about bugs. Specifically, mosquitos, ticks, bees, and bed bugs.

In the upper Midwest were known for having mosquitoes like a lot.. and a lot of ticks... are either a particular problem at anything of the trail... West Nile, Lyme disease and a host of other illnesses are legit concerns. The bedbugs I more ask about is it terrible in hostiles or shelters? And bees no one Wants multiple stings, anaphylaxtic shock kills

So areas of concern along the trail? Best bug sprays or deterent ( picardin? Deet eucalyptus oil nothing idk)? Treat gear and clothing or yourself? Is an epi pen a good idea or necessary

Thank you in advance

This information has been posted previously but there is people here that may not have seen it or is stressing the permit process. I am making the post for myself as much as others to gather the information that I have found in my research

The primary way to be able to hike the PCT is getting the long distance permit from PCTA. 2 lottery rounds of permits open up, first 35 a day in Oct and the second round of 15 per day in Jan. If you do not get a date that you wanted from either lottery rounds, starting in Jan be looking for cancelled dates on the availability calendar

https://portal.permit.pcta.org/availability/mexican-border.php

Next - if you did not get a permit date that you was aiming for - do not stress out! You have the option to do local permits then transition to a non quota long distance PCT permit. While it is a little more work for you while on trail, it does allow you to legally hike on the date that you are wanting to start.

The long distance PCT permit combines all the local permits to make it easy and convenient to be able to hike and camp the entire route of the PCT. But note that you do not need a permit for the entire PCT. There is 26 segments totaling approximately 936 miles require a permit, or about 35% of the trail. The news is even better for NOBO hikers, the first 1018 miles (Mexican border to Sonora Pass) only requires 3 permits of any kind, and you only need to get 2 of them.

FIRST is the Cleveland National Forest (mile 13-53 and 112-124). A permit is ONLY required in the Cleveland NF if you disperse camp. If you use campgrounds, NO PERMIT IS REQUIRED in the Cleveland NF. Dispersed camping which is what the permit would allow you to do is camp anywhere along the trail where you see a spot to set up camp. If you do not get this permit, use the designated camp spots. These are:

PCT mile 20.0 Lake Morena CG

PCT mile 26.0 Boulder Oaks CG

PCT mile 32.6 Cibbets Flats CG

PCT mile 41.5 Burnt Rancheria

PCT mile 41.5 Laguna Mountain Lodge (motel and cabins)

PCT mile 47.5 Mt. Laguna CG

SECOND is the San Jacinto Wilderness / San Jacinto State Park (mile 167-190 and 193-205). When you are at mile 151, hitch to the Idyllwild, where you can resupply, and go to the CA Ranger Station and get a local permit that covers you for those miles. Permit is non-quota and free. Information about the ranger station from their website:

Open Thursday - Monday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Mailing and Street Address:

San Jacinto Ranger District

54270 Pine Crest

P.O. Box 518

Idyllwild, CA 92549

(909) 382-2921

(800)735-2922

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/about-forest/districts/?cid=fsbdev7_007800

THIRD is the Sierra: Kennedy Meadows (mile 703) to Sonora Pass (mile 1018). Permits for KM to SP are available at https://www.recreation.gov/. These permits are non-quota, meaning there is not a limit on the number of permits available. The catch is that you can only apply for this permit within two weeks of the date you hike north from Kennedy Meadows. For example, if you plan to hike north from Kennedy Meadows on June 14, you can apply for this permit on or after June 1, but you couldn’t apply for it BEFORE June 1. Permit is non-quota, cost is $6 plus $5 for each person on the permit.

Go to www.recreation.gov Create an account, then log in to your account

“What are you looking for” box: Inyo

Choose: Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits

Click the blue box: Explore available permits

Permit Type drop down: Overnight

Date box: Select the date you will head north from Kennedy Meadows (must be in the next two weeks)

Group size: Enter the number of people on this permit

Is this a Commercial trip: Select No

Entry Point: Select the blue box (99+) next to “Kennedy Meadows (NonQuota)”in the column for your start date

Bottom of page: Click “Book Now”

Exit Point: Select “Sonora Pass - PCT (Exit Only) HT NF - HT01”

Exit Date: Choose the date you will be at Sonora Pass.

Sonora Pass is northbound PCT mile 1017, which is 315 trail miles north of Kennedy Meadows.

First night camp area: Select “Beck Meadows PCT (Kennedy Meadows- South Sierra)”

All other nights camp area: Select “Other / Don't Know”

Travel method: Select Foot

Animals: Yes or No

Issuing Station: Select Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center

Agree: Click Yes to agree

Proceed to Payment

The last permit that you will need to get is the PCT Long Distance Permit from Sonora Pass to Canada. This permit is non quota and is free. On/after the January Permit Release Date, you can apply for a PCT Long Distance Permit from Sonora Pass to Canada. The next part is very important - your date that you will start at Sonora Pass is locked in on the permit 3 weeks before, so you need to know what date you will start at Sonora Pass. So while you can technically get your permit in Jan to start at Sonora Pass - knowing what date you will be there after hiking for 1018 miles is a stretch. Once you have a better idea when you will make it to Sonora Pass, update your PCT Long Distance permit. Do this well before the 3 week point before you will get to Sonora Pass due to the time it takes to process the permit. Once you are within 3 weeks of the permit date, the permit will lock and you will be able to print it. Be sure to print it during this 3 week window. ALSO to note - you can only have 1 PCT Long Distance Permit a year - so if you got a permit from the lottery but not the date you was wanting, be sure to cancel that one or change it to the starting point in Sonora Pass with an estimated date BEFORE it locks (3 weeks prior to the start date on the permit).

Summary:

13-53 and 112-124 - Don’t disperse camp + Do use campgrounds = No permit needed.

167-190 and 193-205 - Hitch into Idyllwild from mile 151, get the San Jacinto permit.

703 to 1018 - Get the recreation.gov permit within two weeks of the date you plan to hike north from Kennedy Meadows (mile 703).

1018 to Canada - Get the PCT Long Distance Permit for Sonora Pass to Canada on/after the January permit release date (printed before the 3 week point)

There may be slight mileage differences as the mileage of the trail changes. If there is an error or clarification to the information - please post.

Useful links:

https://www.triplecrownoutfitters.com/pct-local-permits

https://www.recreation.gov

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/about-forest/districts/?cid=fsbdev7_007800

So I need help being convinced. I am used to fully framed stand alone tents and got a big agnes copper spur ul3 at rei on sale for 400$. I like this tent because it is spacious, can be pitched with just footprint and fly for an easy shaded sleeping area and is relatively light at 56 oz ( 7+ for the 60$ footprint) . The zpacks triplex is priced at 700$ and weighs in at 21 oz ( +2.4 for the footprint 119$).

The tent is for a nobo pct thru hike april 2026 with 2 people 6'tall and 5'3" tall.

If an ultralite tent like that or something cheaper maybe? Not sure so convince me llease?

First time thru hiker here. Although I live in the desert, I’ve never LIVED in the desert. Any advice on how to survive and thrive in 100+ degree conditions?

Has anyone set out on a solo thru hike despite having a partner at home who wasn’t supportive of it? How did you navigate it and what was the end result? Did you write it off your dream completely and regret it later on?

My partner is supportive in absolutely everything except thru hiking the PCT. He feels that me leaving for 5-6 months would build resentment at home and negatively affect our relationship. We’ve had great communication and a solid relationship for 10+ years, but I understand it’s a HUGE ask of a partner to support a selfish goal like the PCT. We have the added logistical challenge of a house and a dog, but I wouldn’t leave him with the financial burden of that alone. We have done long distance (6+ months) before in the past for career moves, and things were just fine. It’s more an issue of fear that our relationship would change during the time away on a thru hike. He’s not interested in hiking it together as it’s very much my passion and not his. I’ve put my PCT dream on a shelf and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do it out of guilt.

If lesser-known, mile markers or directions from the trail are appreciated!

Anything and everything that made your day a bit cooler! From hot springs, waterfalls, and well-known side trails to fish-heavy alpine lakes, amazing accidentally-found views, or maybe just a particularly weird looking tree!

Im planning on taking a gap year after high school to hike the PCT in early 2028. I know this is probably a stupid question but I just want to know if im still going to be able to do it considering the climate crisis.

I registered and all that, got my very specific personal log in time, logged in to apply for a permit and... all the dates we full. Is there any hope for a 2025 attempt or should I write it off and cross my fingers for 2026 instead?

Hello all. I am starting nobo on April 12 of 2025 and my grandparents are fascinated at the idea of the small resupply towns that run throughout the PCT. I would love to have them visit during the trek and see what they are like. That being said, they are fairly old and do not travel super well. Does anyone have a specific town/part of trail that would be accessible and interesting for them as well as having a few days worth of things to do/see? Thanks so much in advance !

Any questions regarding the process, please feel free to ask. It was a relatively straightforward process without issue.

Planning a pct hike spring 2026 w my wife. I'm 35 6'0 170lbs she's 36 5'3 120 bothe a good amount of hiking experience limited backpacking ( 10 days north country trail In wi. No altitude experience or desert experience.

A link to my gear list

https://lighterpack.com/r/czs685

Any tips suggestions possible swapping of certain items. Not trying to do a major overhaul but would like to get to like 17 or 18 baseweight if that is a reasonable number? If not how much lighter. I do plan on starting with a stove and cooking. I sleep cold and get cold easier than most (it seems), I do like some comforts like sleeping clothes pillow wide pad ect.

Thanks for anyone willing to help

Edit: thanks to everyone for tons of advice some returns and a couple of new items I'll be replacing them with down to just under 20 lbs hopefully hiking I'll be able to really see what I need.

Help me plan my pct thru hike!

Hi I am planning for a pct thru hike nobo spring 2026. I will be 36 and hiking with my wife 37. I am relatively fit 6'0 170 lbs. My main questions are regarding layers and warmth and And tend to like some comforts like a pillow sleeping clothes a clean pair of boxers socks shirt for sure and I do intend to start with a stove ( msr pocket rocket) pot (gsi ketalist no cup/bow) a toaks 450 ml titanium mug. And toaks spork. (Maybe upgrade pot? I like to boil some food which isn't sideways the best in a mug for stirring ect)

That said I don't want to cause injury with too much unnecessary weight but don't want to be miserably cold or wet. And I am both a cold sleeper and because of cert get cold easier than most and stay cold. I like to layer and take off instead of being sorry .

Before anything, I know the tent and bag are pretty heavy

https://lighterpack.com/r/czs685

Main questions

1. Anything for sure leave at home?

2.To many socks or layers?

3. will the frog toggs rain gear be eno

ugh or look at better rain gear. Especially worried about the pnw.

4. Any additional advice? Trying to learn more everyday

Thank anybody that is willing to help me with these questions. I'm pretty far along on planning preparing and a good year of training hikes and saving ( no one said this was cheap) . So I'm looking to round out my gear not make any huge huge changes unless absolutely necessary

Obviously everything will change on trail and I will be able to swap out/ buy new ect but as far as starting goes.

Hoping to stay warm light as possible and healthy

Thanks all Edit: decent experience hiking and some backpacking longest trip only 10 days.. most everything is Midwest conditions) on the north country trail and ice age trail I'm in wisconsin.. so no experience in altitude like that so far. Pace i aim for 10 at low end of a day and work up to a max of 20/22 to24All dependant. Looking to start april 1st or so( depending on permits but if I had my ideal date)

After researching, leaning towards outdoor research vigor full zip ( good price extra stretch and thumbholes) And the patagonia r1 air full zip( twice the cost but better neck) They weigh in at 13.3 and 12.8 respectively

Still waiting on modular storage set, new headlamp base layer , trekking poles, and raincover for pack so we will see when those arrive.

. I don't want to hike with any more than 32 fully loaded w 4 days food 2 L of waer

Hi all, as the title says my wife and i got luck of the draw with a 2:26 time slot for permit day. We are looking to swap dates if possible but are moving forward and planning everything around our current permit.

That said we had originally purchased 20° EE quilts and taken them on a shakeout through the Enchantments this october where we saw 25° weather overnight and my wife slept right on the edge of uncomfortable but doable with a sleeping liner. I sleep very warm so i was having to actually vent my quilt🤯.

Knowing she was uncomfortable in that kind of weather, with a march 12th start date i have read that in the desert and San Jacinto we can expect to possibly see overnight temps in the 10°-20° range. Can anyone speak to a womans quilt with an early start date and what they recommend. She is thinking to switch to a 10° quilt now but want opinions first.

Also is there a good subreddit where people are looking to trade/purchase thruhiking gear? PM me if interested.

Hi everyone! After seeing a lot of people wearing the Frogg Toggs, I also used it during a few backpacking trips. Even though one of my trips was in Scotland, there wasn't much rain, so I was fine. Recently I was cycling in the pouring rain, and I was soaking wet after about 15 minutes already. Now, planning the PCT, I am a bit worried if the Frogg Toggs is the way to go. As I am planning to take a downjacket (rab Mythic Alpine) with me, staying dry is really important. Also, after a few times of using it, it got small holes on the arms. Don't know if this is normal for this kind of material?

Because of this, I am considering to use my Rab Downpour 2.0 which is in my opinion a much more solid option. But, it also comes with an extra weight of about 250grams comparing it with the Frogg Toggs. What is your experience with the Frogg Toggs on the PCT? And is the extra weight upgrading to a Solid hardshell worth it in your opinion? Thanks!

I apologize in advance for the redundancy of this post as I read through a lot of previous posts I know a lot of folks have asked for first time hiker tips/questions/etc.

Im considering doing the SB over the NB and wondering how soon should I start training/conditioning? I’ll probably aim for a start date in 2026. I’ve recently decided I want to do a thru hike and didn’t think aiming for 2025 would be ideal.

Ive hiked trails up to 11 miles and I also hunt. Ive been hiking the sierra nevadas for the last 9 years since I’ve lived in NorCal. When I’ve hunted the last two seasons, I’ve trekked through mountains off trails but typically only trek (while hunting) about 5 miles. Sharing this to give an idea of my outdoors experience. I’ve never really backpacked but recently had the opportunity to disperse camp.

Given some of this background, any suggestions on timing for training, like when to start and other things I should know while I begin my research and logistics of a thru hike?

Im also curious, what do most people do in terms of money? Do y’all save 5 months worth of rent to afford to be on the trail? Assuming you’re also saving for you funds to spend while on the trail?

Any advice is appreciated (:

I have done the Washington PCT section in August/Sep of 2019 and on August 28, 2019, I camped near Mica lake with my 20 degree EE Enigma quilt which is only 17 oz and a Borah Gear bivy. I think EE added more down since 2019 to their bags. My 20 degree at 17 oz is probably a 30 degree. If I could get away with this EE quilt and a bivy near Mica lake which is at a nice high point overlooking valley/mountains - can I get away with a 40 degree bag and a burlier Bivy like a eVent bivy etc?

Here is a picture of the bivy near Mica lake : https://imgur.com/7PPHZWO

The specific 40 degree quilt I am interested in buying is Zpacks winter quilt at lesser than 10 oz. Of course I can always ask my wife to mail me my 20 degree at the next resupply point if I find I am freezing my butt off :-)

Hi! So I was fortunate enough to get a permit for April. I am excited to go and start a new chapter of my life..... however, I am a novice at backpacking. At this point, I don't know what I don't know and I am eager to learn and prepare for this. I was curious if there were any past PCT thru hikers who wouldn't mind me reaching out to them privately to pose my questions and concerns to?

Hi... I have a hard stop date of September 10th and assuming I make it to Manning Park on 9/10.. can anyone help me logistically understand my next best move. I need a flight to Vegas on 9/12 so I'm not worried about finding a flight; just wondering what makes the most sense. I'm assuming it's backtrack and get a ride to Seattle but I'm wondering if anyone has additional insight. Thanks!

Experienced hiker here setting off next April for a thru hike and starting to put my gear together for it. I’ve hiked and backpacked in a lot of exposed terrain before but never in a true desert. I’m unsure if I should just go for a long sleeve safari style shirt or grab a sun hoodie I can strip down to a t shirt in. I hike very hot which is my main concern with the shirt but also want adequate Sun protection and don’t know how well sunscreen will hold up to the conditions. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Wouldn’t mind connecting with the people starting the same day as me reach out!

I just want to take an over poll of what everyone believes is the correct way to care for your blisters, to pop or not to pop, that is the question!?

Hi! I’m looking for some sleeping bag advice for my thru hike next year. For background, I’m a 5’3” woman, 115 lbs and will be starting April 15th. I sleep pretty cold and move around a lot in my sleep so unfortunately I’ve ruled out quilts. I also thru hiked the AT with a Western Mountaineering MegaLite 30F. Worked great for me except for a few cold nights in the Smokies. For my next sleeping bag, I am looking for a 10-15 degree bag, ideally 2 lbs or less. Cost is not as much of a factor.

I am mostly debating between:

• the Enlightened Equipment Conundrum - 950 FP, 10 degree, short/regular - 25.18 ounces, $440 (20% off during November)
• the Gryphon Gear Taurus - 900 FP, 10 degree, regular length, 27.59 ounces, $488

I also considered some feathered friends (Flicker, Lark) and Western mountaineering (Versalite) options. Any experience with these bags or any suggestions for other ones to consider? Thank you!!

Hey, I hiked the trail this year from late April to October and was thinking about writing a book (memoire) about everything that happened. This trail was an amazing and unique experience for me but I know that there is already a bunch of books and memoires out there and I don't want to write the same things as others have before. Imo "The trail provides" was a great read.

I wanted to ask this community about what would you be interested in reading about the pct? If you bought a non-technical/entertaining book about the trail, what style of stories would you like to hear? Which stories or narratives do you think are overused?

Maybe I should add another example: "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail." Seems to be a very successful book amongst NON-hikers while hikers tend to speak very badly of it (and with good reason). There is even a movie.