The Pacific Crest Trail: A Hiker's Companion

by Karen Berger, Daniel R. Smith

Overview

This book begins where basic trail guides and maps leave off. For each section of the trail, the authors describe the route in detail and recommend the best day hikes and short backpacks from each trailhead. They describe the plants and animals hikers will see, tell stories about local history, explain plate tectonics, and in a thousand other ways enrich your experience of the journey.

For many people, the Pacific Crest Trail is the ultimate long-distance hiking trail. Beginning in the dry valleys of southern California, it follows the crest of the snow-capped Sierras and ends in the ancient forests of Washington’s Cascades. Along the way, national treasures such as Yosemite, Crater Lake, and Mount Rainier make this trail one of the premier hiking destinations in the world. But hiking is about much more than getting from A to B. Berger and Smith draw on their tremendous experience—together they have logged more than 12,000 miles on the PCT—to give tested advice to long-distance hikers on trip planning, gear and safety, seasonal considerations, trailheads and resupplies, permits, and much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781581572124
Publisher:	Countryman Press, The
Publication date:	04/21/2014
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	1,043,729
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Karen Berger, author of the best-selling Hiking and Backpacking: A Trailside Guide, has hiked over 15,000 miles, including the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.

Daniel R Smith is professor of history and political science at Iona College.

Table of Contents

Preface to the 2014 Edition 6

Introduction 9

1 Campo to Pines-to-Palms Highway 19

2 Pines-to-Palms Highway to Big Bear 43

3 Big Bear to Soledad Canyon Road 65

4 Soledad Canyon Road to Tehachapi Pass 81

5 Tehachapi Pass to Kennedy Meadows 99

6 Kennedy Meadows to Reds Meadow 109

7 Reds Meadow to Sonora Pass 135

8 Sonora Pass to Donner Pass 147

9 Donner Pass to Belden 164

10 Belden to Castella 174

11 Castella to Ashland 188

12 Ashland to Willamette Pass 199

13 Willamette Pass to Santiam Pass 213

14 Santiam Pass to Cascade Locks 223

15 Cascade Locks to White Pass 239

16 White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass 259

17 Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass 272

18 Stevens Pass to Manning Provincial Park, Canada 283

Appendix A Agencies and Permits 299

Appendix B Suggested Reading 306

Index 310

Acknowledgments 320

Editorial Reviews

Designed for everyone from the weekender to the through-hiker, this guide to the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail aims to help the user safely navigate the most famous trail in the West. The authors, with some 12,000 Pacific Crest miles between them, share their knowledge on the trail's strengths (with interpretive sections on flora, fauna, and local history) and how to avoid its less enjoyable aspects (crowds and bears). The book is split into 18 sections covering specific stretches of the trail, each beginning with a map, followed by a description of the hike, including the best season to visit, and possible re-supply stations for those hiking longer stretches. The book assumes some knowledge of backpacking, so there is little discussion concerning gear or other basics. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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