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Extending from the Mexican border northward along the Sierra and Cascade peaks of California, Oregon and Washington, the Pacific Crest Trail reaches the Canadian border east of Ross Lake, Wash.
Established in 1968, the former horse trail covers 2,650 miles, crosses 100 mountain peaks and skirts nearly 1,000 lakes. The trail passes through 24 forests and seven national parks.
In California, the federal Bureau of Land Management administers 115 miles of trail that rides the rugged spine of the Sierra Nevada into the high desert.
The trail passes alpine lakes, sagebrush wilderness, ancient gardens of jumbled stone, modern windmill farms and intriguing Joshua tree forests.
In Oregon and Washington, the trail is administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
Horses are permitted on certain sections of the trail.
Carry drinking water when hiking the desert section, for there are few water sources.
Some desert and flat sections of the trail are wheelchair-accessible.
Outdoor Activities |
A hiker pauses near the snowy peak of Mount Rainier in Washington.
The Pacific Crest trail ascends Mount Whitney.
The trail descends from Mount Rainier in Washington into Snowy Lake.
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