Pacific Crest Trail

Pacific Crest Trail. Vasquez Rocks. , You may not have realized it, but the ground you are standing on is part of one of the longest and most scenic continuous trails in the world. To your left, this trail meanders 2,397 miles to the Canadian border; to your right, it continues for 253 miles to the border with Mexico. Dedicated in 1968 as part of the National Trails System Act, the PCT became one of the nation's first National Scenic Trails. Spanning 2,650 miles, it is a remarkable collection of some of the most fantastic scenery in the United States. The PCT passes through diverse lands, including 25 National Forests, 6 National Parks, 51 Wilderness Areas, and numerous state and county parks. Traversing 9 ecoregions, including desert, alpine, forest, and volcanic landscapes, it ascends more than 100 major mountain passes and skirts the shores of countless bodies of water. , , The PCT In Vasquez Rocks , Each year, thousands of hikers and equestrians enjoy the trail: some travel a mile or two during a day hike, while others complete the entire trail in a non-stop single season, called "thru-hiking". Usually recognizable by their large packs, trekking poles, and great senses of adventure and humor, many pass through this area April to June heading north) or fall/winter (heading south). , , From its original alignment in the 1960s, the PCT was re-routed to pass through this park in the late 1980s, which now hosts 2-something miles of the scenic trail. With this re-route, interesting historic features were adapted to accommodate the trail: , . The trail enters the park through a long concrete tunnel under the SR-14 Freeway, which was originally created to allow the Escondido Creek pass under the new freeway as it was being built in the early 1960s. (Coincidentally, the tunnel's shape resembles the PCTs emblem) , . As the trail moves north through the park, much of the path it follows was a historic road dating to the 1920s-30s, during the park's homestead era, when tiny wooden cabins dotted the area around the ridge. , , Feeling at Home at "Hiker Heaven" , A fond memory for countless hikers and locals is a nearby private residence of "Trail Angels", which hosted and provided services for hikers for over 20 years. Able to camp, shower, resupply, and recuperate, Jeff and Donna Sauley opened their home and provided great comfort. Hikers far and wide knew this special spot, and were grateful for their selfless support. , , To learn more about the PCT and the National Scenic Trail system, check out www.PCTA.org.