Getting to the PCT: the approach path

Most people wonder how we get to the end of the trail. Let’s say that reaching the border with Mexico is no small feat; It requires multiple modes of transportation and an incredible amount of help from caring people who want to see you succeed.

On April 1 we left our cozy home behind, closing one door to open another. With everything we own packed into a van and car, our “home address” was moved to a post office box and storage unit in Portland, Oregon. We shouldered our backpacks and walked to the bus stop in the pouring rain – a perfect, if ironic, excuse to take out our umbrellas!

After hopping on the first bus to Union Station, we boarded the Coast Starlight Amtrak bound for San Diego. Little did we know that our last full night of rest would be March 31; We spent the next 48 hours tossing and turning in our coach seats. Despite the lack of sleep, it was an incredible experience and a first for both of us.

The highlight was waking up to snow in Klamath Falls. The slopes wind through the mountains for about two hours there, and since there’s no cell signal, you’re forced to swap your screen for the view. It was a beautiful sight. The next morning, we set up “camp” in the observation car with our laptops and a cooler full of refrigerated food that we hadn’t been able to part with before leaving the house. It was a bittersweet feast, knowing it would be the last “real” meal we would eat for many days.

The train became a center for travel stories similar to our own. We met a musician, a traveler touring the country, and a budding young photographer. Despite the name of the train, we didn’t actually see the coast until we reached the San Francisco area, about the last third of the trip. Along the way, kind strangers pointed out landmarks as we sped past; We even caught a glimpse of the SpaceX launch pad through the panoramic windows!

Our packs taking a break in Los Angeles

Our train arrived at the Los Angeles station late at night, where we “requisitioned” some uncomfortable chairs to wait for our 2:30 a.m. bus While we waited, an energetic hiker, covering miles of trails and pure enthusiasm, spotted our backpacks and struck up conversation. He shared photos of his first three weeks on the trail, explaining that he was taking a short break to see his girlfriend while waiting for the snowpack in the Sierra to melt; It was at that moment that the trail became very real.

Finally, we all parted ways, wishing him well as he boarded his bus and we caught ours. When we finally turned up in San Diego, we were exhausted and running entirely for the sheer excitement of the trail that would soon be beneath our feet. We were almost there. And there was a Starby’s across the street!

After spending two sunny days in San Diego, we hopped on the streetcar to the Old Town station, where our last form of transportation awaited us. There, nine strangers who shared the exact same dream quickly became friends as we boarded the Southern Terminus Shuttle. We began the hour-long drive southeast toward Campo, though not before making a couple of essential stops: a final gear check at REI and a last-minute snack grab at the Green Store.

The last stretch to Campo

CLEEF was our last stop, but it marked the true beginning of a new adventure: the Pacific Crest Trail. That night, we bonded over JetBoiled ramen and chatted about trails before retiring to our tents to rest.

The next morning, we woke up early for coffee and a homemade breakfast at 6:00 a.m. After stuffing our faces with bagels and peanut butter, we did one last weigh-in. Seeing the numbers on the scale caused a sudden reality check, and most of us decided to mail items home (or ahead) to lose a few extra pounds.

Signing of the class of 2026 poster at CLEEF

We were actually the last to leave. We put our backpacks on our backs, gave each other a quick kiss and finally set off: bound for Canada!

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