PCT Logistics, Overview and Schedule

The permitting process

Unlike the Appalachian Trail and many other trails on the East Coast, the PCT requires a permit to hike the trail. Those permits are not easy to obtain for a desired start date. The PCT Association uses a random lottery system to assign permits. You can only apply for a permit once per hiking season.

The way the process works is that you are randomly assigned a time to log into the permit portal on permit release day (November 13, 2025 for the 2026 hiking season). There are 35 permits available per day from March 1 to May 31. Permits for a given date are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. That means the earlier in the day you are assigned a time to log in, the better your chances of having a good start day. Later in the day (usually between 1:30 and 2:00), all permits are requested for all dates. That’s why not everyone who wants a permit gets one. It’s a lottery!

I was happy with my lottery draw. I received a request at 12:20, which left me a little before the halfway point, which should mean there are still a few dates available in April. When I entered the portal, at 12:20:40, all permits until April 23 had been taken and only 7 permits remained for April 24. I got an April 24th permit quickly!

PCT Overview

The first 700 miles of the PCT are in the Southern California desert. That section is usually very dry and water can be a problem. There are parts of that stretch where I will have to carry 5 liters of water (11 pounds) and be careful with that water supply. Most of the time, there is little to no shade and it can be very windy. Daytime highs should be between 65 and 90 with lows between 32 and 45. There are quite a few small towns, lodges or volunteer provided trails in this section. The average number of days to travel that section is 48 days.

The second major section of the PCT is approximately 400 miles through the High Sierras. This includes very remote areas, long 5-6 day food transports, traversing alpine snowfields, snow-covered mountain passes, many water crossings due to snowmelt, elevations up to 14,500 feet, and some incredible scenery. I will cross Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks and traverse the John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness, eventually ending up in the high desert just before South Lake Tahoe. The average duration of the Sierras Altas is 38 days.

The third main section is 600 miles in northern California and ends at the Oregon border. Water shouldn’t be as problematic as it is in the desert, but since this is a drought year, it can become a bit problematic. There are quite a few small towns along the way to resupply, and I only anticipate a 5-day haul of food on this section. There are many long, steep climbs and descents in this section, particularly in and out of towns where roads cross the trail at the bottom of a valley. The weather will be hot and hopefully dry. This is where wildfires become not only a possibility but a reality. The average duration of the Nor Cal section is 30 days.

The fourth main section is approximately 450 miles across the state of Oregon. This section is «flatter» than Nor Cal, but with lots of mosquito activity in the summer. This section includes Crater Lake, Three Sisters Wilderness, and Mount Hood. This is also an area that experiences frequent wildfires during the summer and fall. The average length of the Oregon section is 23 days.

The fifth major section spans approximately 600 miles across Washington state in the North Cascade mountain range and ends at the Canadian border. Much of this stretch is remote and rugged, with constant ascents and descents. Given how late I’m starting in April, completing Washington and reaching the Canadian border before the high mountain passes are closed for the season due to snow can be a challenge. The average duration of the Washington leg is 27 days. That includes the two-day hike BACK from the Canadian border to reach civilization and leave the PCT.

Replenishment on the PCT

My resupply plan on the PCT is a little different than my original plan for the AT. I only plan to mail myself supplies when 1) I need to change gear (right before and right after High Sierras), 2) to refill prescriptions, 3) there is no other good option to get food. I’m keeping the resupply boxes to a minimum with only 11 planned, and I hope to skip a few of them. The rest of the time, I’ll restock at trusted stores, suppliers, or equivalent when I can get into town. Keep in mind that getting into town will involve a LOT more hitchhiking on the PCT than it will on the AT.

Pit Crew will mail my resupply boxes a few weeks before I need them. That way she can add things I can’t plan ahead for, like new shoes, a new pair of pants to walk in after losing a lot of weight, etc.

PCT Equipment

My gear, including clothing, is primarily made up of items I used on the AT in 2024 and on numerous stretch hikes since. The exceptions to this are a new backpack, a new fleece, micro spikes, an ice ax, a bear can, and an Ursack. Apart from these exceptions, I am only going to refer to my PCT team detailed page on my personal website instead of regurgitating all the team information here.

The new backpack is the lighter version of the Osprey Atmos AG 65 backpack that I used for the second half of the AT. This new version has EXACTLY the same beefy suspension system, but eliminates a bunch of internal compartments, zippers, and other amenities to shed about 1.5 pounds of weight. Also, I took the lid/brain off that package to save weight. Even with that weight savings, it’s a heavy backpack at 3.53 pounds, but I know it doesn’t cause me back problems. I will accept that compensation.

For the desert section of the PCT, there are no requirements on how to store food. However, there are strict regulations in the Sierras and early northern California that require a rigid, bear-resistant container called bear can. My Bear Can weighs 2.5 pounds empty and takes up a lot of space. I’m not looking forward to driving that thing almost 500 miles, but the fines are nasty and my permit could be revoked if I get caught without it. Once I get north of the Desolation Wilderness in Northern California, the hard container rules go away, but there are still requirements in several areas for bear-resistant food storage. When I send the bear can home, I will switch to a Ursack. The Ursack is a lighter (13 ounce) soft-sided food storage container that meets new food storage regulations in Northern California, Washington, and Oregon.

For Mount Baden-Powell and the High Sierras, I will use Micro-Peaks. They are steel spikes that attach to the sole of my shoes to prevent slipping on ice and snow. For the Sierras I will take a ice ax. The purpose of the ice ax is to help stop a fall and slide down an icy or snowy slope. I’ll ship the picks and ax home from Lake Tahoe.

General calendar on the PCT

This will be a very interesting year to promote the PCT. This year there has been very little snow in the Sierras and Cascades. Lots of rain, but warm temperatures have kept snow to a minimum except at higher altitudes. Some areas report only 20% to 30% of the year’s typical snowpack. That’s a double-edged sword. That SHOULD mean less snow at lower elevations to have to deal with. There will always be snow at higher elevations to deal with. Less snow cover COULD also mean that water crossings due to snowmelt in the High Sierras won’t be as deep or fast this year. Only time will tell on that topic. However, less snow cover also means less drinking water and a higher risk of wildfires in the summer and fall.

I will start April 24, 2026. I feel confident that I can make it through the desert and reach the start of the Sierras at Kennedy Meadows South by June 9. There are two mountains I need to cross in the desert section that usually have snow this time of year. The first is Mount San Jacinto. In mid-April 2026, there is no snow on that peak, so I don’t have to worry about having my micropeaks or my ice ax for that. The second is Mount Baden-Powell. That mountain still has snow and difficult terrain, so I’ll need my micro-spikes, but not my ice axe, according to recent reports of hiking in that area.

Once I reach the start of the High Sierras around June 9, things start to get complicated. It is not safe or advisable to start in the High Sierras until the snow has melted sufficiently. USUALLY this occurs around June 15th. This year, due to the lack of significant snow, you should be able to start entering the Sierras right away. I won’t know for sure until May, when early season hikers send in information on trail conditions. That said, they did receive five feet of snow over the course of two snowstorms in early April in the Sierras.

I hope to complete the Sierras and arrive in South Lake Tahoe around July 7th. Pit Crew will fly out and meet me in Tahoe for a well-deserved double zero day off the slopes.

Without going into too much detail, my goal is to reach the Canadian border by September 30th. That’s a little aggressive, but I’m worried about early snow in the Northern Cascades, which could stop my adventure abruptly and early. Only time will tell if I can make it to Canada before the first snow!

Happy trails

That’s all for now. Before I hit the road in the very near future, I plan to do an FAQ post. I will post summaries of the route logs on The Trek and will post detailed daily route logs on my website. Until then, keep going!