Six Things PCT Hikers of 2026 Need to Know (Tips from a Hiker of 2025)

W.An hour into my 2025 PCT hike, I realized my experience was already shaping up to be very different from Cheryl Strayed’s account of the hit book/movie. Wild. No matter how many PCT-related books, movies, blogs, and YouTube videos you’ve consumed, the route will surprise you. Reading about someone else’s thirst and discomfort is simply not the same as experiencing those things firsthand.

When it comes to hiking, the trail itself will be your best teacher. But there are still a few months to wait before the 2026 hiking season begins, it doesn’t hurt to read one More blog to help you prepare. From a Class of 2025 PCT hiker, here’s my advice to help you make the most of your 2026 hike.

1. Do your research, but don’t plan too much

The PCT was not my first trip. I arrived in Campo having already completed the AT and AZT, and I also had several years of experience working as a backpacker guide. Even with all that under my belt, I still felt overwhelmed and underprepared for the challenges the PCT poses to hikers.

In the months leading up to my start date, I eagerly followed the snow report to evaluate what conditions could be like in the Sierra. I became obsessed with my resupply strategy and ultimately decided not to send myself boxes before leaving, only to doubt that choice every time I encountered a hiker who did so.

Read next – Pacific Crest Trail Resupply Guide

I was nervous about a lot of things, but what I learned most early on was this: do your research, but don’t plan too much. Many things are out of your control on a hike (weather, snow levels, fire closures, etc.) and, being on the border with Mexico, it is impossible to predict what you will face on your way to Canada.

Be prepared, but not to the point of stress. Even the best-laid plans can be altered by forces beyond your control. One of the most beautiful lessons the trail teaches is how to stay flexible and let go.

Beautiful campground in Goat Rocks Wilderness in Washington.

2. Expect to spend more than you think

While hikers may spend less on the trails than they do in everyday life, hiking still isn’t cheap. You’ll need to budget for resupplies, meals in town, equipment upgrades, occasional hotel or hostel stays, and many miscellaneous expenses.

On the AT, I spent about $6,000 while hiking; on the PCT, closer to $7,000. Some will spend less than that, and others will spend much more (according to Halfway Anywhere’s PCT survey, Class of 2024 hikers spent a little more than $10,000 on average).

There’s less chance to splurge on urban food along the PCT compared to the AT, but things tend to be more expensive on the West Coast.

Hikers from around the world enjoy a “family dinner” at a shared Airbnb in Wrightwood, CA.

On every long ride I’ve been on, I’ve met people who had to quit because they ran out of money. Don’t let it be you. You’ve probably reorganized your entire life to make this dream possible. Why risk underbudgeting? Have a financial cushion and watch your expenses. You don’t need to obsessively check your banking app, but you do need to be aware of how much you have left to spend.

And remember: your travel expenses are not the only ones. Do you need to continue paying insurance, subscriptions, rent or a mortgage while you’re away? Budget for those too. If you’re brave enough to walk in nature for months at a time, be smart enough to get your finances in order beforehand.

Read next – How to Plan a Budget for Your Hike: A Step-by-Step Guide

3. Be open to new experiences and people

I didn’t expect the PCT to feel like a melting pot. I knew there would be international hikers, but I was surprised by the number of countries represented. I met hikers from Israel, Japan, the Czech Republic, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and these are just a few.

Even among American hikers there was a wide variety of backgrounds and stories. Around camp, conversations often turned into cultural exchanges: from childhood memories to musical tastes to what “vacations” meant growing up.

Be curious and embrace this diversity. How often in life do we get to live with people from so many different places and walks of life? Treat it as an opportunity to learn and connect. For many hikers, the highlight of the PCT is not the scenery, but the community.

Cowboy Camp Extravaganza! Several hikers prepared for a night of stargazing outside Tehachapi, CA.

4. Trust your instinct

At some point, you’ll probably find yourself thinking: Oh shit, I could die right now. Maybe it’s while traversing a snowfield in the Sierra or during an incomplete river crossing. Either way, the stakes are high and it’s crucial to trust your instincts.

If your gut tells you something isn’t safe, listen. In a time of high stress, it’s easy to get carried away by what others are doing, but your intuition could save your life. For example, if you arrive at Tyndall Creek late in the day and the current seems dangerous, camp and try to cross in the morning. Water levels are generally at their lowest early in the morning, when snowmelt has not yet filled the streams.

Read next – Going with the flow: How to tackle river crossings safely

Even off the trail, trusting your instincts is vital. Hitchhiking is part of life on the PCT, but if someone gives you a bad feeling, you can always say no. Most of the attractions are healthy and comforting; some are just weird but make for a good story later. Be careful and remember that another car will always appear eventually.

A harrowing journey on the way to the top of Mount Whitney.

5. Say yes to side quests

Some of the most iconic places hikers visit on the PCT actually aren’t in the PCT. The trail itself often skirts just below the most epic peaks; You will have to take side trails to get to them.

San Jacinto, Mount Baden-Powell, and Mount Whitney require extra effort, but are worth it. The detours often turned out to be some of the highlights of my hike. The actual PCT in Crater Lake National Park doesn’t take you anywhere near the lake; You have to take the Rim Trail if you want to see the legendary blue water. I had seen countless photos of Tunnel Falls before my hike, but I didn’t realize I was on the Eagle Creek alternative until I reached the junction.

You will meet hikers who can’t believe that you haven’t taken a certain alternative or visited a specific place. Remember, it is his hike. That being said, don’t be afraid to say yes to side quests. Sometimes the detours are what make the trip unforgettable.

Legendary detour to Tunnel Falls in Oregon.

6. Be flexible

A sad reality: nowadays it is almost impossible to maintain a continuous trajectory on the PCT. Fire closures, snow, and other obstacles will almost certainly force you to adjust your route or itinerary.

Some hikers insist on maintaining a continuous trail and walk along forest paths or highways to connect the dots. Others go ahead and return later when sections reopen. Some skip entire portions (looking at you, NorCal) and still consider their hike complete.

There is no single correct way to do it. Talk to other hikers, gather information, weigh your options, and then make the best decision for you. you. It can be overwhelming to figure out the logistics mid-hike, but remember: be flexible and trust that the trail will provide for you.

The PCT is a path in constant evolution. One hiker’s experience may be completely different from another’s, even though we all follow the same trail of dirt. Promoting the PCT is a dream come true for many. It’s a journey that tears you down and rebuilds you.

This could be you in 2026! My terminal photo on September 11, 2025.

No book, movie, or blog can truly prepare you for what awaits you. Take it as it comes, don’t give up on a bad day and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Cover image: Photo via Anna McKinney Smith. Graphic design by Zack Goldman.