The Pacific Crest Trail was designated as one of the first National Scenic Trails way back in 1968. As it traverses the "high road" from Mexico to Canada, incredible views are not only commonplace but also uniquely diverse, because the trail connects six of North America's seven eco-zones. The PCT's familiar, well-worn path is a special place for hikers from all walks of life on walks of all lengths and for all reasons. Instead of guiding you through the arduous task of hiking the entire PCT, the goal of this book is to help you plan trips that incorporate hiking on the PCT in Oregon, whether you have just an afternoon to spare or you want to escape for the entire weekend. Carefully edited maps and elevation graphs generated with GPS data collected by the author on the trail will help make your trip a success. This cargo-pocket guide offers author-tested advice to help you make the most of your time away from civilization, however long (or short) that stretch may be.

Author Biography

Paul Gerald's writing career began in the sports department of the much-missed Dallas Times Herald. He later worked for the Memphis Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Flyer before setting out as a freelancer. His work has appeared in Northwest Airlines' WorldTraveler, Portland's Willamette Week, Dish Magazine, Nike.com, Weissmann Travel Reports, and numerous newspapers around the country. Gerald's hiking life started at age 12, when he went to a summer camp in the Absoraka Mountains of Wyoming. He became a trail and road hound at that point, and his hometown of Memphis never looked the same. He's hiked in the Rocky Mountains from New Mexico to Montana, as well as in Appalachia, Alaska, Nepal, and Argentina. In 1996 he moved to Portland to be close to the ocean, the mountains, and the big trees. Gerald is co-author of The Best in Tent Camping: Oregon (Menasha Ridge Press), and the author of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland (Menasha Ridge Press) and Breakfast in Bridgetown (Bacon and Eggs Press).