PCT: The Desert
4 min readThe Desert section of the PCT covers 648 miles (1,043 km) from the Mexican border at Campo to Kennedy Meadows South, the gateway to the Sierra. Thirty-three days of walking through Southern California. Hot, exposed, and dry, but broken up by surprisingly green mountains and welcoming trail towns.
This guide covers the practical details: where to find water, which towns are worth stopping in, trail angels, and how to manage the heat.
| Distance | Elevation | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 648 mi (1,043 km) | 136,000 ft (41,450 m) D+ 131,000 ft (39,930 m) D- | 33 |
Campo to Hauser Creek
TODO: Southern terminus, first steps, the monument. 15.7 miles.
Hauser Creek to Boulder Oaks
TODO: 10.3 miles.
Boulder Oaks to Mount Laguna
TODO: First town-ish stop. Showers. 15.5 miles.
Mount Laguna to Sunrise Trailhead
TODO: 20 miles.
Sunrise Trailhead to Julian area
TODO: Nice camp spot near Julian. 11.6 miles.
Julian area to Scissors Crossing
TODO: 12.2 miles.
Scissors Crossing to Warner Springs
TODO: Long water carry. 24.2 miles.
Warner Springs to Pine Mountain
TODO: Nice camp, good views. 12.7 miles.
Pine Mountain to Nance Canyon
TODO: 18.4 miles.
Idyllwild
TODO: Two zero days at Idyllwild Inn / Campground. Showers, resupply.
Idyllwild to Spitler Peak
TODO: Good views from Spitler Peak. 16.7 miles.
Spitler Peak to Saddle Junction
TODO: Nice camp with views. San Jacinto area. 10.9 miles.
Saddle Junction to Fuller Ridge
TODO: 11.1 miles.
Fuller Ridge to I-10
TODO: Massive descent to the desert floor. Nice camp at junk heap. 20 miles.
I-10 to Mission Creek
TODO: 15.7 miles.
Mission Creek to Mission Camp
TODO: 13.8 miles, big climb.
Mission Camp to Outside Big Bear
TODO: 19.4 miles.
Outside Big Bear to Big Bear Lake
TODO: Short day into town. 6.7 miles.
Big Bear Lake
TODO: Zero day in Big Bear. Resupply, showers.
Big Bear to Little Bear Springs
TODO: 19.5 miles.
Little Bear Springs to Deep Creek Hot Springs
TODO: Hot springs with showers. 22.3 miles.
Deep Creek to Silverwood Lake
TODO: Nice camp at Silverwood. 21.6 miles.
Silverwood Lake to Swarthout Canyon
TODO: Rift Zone views. 17.7 miles.
Swarthout Canyon to Blue Ridge
TODO: 19.9 miles.
Blue Ridge to Wrightwood
TODO: Short into town. Showers, resupply. 2 miles.
Wrightwood to Dawson Saddle
TODO: Cowboy camped. Nice camp, great views at 8,854 ft. 11.4 miles.
Dawson Saddle to Sulfur Springs
TODO: 26.1 miles.
Sulfur Springs to Messenger Flat
TODO: Good views. 23.8 miles.
Messenger Flat to Vasquez Rocks
TODO: Cowboy camped. Nice camp, views. 16.4 miles.
Vasquez Rocks to Sierra Pelona
TODO: Nice camp, views. 16 miles.
Sierra Pelona to Lake Hughes Road
TODO: Showers at Lake Hughes Road. 23 miles.
Lake Hughes Road to Horse Trail Camp
TODO: Nice camp, views. 21.2 miles.
Horse Trail Camp to Hikertown
TODO: 10.6 miles.
Hikertown to Wind Turbines
TODO: Cowboy camped at Cottonwood Creek faucet under the wind turbines. Aqueduct walk. 17.3 miles.
Wind Turbines to Outside Tehachapi
TODO: Cowboy camped. 14.1 miles.
Outside Tehachapi to Tehachapi
TODO: Cowboy camped, then into town. 17.5 miles.
Tehachapi (zero day 1)
TODO: First of 3 nights in Tehachapi.
Tehachapi (zero day 2)
TODO: Second zero.
Tehachapi to Golden Oaks Spring
TODO: 16.8 miles.
Golden Oaks to Landers Creek
TODO: 23.8 miles.
Landers Creek to Bird Spring Pass
TODO: Good views. 23.7 miles.
Bird Spring Pass to Walker Pass
TODO: Good views. 20.5 miles.
Walker Pass to Owens Peak
TODO: Good views. 21.5 miles.
Owens Peak to Outside KMS
TODO: 24.1 miles.
Outside KMS to Kennedy Meadows South
TODO: Short day into KMS. End of the desert. 5.3 miles.
Reflections
TODO: What the desert taught you, what you'd do differently, advice for new NOBO hikers.
Next up: Sierra Nevada: Kennedy Meadows South to Echo Lake →
Thanks for reading. Questions about the desert section? Hit me up on Instagram @andrewtpham.
Happy trails!