PCT: The Desert

The 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.

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!