PCT: Northern California
4 min readNorthern California covers 591 miles (951 km) from Chester to Seiad Valley. Eighteen days through volcanic terrain, Hat Creek Rim, the shadow of Mt. Shasta, and the Marble Mountains. Lower drama than the Sierra, steady miles, and some of the best trail towns on the PCT.
| Distance | Elevation | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 591 mi (951 km) | 83,000 ft (25,300 m) ↗️ 85,000 ft (25,900 m) ↘️ | 18 |
Chester
Trail Info
Mile: 1332.4 · Elevation: 5,051 ft · 🌃 Town · 🚿 Showers
TODO: Arriving in Chester after skipping the Sierra. Resupply, getting back on trail.
Chester to Warner Valley Camp
Trail Info
Distance: 19 mi (30.6 km) · Camp elevation: 5,641 ft
TODO: First day out of Chester. Lassen Volcanic area. Warner Valley Camp.
Warner Valley to Hat Creek
Trail Info
Distance: 19.4 mi (31.2 km) · Camp elevation: 4,917 ft · Day 50
TODO: Lassen section into Hat Creek.
Hat Creek to Cache 22
Trail Info
Distance: 23.8 mi (38.3 km) · Camp elevation: 4,657 ft
TODO: Hat Creek Rim — the infamous waterless, exposed stretch.
Cache 22 to Burney
Trail Info
Distance: 17.8 mi (28.6 km) · Camp elevation: 3,112 ft · 🌃 Town · 🚿 Showers
TODO: Into Burney. Resupply, town stop.
Burney to Rock Creek
Trail Info
Distance: 14.3 mi (23 km) · Camp elevation: 3,350 ft · 🌲 Nice camp
TODO: Leaving Burney. Rock Creek camp.
Rock Creek to Moosehead Creek
Trail Info
Distance: 21.7 mi (35 km) · Camp elevation: 5,293 ft · 🌲 Nice camp
TODO: Moosehead Creek.
Moosehead Creek to Deer Creek
Trail Info
Distance: 18.7 mi (30.1 km) · Camp elevation: 3,630 ft
TODO: Deer Creek camp.
Deer Creek to Girard Ridge
Trail Info
Distance: 24.2 mi (38.9 km) · Camp elevation: 4,615 ft · 🌲 Nice camp · 🌄 Views
TODO: Girard Ridge — nice camp with views.
Girard Ridge to Mt Shasta / Castle Crags
Trail Info
Distance: 10.9 mi (17.5 km) · Camp elevation: 2,464 ft · 🚿 Showers
TODO: Short day. Mt Shasta town stop, Castle Crags State Park. Showers.
Castle Crags to Seven Lakes
Trail Info
Distance: 19.4 mi (31.2 km) · Camp elevation: 6,497 ft
TODO: Climbing out of Castle Crags into the Trinity Alps. Seven Lakes.
Seven Lakes to Cooper Meadow
Trail Info
Distance: 30.8 mi (49.6 km) · Camp elevation: 6,168 ft · 🌄 Views · 💯 Best night · Day 59
TODO: Big day. Cooper Meadow — one of the best nights on trail.
Cooper Meadow to Eagle Peak
Trail Info
Distance: 20.4 mi (32.8 km) · Camp elevation: 7,295 ft
TODO: Eagle Peak camp at 7,295 ft.
Eagle Peak to Paynes Lake
Trail Info
Distance: 21.7 mi (35 km) · Camp elevation: 6,520 ft · 🌄 Views · 🚿 Showers
TODO: Paynes Lake camp.
Paynes Lake to Kelsey Creek
Trail Info
Distance: 35 mi (56.3 km) · Camp elevation: 6,124 ft · 🌲 Nice camp
TODO: Big day through the Marble Mountains. Alt route via Kelsey Creek.
Kelsey Creek to Girder Creek
Trail Info
Distance: 20.5 mi (33 km) · Camp elevation: 1,718 ft · 🚿 Showers
TODO: Down to Girder Creek. Showers available.
Girder Creek to Devil's Peak
Trail Info
Distance: 14.2 mi (22.9 km) · Camp elevation: 5,755 ft · 🌄 Views · 🌲 Nice camp · 4,371 ft gain
TODO: Massive climb — 4,371 ft of elevation gain. Devil's Peak camp with views.
Devil's Peak to Bearground Springs
Trail Info
Distance: 23.5 mi (37.8 km) · Camp elevation: 6,271 ft · Day 65
TODO: Bearground Springs.
Bearground Springs to Mt Ashland
Trail Info
Distance: 21.7 mi (34.9 km) · Camp elevation: 6,507 ft · 🌲 Nice camp
TODO: Mt Ashland — last camp before the Oregon border. Nice camp.
Mt Ashland to Ashland
Trail Info
Distance: 8.7 mi (14 km) · Elevation: 4,202 ft · Crossed the CA/OR border
TODO: Short morning hike across the state line into Ashland. End of NorCal.
Reflections
TODO: NorCal reflections. The volcanic landscape, Hat Creek Rim, the Marble Mountains, steady miles.
Previous: ← Sierra Nevada · Next: Oregon →
Happy trails!