Pacific Crest Trail — Oregon
A multi-year section hike of the PCT from the California/Oregon border to the Columbia River Gorge — approximately 455 miles broken into 5 annual trips of 7–8 days each, hiked in July or August. Each year picks up where the previous left off, with planning focused on water access, manageable daily mileage, and reliable trailheads at the start and end of each segment.
Year 1 — I-5 / Siskiyou Pass → Mazama Village (Hwy 62)
PCT mi 1690 → 1791 · 101 miles · 8 days · ↑~9,600 ft ↓~8,600 ftSouthern Oregon high desert ridges, Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Hyatt Lake reservoirs, Brown Mountain lava field, Sky Lakes Wilderness, ending at Crater Lake National Park.
Year 2 — Mazama Village → Willamette Pass (Hwy 58)
PCT mi 1791 → 1908 · ~117 miles · 8 daysCrater Lake rim traverse, Diamond Lake, Mt. Thielsen Wilderness, Diamond Peak Wilderness, Waldo Lake approach.
Year 3 — Willamette Pass → Santiam Pass (Hwy 20)
PCT mi 1908 → 2012 · ~104 miles · 7–8 daysWaldo Lake wilderness, Elk Lake, McKenzie Pass lava fields, Three Sisters Wilderness — some of Oregon's finest scenery.
Year 4 — Santiam Pass → Hwy 26 (Timothy Lake)
PCT mi 2012 → 2098 · ~86 miles · 7 daysMt. Jefferson Wilderness, Jefferson Park, Olallie Lake, deepening Cascades.
Year 5 — Hwy 26 → Bridge of the Gods (Cascade Locks)
PCT mi 2098 → 2145 · ~47 miles · 4 daysMt. Hood, Timberline Lodge, Columbia River Gorge — a triumphant final push.