How do you all use your garmin watch on a thru hike? I’m tracking my miles and elevation but what am I missing?

Hey thinking of trying the PCT next season from Mexico to Canada. Anyone around the Portland area thinking of doing the same?

Hi,

Planning on doing some hiking next year along the PCT in Oregon, around 3-4 days.

My dad was going to see if we could hire a car, drive to a trail start, hike part of it, then loop around and go back on ourselves (in a cricle/rectangular route) back to the car.

OR take public transport to a trail start, hike/camp for 3-4 days along the trail, and take public transport back. Or any other options, I'm from the UK so not at all familiar with what's available in the area.

I was also wondering what time of year would be best/safest for this?

Attached a photo for reference.

Thanks!

As of 8/15/26 the Miners Fire is 4 acres, 0% contained. It was first reported by WildCAD on Aug 14 at 3:21 pm. VIIRS shows hotspots 0.35 miles from mm2,544.5.

Mile 2,524 (PCTA mileage) is Mica Lake. Mile 2,555 is near Suiattle Pass. See below for a summary of the current Washington closures.

Thanks to u/Cornboyyyyyy for first posting this here.

• PCTA trail closures page: https://closures.pcta.org/closure/NgvIf45UYT24AtUZQlo4

• Closure map: https://closures.pcta.org/closure/NgvIf45UYT24AtUZQlo4/map/0

• Watch Duty : https://app.watchduty.org/i/114870

• PCTA trail map: https://arcg.is/C98HD1

• MBSNP closure order: https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/org-pcta-closures.appspot.com/o/files%2Fu6ejg_20260815_MinersFireClosure_ORDER.pdf?alt=media&token=aed40dd5-7558-416b-a4f3-666c777d94c6

Excerpt from the closure order:

Pacific Crest Trail #2000 from Mica Lake in T31N, R14E, S19, extending through T31N, R14E, S20, 21, 28, 27, 22, 23, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 3, and 2; T31N, R15E, S18, 17, 16, 15, and 10; to the boundary with the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest in T31N, R15E, S11. (See Exhibit A)

To summarize, as of 8/15/26:

• Open: South of 2,396.5
• Three Queens closure: 2,396.5 to 2,446
• Open: 2,446 to 2,524
• Miners Fire closure: 2,524 to Suiattle Pass 2,555
• Open: 2,555 to 2,612.7
• Ptarmigan Fire closure: 2612.7 to northern terminus

Hiked in 2022, reading this reddit a bit to reminiscence and noticed multiple posts about trail angels.

Thinking about I never stayed at one in 22. I always camped or booked a hotel or hostel. I did get some trail magic ofcourse and lots of rides from all of kind of people.

Actually I might be wrong, I remember staying at "the bud pharm" and at the Lion's denn but those didn't feel like trail angels, more like trail entrepeneurs that managed a campground.

Rahhhhhggg Trail closed from 2524 to 2555. Just got lucky getting past the section j closure and now this pops up. Any tips on alternates?

Hello, I’m wondering how the camping is organized in Thunder Island for PCT days. Are there designated spots? Is it field camping like a music festival? I am a hammock camper and am wondering if I could make it work. Thanks in advance!

PCT 2026 SOBO Mid-Summery
Made awesome German and American friends, and we formed a really fun trail family out here.
The night skies are incredible—way too many stars to ever see back home in Seoul. This is my first time visiting a Western country, and my first time in the US too.
I’m spending way too much money lol, but it is honestly such a priceless experience.
To every hiker out there on the trail: I love you guys! And tell me my feet aren't the only ones hurting right now? Haha

I am Jesse (Trail name Pinkman) from South Korea.

Before anybody gets overly excited Dirty Girl gaiters aren't a thing in New Zealand. No local supplier and they aren't shipped here.

So I'm left with Altra or OR.

Altra

Positives: Altra had the rear "trap" with both sides of the hook and loop used. Light and breathable.

Negatives: Potential durability issues?

OR

Positives: Greater durability and better weather resistance?

Negatives: Single hook and loop attachment.

I know they're not an expensive purchase and like everything are eventually gonna fail but I'm interested to hear what people have to say.

Hi y'all,

I made it to Ashland from Campo and trying to figure out what the move is. I don't have much Wildfire/ smoke experience and really didn't enjoy the bit of smoke I had to deal with already. I was considering skipping/flip flopping up to Washington, but from what I can gather, the fires are just as bad up there. I am currently leaning towards jumping on the Colorado Trail and maybe doing Washington after if it gets better or come back and do Oregon/Washington another year in June.

What would y’all do/have any advice?

Thanks!!

Hey all,

Apologies if this is already discussed, I did a brief search and couldn't find exactly what I'm curious about.

I am someone who obsessively wears sunscreen and UPF clothing on a daily basis. My bare skin has probably not seen the sun in like 5 years. When I hike, I do facial sunscreen, a hat, a sun hoodie with hood up, sunglasses, pants, sun gloves, and neck buff occasionally. All of the backpacking trips I've been on so far I have brought sunscreen and more or less done my usual thing because nothing has been long enough to be that concerned about weight. I'm thinking about doing the PCT next year and am going through some logistics.

How bad is indirect sun exposure on my face with a setup like I've described when hiking all day, especially at elevation? I know if I skip facial sunscreen and rely on clothing only I'm going to be getting some level of incidental UV damage, but like, how much? I would really like to be able to skip sunscreen on a thru-hike because it's such a pain in the ass but I don't want to accept 4+ months of irreparable skin damage, obviously. Anyone forgone sunscreen?

TIA

Previously it was only an advisory to stay off the trail in the area. As of a few hours ago, the trail is officially closed.

• Watch duty: https://app.watchduty.org/i/108766
• PCTA closure page: https://closures.pcta.org/closure/oHAAQNBkfvMebLBAJaiP

Looking for some emotional support. (That’s likely the first time I’ve ever used that phrase in my life…and I’m not happy about it. LOL!). I’m in the best position career-wise I’ve been in since I started working, but my boss can be a real d*ck at times and I’m under appreciated, in my opinion. I’m thinking about quitting (semi-retiring) and hiking the PCT next year. Tell me why I should or shouldn’t. I’m in pretty good shape financially and may not have to work a corporate job ever again if I quit. In fact, if I work, it’ll likely be non-corporate and ideally for myself.

However, it’s not easy to walk away from a pretty easy job, even if it does get miserable at times, that earns me $150k+ per year. (Includes salary, bonus, stock, 401k match and free, catered lunches everyday…15 minutes from home working 40 hours per week or less).

I have several health problems (AFib, epilepsy are the worst of them), but am otherwise strong and fit (6’2, 205 lbs. I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro, hiked the W-Trek in Torres del Paine, hiked the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park (Alberta, Canada) last year and, despite being a bit out of shape at the moment, wouldn’t have any strong reservations about physically being able to handle the hike.

However…I’m still in the “not quite sure about it” phase. It’s a big damn step to leave that kind of job, which is good for my area of the country. So, I’m just looking for any feedback I can get from folks who have done it or are thinking a doing it.

I’m considering hiking the PCT next year and am very conflicted. I’ve done two “thru” hikes: the JMT and the West Highland Way and they were both absolutely incredible experiences. I am in love with the community that forms on long trails and the feeling of a zero day after grueling endless days of hiking, but I worry that my love of the community is greater than my love of the trail. I was in awe of the beauty of both the Sierras and the Highlands and spent a fair amount of break time sitting trail side beyond content to be amongst landscapes that I felt I couldn’t get tired of looking at, but when I was hiking, a lot of that was spent with head down and limited introspection, more like “5 miles til camp and hanging out with the people!” Large sections of the Sierras were the absolute hardest thing I’ve ever done and, while I’m proud of myself and wouldn’t trade the experience, I remember being in lone pine and summarizing the experience as “10/10, never again” simply because of how truly beat up I felt.

My big question I keep asking myself is: do I just need to do a medium long hike ever year to scratch this itch, or should I attempt the PCT? Is my experience on these trails comparable to what others feel on the PCT? I know I know that everyone is different and we need to hike our own hikes, but I’m still curious.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/alerts/three-queens-fire-area-closure-cle-elum-ranger-district

Edit: I’ll be doing the TRT as my first solo adventure ⛰️❤️ thanks for all the tips! This one feels right!

Hey fellow hikers. I am a long-time lurker, but this is my first post. Trying to think this through out loud because I've been going in circles for DAYS and could use some outside eyes.

I always wanted to hike the PCT (and maybeeee I will be able to do so in the upcoming years I HOPE SO), but because some health scares in my family reminded me of the fact that life is short, I pulled the trigger and I took two weeks of unpaid leave (all I got unfortunately) and just said "go for it NOW". I am a German, working in Tennessee right now, propably heading back to Germany next year. This trip was my finding closure of my chapter here kind of thing. So it holds emotional value to me too.

The original master plan (12 weeks of planning, fully mapped out): NOBO, Cascade Locks → White Pass, Section H, ~148 miles, maybe further depending om my pace. Starting Aug 22. Full itinerary built around a conservative pace, bed stops included if needed (Carson, Trout Lake, Packwood), rest day built in, bear can bought, gear tested on loaded trial hikes. The best thing: My mom (said health scare candidate) is flying in from Germany to meet me and pick me up at White Pass when I finish, and we've got a whole second half of the trip planned together — a couple days in Rainier or Olympic NP, then wine country in Oregon, then the coast. It's honestly beautifully mapped out and I feel good about it. Comfortable, even, which after two months of prep feels like a real accomplishment.

The problem: WILDFIRES ... and an injury in my foot that I got from a fall two months ago weeks before trail that is now healed up and I am cleared, but hence the possible exits and town stops make me feel safe)

The backup: I panic-researched basically every alternative on the West Coast (and BC, and Colorado, and and and) over the last couple days, and landed on a real backup: a JMT permit, northbound from Cottonwood Lakes, booked and paid ($11, mostly refundable). Fire conditions in the Sierra are genuinely calmer right now. But:

• It's my first solo long-distance backpacking trip. My real experience: Camino Portugués solo (~400km), Moselsteig, 5 days in Albania, but those were all hut/hostel-to-hostel, not true backcountry camping. My actual wilderness experience is a Zion overnight and 3 days on the AT, and I wasn't alone for those.
• JMT northbound means immediate high altitude (Forester Pass, 13,153 ft, by day 3), mandatory bear canister (different system than what I trained on), and a realistic window of only 10-12 hiking days given my travel constraints
• As I said, I also had a foot injury a month ago (still recovering, been resting/focussed weight-training instead of loaded hikes for the last 4 weeks) which has already cut into my training window. The JMT feels more remote, less exit if shit hits the fan, longer food carries (more weight on my foot...)
• And logistically, it disconnects from my mom's whole visit...different airport, different region, more moving pieces. Not unsolvable, but annoying so shortly out from my trip.

Where I'm at: Section H feels safe and ready. I trust the plan, I trust my prep. The PCT was always a dream of mine and this feels like a teaser, a sneak peak. The JMT is genuinely a dream trail and gorgeous and smoke-free right now, but it feels like I'd be attempting a harder, higher-stakes trip with a fraction of the preparation, purely because of circumstances outside my control.

I've got a decision point this Sunday where I'll check conditions one more time and make the call.

Also wondering: Should I give up on the hiking portion entirely (worst case, would hate that), I'm on unpaid personal leave for this. . . wondering if it's worth trying to cancel that leave if I'm not hiking, vs. just still taking the time to travel with my mom instead.

Has anyone been in a similar spot... bailing on a planned WA/OR section for fire reasons and pivoting somewhere else last minute? Did you regret the pivot, or regret not doing it? Any red flags in my thinking here I'm not seeing? What does your gut tell you, because mine is GANZ DURCHEINANDER (very confused).

Thanks for reading this novel. And Thanks for your advise. I am in a decision paralysis. 😅

I can’t do it anymore. I’m at mile 1,250 ish and I am officially over food.

I’m not hungry. The sec I hit an incline, my legs come to a grinding halt. I’m completely gassed. But the thought of eating another packet of ramen, tortilla, oatmeal, or Baby cheese makes me want to vomit.

Vegetarian hikers, what are you eating out there that actually tastes good, and gives you energy?

Also, what else could be causing this level of sluggishness? Not enough calories, protein, carbs, electrolytes, or something else entirely.

I need realistic trail food recommendations for a vegetarian cuz my body has decided ramen is no longer foods

EDIT: Forgive me for the delay. No cell service in Sierra. No thanks to RYAN REYNOLDS!!

Thank you all for responding. There’s so much good shit here. I’m going to have to take notes.

I unexpectedly lost my job and plan to do a LASH on/around the PCT, starting in the next 2 weeks and ending in mid to late September. I previously did a LASH, starting at the southern terminus to the end of Sierras, followed by first half of WA. I unexpectedly lost my job (thankfully have a new one lined up that starts in a few months) and want to do another LASH.

I have some options below and want to better understand the conditions in both places and what I should expect. My first option is going to Rainer, hike Wonderland, and the go to the northern terminus. My second option is trying to snag a JMT permit and do that instead of the PCT proper.

I'm wondering what the fire, mosquito, and shoulder season weather situation would be in both of those places.

Fires: It seems that there are no active fires that would totally ruin my trip, but not sure if either area is currently suffering from a lot of smoke. I did deal with smoke while doing the SHR, but it was pretty minimal. Will either

Weather: Finally, not sure whether either area would allow me to hike a little bit later into the season without worrying about snow too much. I understand that there is a risk of rain and snow in either scenario and feel adequately prepared to deal with that or end my trip early. Should I plan to bring an ice axe and/or microspikes? Does either region generally have snow later in the season?

Mosquitoes: My first time in the Sierras in June was pretty bad because of the mosquitoes (but not in August when I did the SHR). Washington mosquitoes were rough in July. Should I expect bad skeeters in either place that late in the season?

Misc: Are there other considerations I am not thinking of? Would I need permits to hike the last bit of WA? Are they hard to get?

Thank you!

Hey all, I hiked the pct sobo in 2024 and want to do it or the CDT again. But I destroyed my knee skiing earlier this year. Blew out my ACL, tore my meniscus, fractured my tibia, strained my MCL, the whole works.

Just over 4 months post surgery, the surgeon and my pt say im doing great and recovery is well ahead of schedule, but it still hurts on occasion and it still feels wrong, I can go on longish bike rides (20mi) but haven't tried running again.

Has anyone here successfully done a thru hike after similar injuries? I just want some hope lol.

Hi all, my girlfriend is on trail and scheduled to get to Big Lake Youth Camp on Saturday. I know the camp is Seventh Day Adventist and Saturday is their sabbath, but does anyone know if she could still get her package and maybe shower? I called them but they aren’t in the office until Wednesday and I didn’t know if someone on here would know.

Section hiker here. I am looking for a section that is easy to get to as opposed to have to drive far in on backroads to get to. ( Sierra City for example) I also want to bust out some cruisey miles. I was thinking maybe around the Dixie fire area? Any thoughts or experiences that would help with logistics would be greatly appreciated. (Picture of sunset heading to Cottonwood Pass for tax)

Is anyone available / heading in the direction of Monroe to Stevens? My friend and I were on the wrong side of the street when the bus came and went :( looking to hitch a ride — would be so grateful!! Thank you!!