If you are anything other than an ultra-marathoner or elite thru-hiking specialist, it’s going to take you a minimum of four to five months to complete 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in its entirety. That’s if you don’t roll an ankle, get spooked by a bear, wear out, blow out, or simply lose interest much earlier – and if the conditions that are completely beyond your control cooperate in full.
Along with gold, there’s snow in them thar hills, and the PCT’s route takes you across each of the San Jacinto Mountains, San Gabriel and San Bernardino ranges, Tehachapi Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade Range as it works through California, Oregon, and Washington. That’s the order if you move south to north, the preferred route by a majority of thru-hikers given the ability to start the trek a little earlier in the year due to the Mexico/USA border being lower in elevation (and that much closer to the equator).
Start where the snow melts off earlier. Makes sense!
That said, plenty of thru-hikers still attempt the PCT southbound, starting at the northern terminus at the Canada/USA border and hiking through the North Cascades first, getting some of the steepness and tougher sections out of the way first. Waiting for the snow to melt accordingly up there, though, means you often can’t begin your trek until late April or early May, putting you on course for the central and southern California stretches in late August and September.
As we’ve seen more and more of lately, that means hiking through an area of the country that’s experiencing larger and more predictable fire seasons at the height of its danger. The Sierra, in particular, has seen its once consistent weather patterns shift to the extremes, with months of prolonged drought quenched by overwhelming rivers of moisture that only roll through at sparse, sporadic times, the end result being a lush snowmelt season that gives way to a dried-out tinderbox by late summer. Such has been the case again in 2024, and five major fires burning in California right now have forced closures of sections of the PCT.
Per the Pacific Crest Trail Association, the Apollo Fire in Antelope Valley, Bridge Fire near Wrightwood, and Line Fire near Big Bear have all forced dozens of miles of PCT closure within the last week. The Bridge Fire, in particular, has become of particular concern as it’s threatening the PCT resupply paradise that is the town of Wrightwood, where residents have been urged to evacuate. The fire’s proximity to Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains has also lent itself to some apocalyptic scenery as the fiery backdrop of the Los Angeles skyline.
As of the afternoon of September 12th, the Bridge Fire (51,000 acres), Line Fire (37,000+ acres), and Apollo Fire (800+ acres) are burning nearly 88,000 acres across southern California, with the Bridge Fire still at 0% containment. The Line Fire (17% contained) and Apollo Fire (100% contained) are both significantly further in their containment attempts.
While southbound PCT hikers are contending with these southern California fires, northbound trekkers are facing their own issues in both Oregon and Washington.
The Red Fire and south portion of the Willamette Complex have conspired to shut down some 27 miles of the PCT north of Windigo Pass in Oregon, with an alternate northbound route through the Mount Thielsen Wilderness suggested by the PCTA. Meanwhile further north, two fires (Bachelor Complex and North Willamette Complex) have closed over 50 miles of the PCT in Oregon’s Three Sisters Wilderness north of Waldo Lake, with no direct re-route advised.
In Washington, a fire near the northern terminus of the trail in the Glacier Peak Wildneress has prompted a closure of some 30 miles of the PCT. A rugged alternative route has been suggested by the PCTA around the Miner’s Complex fire, with empasis that it is a ‘long, arduous route’ that features a crossing of the Napeequa River ‘that may be an impassable obstacle after a rain.’ The William’s Mine fire near Mt. Adams also has a significant closure of the PCT in Washington, though the PCTA notes a road route alternative to circumvent the fire.
Fortunately, the 100+ degree heat wave that battered Los Angeles and much of southern California has moved through, meaning fire conditions – while still very high – are at least slightly less likely to further erupt. Hat-tip to the hotshot crews who are doing everything they can to keep these fires contained.
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