Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from San Francisco to Canada in 3 months?
I am considering flying to San Francisco next summer to hike the Pacific Crest Trail to Canada.
Is 3 months likely to be enough for this route? I am only visa-exempt for 3 months and I really do not wish to apply for a visa.
I would most likely take the bus or train from San Francisco to Oroville or Chico, and join the trail in nearby Belden.
Best Answer
3 months seems like it would be on the tight side, especially if you're not an endurance athlete capable of sustaining a particularly fast pace every single day. The Pacific Crest Trail Association recommends allowing at least five months for the entire trail, and you're doing a substantial portion of it. The time will depend a lot on weather and other factors outside of your control.
If we assume you start around Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite, to pick a convenient and beautiful location vaguely east of San Francisco, we can use these mileages to find an approximate distance of 1,764 miles. Doing that in three months requires an average of ~20 miles/day, or closer to 24 miles/day if you take one zero day a week. This appears to be somewhat faster than the average PCT hiker. A few delays could easily sink your chances of finishing. Starting farther north is always an option too.
This is obviously a very serious hike that requires a lot of preparation. The PCTA has extensive information on the trail, including maps and guidebooks. This is really the kind of question you can only answer for yourself by learning everything possible about the trip and assessing your own experience and abilities. It's also the kind of question where if you have to ask (beyond just looking for someone to validate your considered thinking), you haven't done enough research yet. The Association also operates a Facebook group where you can discuss the details with experienced trail-hikers.
I would give some more consideration to applying for the visa. There is a risk involved (if you are denied for some reason, you won't be able to use the VWP in the future and will need to apply for a visa again), but the advantage of not having legal pressure hanging over the timeframe for your hike is huge. Three months is even less time when you figure that you need a few days on the start and end and that, if you find yourself in time pressure, extricating yourself from the trail and getting out of the country will surely take at least a few days.
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Can you hike the PCT in 3 months?
The trail is 2,650 miles and it generally takes the entire snow-free season to walk. That's about 5 months. Elite athletes who are experienced on the PCT have finished the trail in as little as two months. The few who achieve sub-100 day hikes average well over 30 miles per day.How long does it take to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada?
The Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT, runs 2650.10 miles through the states of California, Oregon and Washington. Spanning from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada. It takes anywhere from four to six months of backpacking. Through one national park and wilderness area after the next, one step at a time.Can you hike into Canada on the PCT?
Entering Canada without this permit is illegal. Without an approved Canada PCT Entry Permit printed and in your possession, crossing into Canada via the PCT is strictly prohibited and a serious violation of Canadian Federal Law. The consequences could result in imprisonment, deportation, and a lifetime ban from Canada.How long does Pacific Crest Trail take?
Though its popularity has grown since, the whole length of the route, taking six months to complete on average, has still been completed by less people than have climbed Everest.Pacific Crest Trail 2022- Days 91-93 - Trail Magic, RV hitches and Mountain Madness
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