Pacific Crest Trail
2023 & 2026
Oregon
– Section Hiking the PCT through Oregon –
PCT Miles in Oregon
Miles in 2023
Miles in 2026
About thIS Section Hike
After thru-hiking Oregon’s coastline in 2021, I was equally excited to explore a long-distance path through Oregon’s interior. My home state’s unique biodiversity is a genuine natural wonder. So what better way to explore this state’s rich volcanic terrain than via the PCT, which runs along the backbone of the Cascade Mountains?
Rather than hiking this part of the PCT as a single continuous trip (or thru-hike), I made the unusual decision to take it in sections. My goal was to enjoy each bit of trail to the fullest, rather than racing down the PCT from point A to point B. I hiked many of these miles with my friend, Poledork, and planned to hike the rest solo. Unfortunately, my 2023 PCT plans went awry when Poledork injured herself near Crater Lake (during Part 3), and we needed to head to the nearest hospital.
Those missing miles of the Oregon PCT nagged at me as I moved on to new and different adventures. So, I returned in 2026 to finish up what I started. My day-by-day journal and other related posts are below. Because this PCT hike focuses only on Oregon, my mileage starts at the California border (mile 0) and runs to the Washington border (mile 457) in the northbound direction.
TRAIL JOURNAL
ParT 1: The southern miles (2023)
- Day 1 – Tagging the CA Border (Miles 0 to 12.2)
- Day 2 – Mt. Ashland Magic (Miles 12.2 to 28.4)
- Day 3 – Hobos Under the Bridge (Miles 28.4 to 45.1)
- Day 4 – Horse Camp Detour (Miles 45.1 to 59.5)
- Day 5 – Meet the Euro-bros (Miles 59.5 to 75.5)
- Day 6 – Reunion at Fish Lake (Miles 75.5 to 81.7)
ParT 2: Theilsen & Diamond Peak (2023)
- Day 7 – Thielsen Alpenglow (Miles 139.4 to 161.8)
- Day 8 – Umpqua Memories (Miles 161.8 to 182.5)
- Day 9 – What a Cache (Miles 182.5 to 206.1)
- Day 10 – Mosquito Mayhem (Miles 206.1 to 216.2)
ParT 3: Crater Lake Natl Park (2023)
- Day 11 – Walking the Rim (Miles 139.4 to 129.2)
- Day 12 – Worst Detour Ever! (Miles 129.2 to 118.8)
ParT 4: SKY LAKES WILDERNESS (2026)
- Day 13 – Filling a Missing Gap (Miles 81.7 to 105.5)
- Day 14 – What the Devil?? (Miles 105.5 to 121)
- Day 15 – Tick Fever (Miles 121 to 129.2)
ParT 5: Waldo Lake Wilderness (2026)
- Day 16 – Apocalyptic Wasteland (Miles 216.2 to 236.3)
- Day 17 – Land O’ Lakes (Miles 236.3 to 260.9)
ParT 6: Mt. Jefferson Wilderness (2026)
- Day 18 – Stormy Weather (Miles 309.4 to 332.4)
- Day 19 – Walking in Clouds (Miles 332.4 to 355.5)
- Day 20 – Do You Smell Smoke? (Miles 355.5 to 379.4)
- Day 21 – Green Tunnel (Miles 379.4 to 401.5)
ParT 7: THree Sisters Wilderness (2026)
- Day 22 – The Sisters are Busy (Miles 260.9 to 278.5)
- Day 23 – Obsidian & Lava Rock (Miles 278.5 to 297.1
- Day 24 – Where’s Washington? (Miles 297.1 to 309.4)
ParT 8: Mt Hood Wilderness (2026)
- Day 25 – Timberline Redux (Miles 401.5 – 418.9)
- Day 26 – All the Big Peaks (Miles 418.9 – 440.2))
- Day 27 – Bridge of the Gods (Miles 440.2 – 457)
More Oregon PCT Posts
Why I’m Section Hiking the PCT in Oregon
After returning from walking the Camino del Norte in Spain last October, I announced to my family...
PCT Section Hike Itinerary
Perseverance is not a long race. It is many short races one after another. - Walter Elliot The PCT...
PLANNING Resources
- Pacific Trail Association (PCT info/permits)
- Central Cascades Wilderness Permit (USFS permits)
- FarOut Guide (Navigation App for PCT)
- Trails Illustrated Maps #1004 & #1005 – Oregon PCT Maps
- Hiking the PCT in Oregon (Guidebook)
- Day & Section Hikes on the PCT in Oregon (Guidebook)
