Pacific Crest Trail
2023 & 2026
Oregon
– Section Hiking the PCT through Oregon –
PCT Miles in Oregon
Miles in 2023
Miles in 2026
% Complete
About thIS Section Hike
Back in 2021, I thru-hiked Oregon’s coastline via the Oregon Coast Trail. The unique biodiversity of my home state astounded me during that hike. So it’s no surprise that I wanted to hike the Oregon section of the PCT to explore the state’s rich volcanic history along the backbone of the Cascade Mountains.
Rather than hiking this 455-mile stretch of the PCT as a single continuous trip (or thru-hike), I opted to take it in sections. The goal was to enjoy each bit of trail to its fullest, rather than racing down the PCT from point A to point B.
Many of the miles were hiked with my friend, Poledork, while others were hiked 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 455) in the northbound direction.
TRAIL JOURNAL
ParT 1: CA Border — Fish Lake (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: Crater Lake — ODell Lake (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 SOBO (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: Odell Lake — Elk Lake (2026)
- Day 16 – Apocalyptic Wasteland (Miles 216.2 to 236.3)
- Day 17 – Land O’ Lakes (Miles 236.3 to 260.9)
ParT 6: Santiam Pass – Mt. Hood (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: The Missing Miles
- Coming soon!
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...
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)
