Well, the PCT is over. Like, really over. It’s been just about a month since we stepped off trail and made a re-entrance into the civilized world. This has given me some time to reflect on the trail and think about it more objectively in terms of comparing it to the Appalachian and Continental Divide Trails.
So, what did I think? Well, first some stats.
And now on to my thoughts. The PCT is one amazing trail. Qball and I had a long discussion recently about which trail was “the best” trail, and we both concluded that it was probably impossible to answer it, as each trail has it’s own distinct flavor and offers unique experiences that can be appropriate for the type of walk you are looking for. The following are the best aspects of each trail, in my opinion:
PCT (Northbound):
- Overall the easiest trail physically
- Consistently the most scenic
- Great trail community
- Fantastic social experience (a lot of different people from all walks of life and countries)
- Easy to navigate
- The High Sierra are amazing
- Pretty much all of Washington is amazing
- Largest variety of ecosystems
AT (Southbound):
- Fantastic and frequent town stops
- Offers Solitude if you want after the northbound crowd has passed
- Provides a great intimate social experience with other Southbound hikers
- The Fall Foliage Season is absolutely stunning in the south
- Has many interesting historic areas that the trail passes through and near
- Easiest trail to navigate
- Large weather window so you never feel rushed
- The New England states are Amazing (especially Maine and New Hampshire)
- Shelters and lean to’s every few miles give the trail great character
CDT (Southbound):
- Totally epic scale compared to the other trails
- Offers immense solitude and reflection
- Offers the best true wilderness experience
- The best and varied wildlife (deer, elk, antelope, grizzly, black bear, moose, wild horses)
- Colorado is the best state (in my opinion of course) to hike through in terms of scale and scenery- the Colorado Rockies are world class. It also has some of the best trail towns and micro breweries as well.
- Glacier National Park is a gem and perhaps the best National Park I’ve been to.
- The Wind River Range in Wyoming is like a mini Sierra and is absolutely breathtaking.
- The CDT offers the biggest and most awe inspiring overall adventure.
And now, on to the negatives of each:
PCT (Northbound):
- Trail and towns can often feel overcrowded with other thru-hikers. This is especially annoying when all accommodations are booked once you reach town. This happened on several occasions.
- The heat in the desert and northern California can be overbearing
- The wind is often quite bad in the desert
- The mosquitoes can be horrendous in Yosemite and parts of Oregon (deet or long sleeved clothes as well as a bug net are essential)
- Shallow weather window as Washington begins to be problematic mid-September
AT (Southbound):
- Views and scenery are monotonous and often not very spectacular (with the exception of Maine and NH) when compared to the other trails
- Monotonous walking through mostly hard wood forest
- Very physically challenging hiking (many steep ups and downs with lots of rocks and roots)
- Cold nights nearing the end of October and into November
- Can have quite a bit of rain
CDT (Southbound):
- Incredibly challenging hiking both physically and route finding. Although GPS helps, having competent map and compass skills are very necessary.
- Very remote in places which increases the risk level if an accident were to happen.
- Very cold weather in Colorado with snow during September and early October.
- Fewest town stops of any trail with some very long sections of trail between resupply points and “real” towns
- Lots of road walking where established trail does not exist. The CDT is still very much a “work in progress”, at least when we hiked in 2013. It may be different now but unlikely to have changed much.
- The weather is very challenging. From rain to exposed thunderstorms at elevation to snow. It has it all, sometimes all in one day!
With all that being said, I would probably hike all the trails again at some point, perhaps when I’m a little older. They are all awesome and have taught me a variety of lessons that I will draw on for as long as I’m on this earth. If I were to do each again, I would probably hike each in the opposite directions to get a slightly different experience and point of view.
If someone asked, “Hey, Dom, if I only wanted to do one thru-hike, which would you recommend?” I would not hesitate to recommend the PCT. Overall, it offers a truly great experience that someone with limited prior hiking experience could complete.