Pacific Crest Trail Hike Section Review: Northern California
Pacific Crest Trail Hike Section Review: Northern California
Hello all! As I continue to prep for the Appalachian Trail, I can’t help but think about where I was at this time last year for my 2024 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. This has been a great time for reflection and while reflecting, I wanted to share some of the information I wish I had known.
I started the trail on March 22nd, 2024 and arrived at Kennedy Meadows South on May 10th, 2024.
My time the Sierra Nevada section went from May 12th, 2024 - June 11th, 2024.
My time in Northern California lasted from June 14th, 2024 - July 10th, 2024.
I wrote individual section posts that go over mileage day over day (section by section), other statistics, and a narrative. If you are diving head first into what a realistic hike would/could look like, I’ve linked those below for easy access.
Remember that my PCT Northern California Highlights/Lowlights are completely subjective to my experience. No one’s experience will look exactly the same.
I’ve tried to list out as much town information as I remember and can recommend. Please reach out (email and socials below) if you have any specific questions about a location.
I’m so excited for your journey!
Individual Section Posts:
PCT Northern California Highlights:
Entering Northern California after so long in the Sierra Nevada felt like a huge accomplishment.
Knowing most of the folks that I was consistently hiking around.
It felt like summer camp - lots of swimming in rivers and lakes.
Frequent town stops made resupply stretches much shorter than in the Sierra Nevada.
Crossing the halfway mark and the Oregon border!
PCT Northern California Lowlights:
Long days hiking in the heat and burn zones were uncomfortable. Some of the blow down areas alone were an acrobatic feat unto themselves.
Wildfires began popping up which added logistical challenges in addition to health concerns.
Thank you to the forest service workers, first responders, and all the communities helping hikers even though their home lives were sometimes at risk.
Poor planning on my part in relation to the life of my shoes.
Town Stops in Northern California
Here I’ve outlined all of the town stops I made while in Northern California and included things I would recommend. If you see something on here missing, i.e. accommodation or a restaurant, it is because I do not recommend it and therefore will not be mentioning it.
There are other towns in Northern California, but these are the ones that I stopped at - but you have more options! It ranged from a double zero to a quick in and out in the same day in a few of these places.
Towns
Lake Tahoe (Section J/K):
Transportation: Arrived there from northbound trail, then had a ride into town. A friend then also took the group back to the trailhead.
Accommodation: There are so many hotels and neat accommodations. I stayed at the Station Hour Inn and it was wonderful.
Resupply: Plenty of resupply stops and proper grocery stores. There are also several gear shops. This is where I was able to get some new clothes because I no longer fit into some of mine.
Laundry: A few laundromats in town - I used Mountain Fresh at Ski Run and it was the nicest laundry spot on the entire trail.
Donner Ski Ranch (Section L)
Accommodation: There are dorm rooms that are typically used for skiers in the winter, but hikers in the summer.
Food: There is a restaurant on site that offers thru-hikers free beer.
Laundry: Laundry comes with the dorm accommodations.
Sierra City (Section L/M)
Transportation: Walked the < 2 mile road walk into town.
Post Office: Centrally located, easily accessible. Make sure you check the days they are open and hours.
Resupply: The general store there is stocked and targeted towards hikers. General store also accepts resupply boxes.
Quincy (Section M)
Transportation: Hitched in, took awhile as it is a decently long ride from Bucks Lake area to town. Back to the trail also took awhile as it was a Sunday morning and everyone was heading to church.
Accommodation: Stayed at trail angel, Pounders, house. Contact information on FarOut.
Food: The Toy Store has ice cream for hikers! The brewery was also good.
Chester (Section N)
Transportation: Hitched to and from town.
Food: Cravings was one of the best meals I had on the entire trail!
Post Office: Centrally located, easy to access in town.
Laundry: Laundromat was also centrally located.
Old Station (Section N)
Accommodation: You are allowed to camp behind the gas station. As glamorous as it sounds.
Burney (Section N)
Accommodation: Burney Mountain Guest Ranch was a trail highlight!
Food: The guest ranch serves some meals, but the town of Burney was limited.
Resupply: The town of Burney had a proper grocery store and a small gear shop for resupply.
Post Office: BMGR accepts packages ($)
Laundry: Comes free with the stay at the ranch!
Dunsmuir (Section O/P)
Transportation: Reached out to Trail Angel Grumpy (find on FarOut) to and from town.
Post Office: Centrally located, easy to access in town.
Etna (Section P/Q)
Transportation: Trail angel gave ride into town because of fires, skipped up to Seiad Valley with another trail angel in Etna.
Accommodation: Camped at the city park! It had proper bathrooms and ample space. Watch out for the sprinkler schedule.
Food: Etna Brewing Company was amazing. Great food and drinks!
Post Office: Centrally located, easy to access in town.
Seiad Valley (Section Q/R)
Transportation: Had a trail angel drop us off because the section of trail from Etna to Seiad Valley was closed. This is not typical - the trail leads directly to Seiad Valley.
Resupply: The store does cater to hikers so there are some good treats.
Post Office: There but limited hours - I did not use this because of the fire work arounds.
Advice to new hikers:
Enjoy yourself even in the hot, sticky, uncomfortable moments. You may never be dirtier in your life.
Hydrate properly amidst the heat.
Listen to the Forest Service and PCTA in relation to how to handle wildfires.
Continue to connect with your community of hikers and trail angels. Be kind to the communities you are going into.
Try cowboy camping!
Remember your ‘Why’.
Here are some of my favorite Northern California memories in photos below.
xoxo Kanga/Leeann
