Journal

Walking the Spine of the West: A Thru-Hiker’s Perspective on the Pacific Crest Trail

There are few adventures that test the body, awaken the spirit, and reshape the soul like the Pacific Crest Trail. Stretching 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, this legendary long-distance hike snakes through California, Oregon, and Washington—across arid deserts, snow-covered passes, volcanic ridgelines, and endless green forests. But for a thru-hiker, it’s more than a line on a map—it’s a five-month odyssey that alters your sense of time, place, and self.