With snowpack in some areas measuring at as little as 4 p.c of regular, hikers tackling the Pacific Crest Path in 2026 can count on straightforward going within the Sierra—however doubtlessly critical disruptions from wildfires and dry water sources.
Up to date April 18, 2026 06:58PM
After we discovered in 2023 that Backpacker contributor David Gleisner was planning a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Path, we requested him to chronicle his expertise as our correspondent. California was popping out of a record-setting snow 12 months, and lots of the tales he despatched to us had been about hikers navigating the aftermath of it, from teams making an attempt to posthole their method by way of deep snow within the Sierra or path angels utilizing personal planes to fly different hikers round it.
Three years later, the western U.S. is within the grip of a completely totally different type of excessive climate. After an unprecedented heat winter, California is deep in drought, with some areas that may usually nonetheless have a number of ft of snow reporting no measurable accumulation. Likewise, hikers planning on strolling the backbone of the West Coast this 12 months will face a completely totally different set of challenges. Right here, David breaks down what aspiring PCT hikers ought to know. Discover extra in his full report right here. —Adam Roy, Editor-in-Chief
Transcript
Check out the present snowpack map of the West Coast and also you’ll see a complete lot of pink. The Klamath Basin in Northern California is at present at simply 4% of its 30-year median, and the remainder of the West Coast isn’t very a lot better. After a low snow 12 months and a traditionally sizzling spring, right here’s what this might imply for PCT hikers.
My title is David Gleisner and I hiked the Pacific Crest Path in 2023, a document excessive snow 12 months. Secure to say, this 12 months goes to be totally different. Snowpack is melting rapidly, rivers are peaking early, and wildfires might be critically disruptive into the summer season.
The great a part of a low snow 12 months is simple entry to the excessive nation of the Sierra, however there are some drawbacks as properly. In preparation for low stream ranges and doubtlessly dry water sources on dry parts of the path, hikers ought to all the time be certain to carry sufficient water. On sizzling days, hikers lose a median of 1 liter of fluids per hour, so plan accordingly.
With the potential for prime wildfire danger, hikers ought to all the time be certain to examine climate forecasts for thunderstorms and different situations that would set off fires, along with checking incident logs in California, Oregon, and Washington. Should you encounter excessive river ranges or whitewater, you’ll want to all the time use correct river crossing procedures.
Right here’s to hoping for a secure and profitable season on the PCT. Comfortable trails.
