Pacific Crest Trail

California

Caution todayCalifornia
Caution today

Free — you'll pick up right here.

12.2 mi

Distance

6,022 ft

Gain

5h 56m

Time

Conditions: Caution

for hike, today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 19 h ago · oldest 20 h

  • caution: Agency alerts

    21 active alerts in Tahoe National Forest; most severe: Floriston Fire Closure

    USFSPosted Oct 6 · checked 20 h ago

  • clear: Weather

    Clear, high 61°F / low 61°F, 0% precip — 100/100 for hike

    OpenWeather19 h ago

Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.

Why you'll love it

Big climb
Out & back

Here's your day, mapped

Pacific Crest Trail

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Elevation & route

Distance
12.2 mi
Elevation gain
6,022 ft
Elevation loss
6,022 ft
Highest point
7,443 ft
Lowest point
4,605 ft
More about this trail ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Get Directions

Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this trail

The Pacific Crest Trail is a 24.34-mile out-and-back trail in California with 6,022 feet of elevation gain and loss. The route reaches a maximum elevation of 7,443 feet.

Facts about this trail

The climb

Starts at
4,681 ft
High point
7,443 ft
Total climbing
6,022 ft
Total descent
6,022 ft
Steepest stretch
33% grade around mile 1.2 on the way out
Length (round trip)
24 mi
Shape
Out and back

Most of the climbing comes early, so the second half is easier.

Source: Roamze elevation profile and trail geometry (DEM samples along the mapped route)

When to go

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Sagehen Creek, CA weather station, 22 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan40° high15° low
  2. Feb41° high15° low
  3. Mar48° high19° low
  4. Apr53° high22° low
  5. May62° high28° low
  6. Jun72° high32° low
  7. Jul80° high37° low
  8. Aug79° high35° low
  9. Sep73° high31° low
  10. Oct61° high24° low
  11. Nov49° high20° low
  12. Dec39° high14° low

The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this spot, so expect it to run cooler up here.

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Tahoe National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

Add to a trip & share

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Guided trips nearby

Local operatorsoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Alpenglow Expeditions

Hiking business nearby (~33 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator