Why water is so important

Water is essential for survival in the backcountry, but it is also one of the heaviest things you will have to carry in your pack. One quart of water weighs in at a whopping 2 lbs! So, it doesn’t make much sense to spend so much time and money reducing your pack weight only to carry too much water and weigh it down again. On the other hand, it’s also not smart to skimp on water just for the sake of reducing pack weight because that’s dangerous.

In this post you will discover where to find accurate water source information for the Pacific Crest Trail, what the best water containers are, how much water to carry between sources and some strategies I use to reduce the amount of water weight in my pack (without sacrificing safety or risking dehydration).

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Pacific Crest Trail Atlas

Pacific Crest Trail Atlas

I created the Pacific Crest Trail Atlas after my ‘07 thru-hike for the purpose of consolidating all of the scattered information available for the Pacific Crest Trail into a single set of lightweight, pocket-sized booklets (including full-color topographic maps). The Pacific Crest Trail Atlas is the perfect book for lightweight thru-hikers and information minimalists who want detailed PCT trail maps, elevation profiles, resupply and water info, town maps and essential trail data – without a bunch of opinions and commentary.

Yogi's PCT Handbook

Yogi’s PCT Handbook

I highly recommend Yogi’s Pacific Crest Trail Handbook for learning about the trail, pre-hike planning and town research. Yogi has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail three times and is very good at teaching you what to expect on the PCT. You won’t find a better “crash course introduction to the Pacific Crest Trail” anywhere. If you are an aspiring thru-hiker or section hiker Yogi’s Planning Guide should be required reading before you start planning a long-distance hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.

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Pacific Crest Trail Southern California Snowpack Map (click to enlarge)

Despite it’s reputation Southern California is not all beaches and deserts. After a heavy winter northbound thru hikers can sometimes expect to encounter snow in the mountains of SoCal as late as May or June.

This elevation map shows the areas on the Southern California Pacific Crest Trail above 5,500 ft where you might encounter heavy snowpack in the Spring following a big winter.

Note: 2010 is already stacking up to be a big snow year in Southern and Central California.

Hiking in Snow:

Here are some tips for how you can be prepared for deep snow on the trail:

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I just finished filling out my permit applications to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail again this year. Here is some information about the various permits you will need to backpack the Pacific Crest Trail:

Thru hiking permit

Thru hikers can get a permit that covers camping in all of the different jurisdictions the Pacific Crest Trail passes through from the Pacific Crest Trail Association. A thru-hiking permit is free to PCTA members. They suggest a $5 donation for non-members. Thru Hiking Permit application (PCTA).

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