The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America's Wilderness Trail

by Mark Larabee, Barney Scout Mann, The Pacific Crest Trail Association (Contributor)

This official book celebrates the history, beauty, and importance of the West Coast’s most iconic hiking trail. Designated as one of the first two national scenic trails in 1968, the Pacific Crest Trail is a continuous footpath of more than 2,650 miles—from the Mexican border to the Canadian border through California, Oregon, and Washington. Hikers from all over the world are drawn to this trail to experience true American wilderness and to challenge themselves—whether for two miles or two thousand.The only illustrated book officially published with the Pacific Crest Trail Association, The Pacific Crest Trail explores this legendary footpath with more than 250 spectacular contemporary images, unpublished historical photos and documents from the PCTA archives, and even the official trail map folded into an inside pocket. This book is perfect for anyone interested in conservation, outdoor recreation, and for all those who dream of one day becoming thru-hikers themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

336 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2016

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history of the organizations and people who have built and maintained the the Pacific Crest Trail for almost 100 years. The last third of the book takes the reader from Mexico to Canada in gorgeous photographs. If you have hiked the trail, dream of hiking it someday or you are just an armchair hiker like me, this book is for you.

[Lin F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coffee table book that’s worth picking up and reading cover to cover. The history and notable people of the trail make up the first half and the second half of the book starts at the southern end of the trail and makes it way towards Canada, documenting all of the wilderness areas that the trail passes through in words and pictures. Beautiful photography throughout.

[Rosebud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've walked bits and pieces of the PCT and consider those who have walked all of it to be very privileged. The stories of those who fought for the trail and who still protect it are an encouragement that we will continue to preserve our natural treasures that can't be rebuilt if destroyed.

I must say shame on the man who wrongly trashed Eric Ryback's completion of the entire PCT, because of his apparent jealousy. That type of behavior is not in keeping with the peace and soul filling experiences that you should get from a creation this magnificent.

The pictures in this book are beautiful and make you want to put on your boots and head west.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've absorbed this new "official" volume of photography, history and stories of the PCT over a period of four months. The PCT is an American treasure. This lovely book makes you want to explore every mile.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book although heavy. Great photographs and the best PCT history seen yet. Nice items on many people who have made PCT what it now is.

[Lael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful and interesting.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Very big. Too big to pack. Good to read at home. A lot of history and beautiful photos. I feel like it skipped a lot of Oregon. The Mount Hood National Forest to be specific.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coffee table book is really nice read.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book full of a lot of interesting stories about getting funding for the trail and building it and all the people that hiked in the 70s before it was finished in 1993 and it had it's mapped out route. And beautiful inspiring photographs. I hope to hike some of it one day.

[Ciara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing pictures!