Crowned as one of the first two National Scenic Trails in 1968, the Pacific Crest Trail is the most trodden path of the West. While completing the full, 2-650-mile long trail would take months, you’ll only go through a 30-mile portion of it over the course of four days. There’s hardly a more scenic setting for learning the basics of backpacking than Oregon’s backcountry: temperate rainforests lush with blueberries and huckleberries, meadows flooded with wildflowers, crystalline lakes, and the celestial Mt. Hood volcano. Traverse this iconic path running over mountainous stretches and bring your days to an end by setting up your own camp, followed by a dip in the lake. If, however, you’d prefer the company of like-minded adventurous women, check out our all-women backpacking tour through the Pacific Crest Trail.
One of the 11 National Scenic Trails
Backcountry 101 — learn the basics of living in the wilderness
Scenic path: lush rainforests, vibrant wildflowers, alpine lakes
Get a taste of the Pacific Crest Trail, a footpath along West Coast’s backbone, and learn the ropes of backpacking along the way. Over the course of 4 days, you’ll hike through a 30-mile portion of the Cascade’s subdued volcanic landscape with a stellar view of Oregon’s largest and most active volcano: Mt. Hood. Apart from gaining crucial skills for backpacking in the wilderness, you’ll have plenty of time to relax in the lake, smell the wildflowers, and pick blueberries.
Meet your guide and the rest of your group at your guide’s office. You’ll get transported to the trailhead. Your PCT adventure begins!
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Although the Pacific Crest Trail stretches from Mexico to Canada, you’ll only be doing a 25-40-mile portion of it (40-48 km). Enjoy the views of Mt. Hood as you traverse lush temperate rainforests, and take a dip in the lake upon reaching your campsite for the night. Your guides will teach you the basics of backpacking: preparation and planning, wilderness survival essentials, Leave No Trace principles, campsite selection and setup, backcountry nutrition, bear-safe food storage methods, and more!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Tread the last few miles of the trail until you reach the point where you can get transported back to the city. Say goodbye to your guide and your team. If you’d like to stay a bit longer in the area, just ask your guides for some recommendations!
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Oregon, please refer to Oregon’s COVID-19 resources and updates.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
No experience necessary—this is a beginner-friendly backpacking trip through a selected part of the Pacific Crest Trail! Your guides will teach you everything you need to know about backpacking. However, you need to be in good shape as you’ll be hiking up to 12 miles/ 19.5 km a day up moderate inclines while carrying a 40 lb/ 18 km (or an even heavier) backpack. Make sure you’re physically fit enough to keep up this tempo for four days.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Of course! You’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and pad, and if you don’t have your own, there are plenty of rental companies in Portland—the starting point of your tour. You can rent from LowerGear Rentals, Mountain Shop, Portland Paddle, or any other rental company in Portland. Make sure you make arrangements in time. Contact us if you need any help!
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
If you’re looking to join an all-women version of this trip, check out our all-women backpacking along the Pacific Crest Trail.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your trip cost.
To get to Portland, Oregon, most people fly into Portland International Airport (PDX). From there, you have a 15-minute drive to your guide’s office in Troutdale.
You’ll meet your guide and your fellow backpackers at the guide’s office, 121 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060. Their office entrance is located below and behind the storefronts in downtown Troutdale. Turn left off the main street immediately after the “Gateway to the Gorge” arch to access the lower parking lot.
