The Pacific Crest Trail: California [Paperback]

Jeffrey P. Schaffer (Editor), Ben Schifrin (Author), Thomas Winnett (Author), Ruby Johnson Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pacific Crest Trail | Publication Date: July 1995

The authoritative guide for planning a trip along the California section of the Pacific Crest Trail. This is the first of two books in our Pacific Crest Trail series. Both have complete 2-color topographic maps and comprehensive descriptions, including mileages and elevations. Trail descriptions and maps are divided into several sections, convenient for people who only want to hike a portion of the trail. Each section introduces up-coming scenery, possible hazards, supply locations, and mileages between major points. Includes information on the history of the trail as well as the geology and natural history you will encounter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This new edition of the Pacific Crest Trail handbook covers the California portion alone, outlining all 1723 miles of trail in California and representing a new attention to bringing maps up to date. All maps show the trail where it really is, in contrast to U. S. Geological survey maps, and dividing the trail into 18 sections allows hikers to begin and end at selected roads. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 525 pages
• Publisher: Wilderness Pr; 5 edition (July 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899971784
• ISBN-13: 978-0899971780
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Education & Reference > Atlases & Maps > Canada

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your Best Trail Friend, May 1, 2000

By 

"zc48" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pacific Crest Trail: California (Paperback)

I have used this book since 1980 to hike all or part of the PCT. It can make or break your trip. The most important info is where to find water. Some souces are difficult to find, but this book will lead you to it. The amount of info,maps, water, landmarks, milage,trail conditions, suppy points, etc., make this book a must on any hike along the PCT. If you don't have it with you, you're a lost soul.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Quintessential Bible for PCT Hikers, November 15, 2000

By 

Mike MacFerrin (Baton Rouge, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pacific Crest Trail: California (Paperback)

This book, along with its Oregon-Washington Second Volume, is a MUST-read for anyone planning their own trip along all or part of the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail guide provides a wealth of information such as mileage, water-stops, trail conditions, tips, maps, and even locations (including addresses!) of post-offices and other along-the trail stop-overs for re-supply. PCT hikers often carry this book with them in their packs and reference it often. More weight-conscious thru-hikers will cut or tear the book apart into sections (it's conveniently divided into a long series of trail sections between stop-overs) and ship the abbreviated guides back to themselves at towns along the journey.

Combining years of research and tens of thousands of miles of first-hand trail experience, the authors have done an outstanding job in allowing future backpackers access to the information they need to plan their own epic adventures. The book usually comes with an pamphlet included to keep you posted on any updates and changes to the trail since the book's latest release (which I believe there have been six such releases since its initial publication in '73).

I'm planning my own thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and after much of my own extensive research through countless other books and guides, I still come back to this one for the information I need to plan my own greatest adventure to date. Be sure the check the Oregon & Washington volume of the guide as well, written by the same authors in the exact same format.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't beat this guide, February 23, 2004

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pacific Crest Trail: California (Paperback)

I enjoy all of the Schaffer books because they are accurate, fun to read and reliable. This book has little chapters on the PCT, and the descriptions of each part of the trail are a total delight. So often these hiking books neglect to tell you how to reach the trailhead and oftentimes they don't provide detailed instructions (I mean this for section or day hikers of the PCT). Schaffer never makes this mistake. You will not need a separate map to locate any of the sections of the trail, his maps and written instructions are first-rate. In fact, there is even a nifty fold-out map sewn into the rear pocket so you can tote it along on any of your journeys. Equally interesting is that this book doesn't merely give elevation gains, difficulty ratings and desriptions of the trail conditions. These are vital to know, but Schaffer also includes little bits of information of what kinds of wild flowers you will encounter, birds, wildlife and other little nuggets neglected in other guides.

The book is supposed to be mainly for thru-hikers of the PCT, but there are many trails here that can be used for day hikes. These trips will be in the 10-16 mile range and any strong hiker can easily do these hikes in one day. If you do choose to go the entire PCT, Schaffer describes water sources, camping sites and addresses whether bears or marmots might be a problem for you. Most importantly, he tells you where to find water and whether the water source is reliable throughout the whole year.

I can't recommend this guide highly enough. Even if you're an armchair hiker, you'll derive many hours of vicarious joy from this guide.