Oregon is where PCT thru-hikers make up time.
Trekkers who’ve braved the Southern California desert and conquered the High Sierra arrive in Oregon, the shortest and easiest of the PCT’s three states, looking to put up big numbers. Aside from a 3,160-foot drop into the Columbia River Gorge on the Washington border, Oregon doesn’t offer much elevation change; the highest trail point in the state is just 7,560 feet.
Hikers who averaged 15 miles a day in California have been known to post 30-mile days in Oregon. The Beaver State is so known as the PCT section to blaze through that Backpacker magazine issued a challenge to thru-hikers: “Take your time in Oregon.”
The Oregonian and Halfway Anywhere offer their takes on the best day- or section-hikes in Oregon.
Peanut is looking forward to Oregon because it offers something new.
Aside from the 27 miles she hiked SOBO after flip-flopping, “I’ve never hiked any of the Oregon part. It will all be new to me,” Peanut said. “Also, I’m curious as to how many miles I can push it per day in Oregon since (it has) much less elevation change.
“(I’m) excited to be a NOBO again.”
Peanut, who has about 176 miles of the Sierra to finish before returning to the PCT near Ashland, Ore., will begin her remaining 428 Oregon miles the first week of August. After that she will have just Washington’s 495 trail miles to go.
Peanut plans to start her Kennedy Meadows-to-VVR trek on July 23 or 24.
Peanut on the PCT 