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54-493: The Bridge Fire burned in an area with little to no recent fire history. Two prior wet winters contributed to the growth of vegetation in the fire area. Weather conditions, including gusty southwest winds and low relative humidity, led to a Red Flag Warning to be issued and allowed for rapid fire growth. The Bridge Fire is burned simultaneously with the 39,232-acre (15,877 ha) Line Fire in San Bernardino County and

108-662: A State of Emergency in San Bernardino County, authorizing the use of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Also rain helped the Line Fire on September 7-8, 2024, with combination of rain and smoke. The California National Guard was deployed, including four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, two C-130 aircraft, hand crews, and one military police company to assist with evacuations. On September 29th,

162-590: A 90-minute movie and showed it around 12 western states for 10 years. The Murray family (Barry, Bernice, Barry Jr. and Bernadette) completed the trek on horseback on October 7, 1970. In 2008, an agreement for realignment through Tejon Ranch in Southern California was reached. This realignment would relocate 37 miles of the PCT from the Mojave Desert floor to the more scenic Tehachapi Mountains. While an agreement

216-484: A cave from the weather. On August 10, 2014, Joseph McConaughy of Shoreline, Washington , set a new supported speed record and the overall fastest known time for the PCT. The distance was covered in 53 days, 6 hours, and 37 minutes. This surpassed the previous record of 59 days, 8 hours, 14 minutes, set by Josh Garret on August 8, 2013, by more than 6 days. Joe was supported by a team of three hikers, Jordan Hamm, Michael Dillon, and Jack Murphy. McConaughy's record

270-662: A dedicated pedestrian/equestrian lane to the Bridge of the Gods across the Columbia River. Currently, PCT hikers and equestrians must cross the bridge walking in vehicle traffic lanes—a potential danger which the new lane will eliminate. The completion date for this project is unknown. The following notable locations are found along or adjacent to the route of the Pacific Crest Trail. They are listed from south to north to correspond with

324-572: A proclamation of a local emergency in San Bernardino County. On Wednesday, September 11, 480 firefighting personnel were assigned to the Bridge Fire and California governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation of a state of emergency in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. By September 12, the fire burned 51,792 acres (20,959 ha) and was zero percent contained. Three percent of the fire perimeter

378-423: A second round trip on November 28, 2006, cutting two weeks off his 2004 time. In 2014, Olive McGloin (from Ireland) became the first woman to thru-hike the PCT both ways in a single continuous round-trip. The youngest person to hike the trail is Christian Thomas Geiger, who at the age of 6 completed the trail with his parents Andrea Rego and Dion Pagonis. Christian, also known by his trail name Buddy Backpacker,

432-409: A time of 51 days, 16 hours and 55 minutes, fifteen and a half hours faster than Sabbe's time. Olson was crewed by a small group of family and friends. On August 26, 2023, Karel Sabbe took back his record with a time of 46 days, 12 hours and 56 minutes, more than five days faster than Olson's time. Don and June Mulford made the first verifiable equestrian Thru-Ride of the PCT in 1959. In that year

486-642: Is a large active wildfire in San Bernardino County , Southern California. The fire began on September 5, 6:33 PM near the community of Highland and spread into the San Bernardino National Forest . The fire has forced the evacuation of multiple communities. On September 10, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department identified and arrested 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg, a resident of Norco , on suspicion of starting

540-399: Is a term used in referring to hikers who complete long-distance trails from end to end in a single trip. Thru-hiking is a long commitment, usually taking between four and six months, that requires thorough preparation and dedication. The Pacific Crest Trail Association estimates that it takes most hikers between six and eight months to plan, train, and get ready for their trips. It is estimated

594-640: Is also part of the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop . The route is mostly through National Forest and protected wilderness . It also passes through seven national parks: Kings Canyon, Sequoia, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake, Mt. Rainier, and North Cascades. The trail avoids civilization and covers scenic and pristine mountainous terrain with few roads. It passes through the Laguna , Santa Rosa , San Jacinto , San Bernardino , San Gabriel , Liebre , Tehachapi , Sierra Nevada , and Klamath ranges in California , and

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648-591: The Bridge of the Gods on the Oregon–Washington border to 13,153 feet (4,009 m) at Forester Pass in the Sierra Nevada. The route passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks. Its midpoint is near Chester, California (near Mt. Lassen ), where the Sierra and Cascade mountain ranges meet. The overall elevation gain for the Pacific Crest Trail is approximately 489,000 ft (149,000 m). It

702-982: The Cascade Range in California , Oregon , and Washington . The Pacific Crest Trail was first proposed around 1932 by Clinton C. Clarke as a trail running from Mexico to Canada along the crest of the mountains in California, Oregon, and Washington. The original proposal was to link the John Muir Trail , the Tahoe–Yosemite Trail (both in California), the Skyline Trail (in Oregon) and the Cascade Crest Trail (in Washington). The Pacific Crest Trail System Conference

756-567: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on September 10. FEMA granted the request at 9:18 p.m. Los Angeles County supervisor Lindsey Horvath signed a declaration of a local emergency. On October 7, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion establishing multiple task forces for Economic Recovery, Watershed Hazard Assessment, Health and Social Services, Debris Removal and Rebuild, and Natural and Cultural Resources. Line Fire The Line Fire

810-571: The Redlands Municipal Airport was closed to non-emergency aircraft. It was later reopened on September 20th. On October 1, the Big Bear City Airport was closed on to non-fire-fighting aircraft due to increased fire activity. It has since reopened. On September 7th CAL FIRE issued a warning against flying UAS ( Unmanned Aircraft Systems ) in or around wildfires, reporting that there had been two separate drone incursions into

864-1104: The San Antonio Dam and Mount Baldy Resort . By that night, the fire had burned 2,995 acres (1,212 ha). Firefighters were concentrated on halting any southward progression of the fire, and protecting homes in the East Fork San Gabriel River area. On Tuesday, September 10, the fire "exploded" to the north and northeast and grew considerably, from about 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) to more than 34,000 acres (14,000 ha) within hours. It continued to grow overnight, burning an additional 13,000 acres (5,300 ha) on its northern and eastern flanks as firefighters prioritized protecting buildings in Wrightwood , Piñon Hills , and Mount Baldy Village. Thousands of people fled those communities, and some reported receiving no evacuation warning before being forced to leave immediately. That day, Luther Snoke, Director of Emergency Services and Chief Executive Officer of San Bernardino County, issued

918-456: The Triple Crown of Hiking , becoming the youngest person ever to do so. Teddi Boston hiked from Canada to Mexico on the PCT in 1976 at the age of 49. She was one of the first women to hike the trail alone. An autobiographical account of a woman hiking a portion of the PCT alone in 1995 at age 26 was written by Cheryl Strayed . Her memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

972-466: The "yo-yo" circuit on his fourth attempt in November 2004. Williamson traveled a total of 5,300 miles (8,530 km) in 197 days, covering an average of 35 to 40 miles (56 to 64 km) per day when not in snow – an overall average of 27 miles (43 km) per day – wearing an extremely ultra-lightweight pack , which "without food, weighed about 8.5 pounds (3.9 kg)". Williamson then went on to complete

1026-502: The 23,519-acre (9,518 ha) Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside Counties. The three concurrent wildfires strained the capacities of Southern California fire agencies, leading them to request additional resources from Northern California and other states. The Bridge Fire began at 2:12 p.m. PDT on Sunday, September 8, 2024. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Bridge Fire ignited near Cattle Canyon Bridge, for which it

1080-629: The Line Fire the previous day. As of October 24th, there have been 4 confirmed damaged structures, 1 confirmed destroyed structures, and 6 confirmed injuries. Pacific Crest Trail The Pacific Crest Trail ( PCT ), officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail , is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, which lie 100 to 150 miles (160 to 240 km) east of

1134-464: The Mexico–US border. The oldest person to thru-hike the trail is not fully established, with multiple competing claims. On August 7, 2013, Heather "Anish" Anderson of Bellingham, Washington , set the self-supported speed record. She completed the PCT in 60 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes, beating the previous record by almost 4 days. She documented this journey in her book Thirst . In 2018 she became

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1188-667: The PCT became an official trail, Martin Papendick was the first known person to hike across three states of the PCT in 1952. After being one of the first to finish the Appalachian Trail in 1951, Papendick hiked between July 4 and December 1, 1952, from British Columbia to the Mexico–US border over the crests of the mountains along the Pacific Coast, a feat he reported in a periodical under the title "Pacific Crest Trails". On October 16, 1970, Eric Ryback, an 18-year-old student, completed

1242-470: The PCT was officially declared finished. The Trust for Public Land has purchased and conserved more than 3,000 acres (12 km ) along the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington. Consolidation of this land has allowed for better recreational access as well as greater ease to manage conservation lands. A bicycle touring route has been developed to parallel the PCT on paved and unpaved roads. Thru-hiking

1296-456: The PCT, Ryback sued for $ 3 million but withdrew the suit after Wilderness Press revealed statements from the people who claim to have picked up the young hiker along highways parallel to the 2,600-mile trail. Ryback is in Smithsonian's top 9 list of people Cheating Their Way to Fame though it notes that "the claims that Ryback 'cheated' are still doubted by some". Richard Watson, who completed

1350-512: The PCT. Ryback carried an 80-pound pack on his 1970 thru-hike. He had only five resupply packages on the entire trip and was loaded with 40 pounds of food at the start of each leg. He often ran out of food and foraged or went hungry. Ryback also helped the Forest Service lay out future plans for the PCT. However, Ryback's claim is disputed. When the guidebook publisher Wilderness Press stated that Ryback had used motor transport in places along

1404-504: The Pacific Crest Trail stretched a poorly-marked 2,400 miles from Mexico to Canada. More concept than footpath, the trail was an oft-broken, high-ridge track disappearing regularly from map and terrain. On April 19, 1959, on an empty scrub sage plain seven miles east of Tijuana, with four horses, Don and June Mulford began their journey north to the Washington–Canada border. The Mulfords went to Hollywood for three months immediately after

1458-663: The San Gabriel Mountains. Twelve miles (19 km) of the Pacific Crest Trail between Vincent Gap and Wright Mountain burned, as did portions of the Bridge to Nowhere trail, the Old Mount Baldy Trail, the Bear Canyon Trail, and others. The state of California requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant—which allows the federal government to cover a certain percentage of eligible firefighting costs—from

1512-514: The Sierra Nevada is high in early June and low in the Northern Cascades, some hikers may choose to 'flip-flop.' Flip-flopping can take many forms but often describes a process whereby a hiker begins at one end (on the PCT, usually the southern end) of the trail and then, at some point, like reaching the Sierra, 'flips' to the end of the trail at the Canada–US border and hikes southbound to complete

1566-519: The Sierra too soon nor the Northern Cascades too late. Most hikers cover about 20 miles (32 km) per day. In order to reduce their hiking time and thereby increase their chances of completing the trail, many hikers try to substantially reduce their pack weight. Since the creation of the Pacific Crest Trail there has been a large movement by hikers to get away from large heavy packs with a lot of gear. There are three general classifications for hikers: Traditional, Lightweight, and Ultralight . Before

1620-797: The U.S. Pacific coast. The trail's southern terminus is next to the Mexico–United States border , just south of Campo, California , and its northern terminus is on the Canada–US border , upon which it continues unofficially to the Windy Joe Trail within Manning Park in British Columbia ; it passes through the states of California , Oregon , and Washington . The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,653 mi (4,270 km) long and ranges in elevation from roughly 110 feet (34 m) above sea level near

1674-617: The World Unified School District closed campuses to students. Redlands Unified School District and Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District closed all campuses to both students and staff. These closures would be extended through the end of the week on (Friday, September 13th). San Bernardino Community College District closed both of their campuses September 9th-13th, 2024, and the University of Redlands temporarily transitioned all classes online. On September 9th,

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1728-421: The average completion rate is around 14%. While most hikers travel from the southern terminus at the Mexico–US border northward to Manning Park, British Columbia, some hikers prefer a southbound route. In a normal weather year, northbound hikes are most practical due to snow and temperature considerations. Additionally, some hiker services are seasonal and may be better timed for northbound hikers. If snowpack in

1782-548: The course of the fire; according to the Forest Service, none of the injuries were major. The fire prompted evacuation orders for the communities of Camp Williams, River Community, Wrightwood, and Mount Baldy. The Bridge Fire destroyed at least 81 buildings and damaged 19 more: 20 homes were lost in Mount Baldy Village, three homes were lost in Wrightwood, and six cabins burned in the mountain wilderness. The fire also burned

1836-812: The early morning of September 6, 2024. By September 7, 2024, evacuation orders would be placed for neighborhoods along the foothills, extending into San Bernardino , and for neighborhoods east of Calle Del Rio. Over the following days the mountain communities of Green Valley Lake , Cedar Glen , Lake Arrowhead , Crestline , Valley of Enchantment, and Big Bear Valley were placed under evacuation warnings. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Running Springs , Arrowbear Lake , Angelus Oaks , Seven Oaks , Forest Falls , and Mountain Home Village . The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an advisory on September 6th, warning of health impacts in areas affected by windblown smoke. On September 9th, Rim of

1890-644: The fire on September 5. As of October 31, 2024 , the Line Fire remains at 43,978 acres (17,797 hectares) and is still 98 percent contained. The cause of the fire is believed to be arson. It began during a multiple-day heatwave in Southern California. Downtown Los Angeles reached 112 °F (44 °C), the third time that temperature had been reached since 1877. The Line Fire ignited on September 5th at around 6:00 p.m. PST along Baseline Road, near its intersection with Alpin Street in East Highlands . The fire

1944-606: The fire saw a large flare up as it burned through the Bear Creek and Santa Ana River drainages. The increase in fire activity prompted evacuation orders for the communities of Seven Oaks and Angelus Oaks . As of October 31, 2024 , the fire remains at 43,978 acres (17,797 hectares) and is still 98 percent contained. The Line Fire has led to mandatory evacuation orders for more than 500 homes. Initial evacuation warnings were issued for neighborhoods in East Highland in

1998-626: The first PCT thru-hike. His personal congratulations came by telegram from Edward P. Cliff, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Ryback is credited, recognized, and has been honored by the Pacific Crest Trail Association as the official first thru-hiker of the entire trail. Ryback completed the Appalachian Trail in 1969 (as a 16-year-old); the Pacific Crest Trail in 1970; and a route approximating today's Continental Divide Trail in 1972. Ryback's 1971 book The High Adventure of Eric Ryback: Canada to Mexico on Foot focused public attention on

2052-510: The first woman to complete the Triple Crown of Hiking in a single calendar year. Exactly nine years later, on August 7, 2022, Josh Perry improved upon the self-supported speed record, completing the PCT in 55 days, 16 hours and 54 minutes. In 2023, Nick Folwer set a new self-supported record of 52 days, 9 hours and 18 minutes. While he was in the Sierra Nevada , Hurricane Hilary hit California, and he needed to spend 41 hours sheltering in

2106-607: The initial concept of the Pacific Crest Trail have been explored and she is known as the "Mother of the Pacific Crest Trail". In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson defined the PCT and the Appalachian Trail with the National Trails System Act . The PCT was then constructed through cooperation between the federal government and volunteers organized by the Pacific Crest Trail Association . In 1993,

2160-413: The prior night due to the smoke hampering visibility. By September 19, the fire burned 54,795 acres (22,175 ha). Containment reached 49% with progress continuing as two evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings and one evacuation warning was lifted. By Thursday, September 26, the fire had burned 54,878 acres (22,208 ha) acres and was 97 percent contained. Eight firefighters were injured in

2214-561: The ride and were featured on network television. June's old press book yields a half-dozen TV-Guide pages, and she recalls, "Art Linkletter was such a nice man. We appeared on his 'House Party' show and he had coffee with us afterward". High Road to Danger , a syndicated TV show, made an episode on their ride. Even after they had returned home to the Northwest, there was continued TV coverage. A January 1961 TV Guide records their appearance on Portland's KOIN Red Dunning Show. The Mulfords even made

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2268-409: The trail on September 1, 1972, was often credited as the first PCT thru-hiker because Papendick was generally unknown and Ryback may have accepted rides. The first woman to complete the PCT was Mary Carstens, who finished the journey later in 1972, accompanied by Jeff Smukler. The first person to thru-hike the entire PCT both ways in a single continuous round-trip was Scott Williamson , who completed

2322-424: The trail, or any combination of the two. The final major logistical step is to create an approximate schedule for completion. Thru hikers have to make sure they complete enough miles every day to reach the opposite end of the trail before weather conditions make sections impassable. For northbound thru-hikers, deep snow pack in the Sierra Nevada can prevent an early start. The timing is a balance between not getting to

2376-478: The trail. However, it is not currently possible to legally enter the United States from Canada by using the Pacific Crest Trail. Hikers also have to determine their resupply points. Resupply points are towns or post offices where hikers replenish food and other supplies such as cooking fuel. Hikers can ship packages to themselves at the U.S. Post Offices along the trail, resupply at general and grocery stores along

2430-459: The visitor center building at Grassy Hollow. Ski lifts were destroyed at the Mountain High ski resort, but staff there used snowmaking machines to wet nearby vegetation and the resort itself "[appeared] to be mostly unharmed by fire", according to CBS News . Two shacks and equipment belonging to the resort's ski patrol team were destroyed. The Bridge Fire burned multiple popular hiking trails in

2484-401: Was also the youngest person to hike the Appalachian Trail until 2020. Other notable young hikers include Sierra Burror and Reed Gjonnes. Burror, who completed a continuous thru-hike of the trail in 2012 at the age of 9, is the youngest girl to thru-hike the trail. She completed her hike with her mother, Heather Burror. Gjonnes, who thru-hiked the trail in 2011 at age 11, went on to complete

2538-402: Was broken on August 14, 2016, by Karel Sabbe , a 27-year-old dentist from Ghent, Belgium . He covered the distance in 52 days, 8 hours, and 25 minutes, averaging over 50 miles a day and shaving almost a day (22 hours) off the previous record set by McConaughy. Sabbe was supported by his friend Joren Biebuyck. On July 22, 2021, 37-year-old ultra-runner Timothy Olson broke Sabbe's record with

2592-558: Was designated a National Scenic Trail in 1968, although it was not officially completed until 1993. The PCT was conceived by Clinton Churchill Clarke in 1932. It received official status under the National Trails System Act of 1968. The Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail , and the Continental Divide Trail form what is known as the Triple Crown of Hiking in the United States. The Pacific Crest Trail

2646-566: Was formed by Clarke to both plan the trail and to lobby the federal government to protect the trail. The conference was founded by Clarke, the Boy Scouts , the YMCA , and Ansel Adams (amongst others). From 1935 through 1938, YMCA groups explored the 2,000 miles of potential trail and planned a route, which has been closely followed by the modern PCT route. In recent years, Washington state clubwoman and educator Catherine T. Montgomery 's contributions to

2700-690: Was named, in the vicinity of East Fork Road and Glendora Mountain Road in San Gabriel Canyon . It grew to 800 acres (320 ha) by early Sunday evening. At 7:15 p.m., an evacuation order was issued for two populated areas in the East Fork San Gabriel River canyon, Camp Williams and River Community. In the morning on Monday, September 9, the fire had burned 1,255 acres (508 ha). At 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 9, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Mount Baldy Village , extending between

2754-522: Was originally named the Baseline Fire. The fire spread from that point into the San Bernardino National Forest . The CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 3 was activated on September 6th. On September 7th, the fire began to expand rapidly into the San Bernardino Mountains , prompting evacuation orders for the communities of Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake . Governor Newsom declared

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2808-627: Was published in 2012 and reached #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Her hike is the subject of the 2014 film Wild , starring Reese Witherspoon . The first two reported deaths on the Pacific Crest Trail were in November 1995, when thru-hikers Jane and Flicka Rodman were killed during a detour down California State Route 138 in Southern California , when they were struck by a motorist who lost control of his vehicle. They were less than 400 miles from their goal of reaching

2862-510: Was reached, the realignment is a long-term project; many details remain to be determined, as well as an Optimal Location Review—a lengthy process through which the ideal path for the new section of the trail is specified. Portland, Oregon's 40-Mile Loop proposes to extend the Springwater Corridor hiking and bicycling spur trail to connect the Pacific Crest Trail with the proposed Cazadero Trail . Plans are currently in progress to add

2916-474: Was reported as contained on September 14. On September 15, 2,600 emergency personnel were fighting the fire and had increased containment to nine percent. Cal Fire said that the crews had contained the spread of the fire overnight to be "minimal" at 800 acres. The fire's most active section was in the northwest while the in the east it still affects residents in the Mount Baldy area. Helicopters were unable to fly

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