Just realized the PCT is overrated for solo beginners

I hiked the first 100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail last summer and honestly, it felt more like a crowded sidewalk than a wilderness route. Every night I had to camp within earshot of other people, and the permits were a headache to book. I think the Colorado Trail gives you the same kind of scenery with half the people. Has anyone else found a less popular route that still has epic views but fewer hikers?

3 comments

3 Comments

emerychen18d ago

Used to be a PCT diehard who swore it was the best trail for solos, but this hit me hard. Last year on the JMT I was stuck in permit lines and sharing campsites with people blasting music on Bluetooth speakers. Since then I've been digging into the Tahoe Rim Trail. You get alpine lakes and granite peaks almost identical to the Sierra section of the PCT but way less traffic. Have you checked out the TRT or the Sierra High Route for a quieter experience?

black.amy18d agoMost Upvoted

Honestly, I feel like I just got called out in the most relatable way possible. I was that PCT diehard too, but then I spent a night near a group who thought a full-on rave was the wilderness vibe we all needed. Ngl I've been eyeing the TRT for a while now because you're right, the scenery is basically the same but without the Instagram-influencer parade. I tried the Sierra High Route once and got lost for three hours because I followed a deer instead of my map, which is pretty on brand for me. So yeah, I'm all for the quieter routes where my own clumsy self is the only noise complaint.

smith.jordan6d ago

Is it just me or is the real cost of those quieter routes actually higher when you factor in the extra gear you gotta buy to survive a wrong turn without a trail marker every half mile?

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