2650Miles
140–170Days
420,000 ftGain
ThruType
Permits
System
PCTA long-distance permit (500+ miles) + local wilderness permitsLong-distance permit required for any trip of 500+ miles. Register each year; registration does not carry over. Nov 4 release covers northbound starts south of Sonora Pass; Jan 13 opens southbound, long sections and remaining northbound dates. Must start on the permitted date and location.Apply or read more
Cost
Free (long-distance permit)
Bear storage
Required in Sierra Nevada and some NPS sections
Season
Best
NOBO: April–May start from Campo. SOBO: late June from Canada.
JFMAMJJASOND
PeakShoulderClosed
On trail
Water
Highly variable — desert sections (Southern CA) require 20–40 mile dry carries. Oregon: abundant. NorCal Sierra: plentiful.
Resupply
50+ resupply towns along the route. Kennedy Meadows (mile 702) is the gateway to the High Sierra — critical resupply.
Notes
Plan desert section water caches via Guthook/Farout. Southern California in April–June is hot and dry. Sierra snowpack in early season can be severe — check Guthook reports.
Elevation
1,700 ftHigh 11,000 ft
Resupply towns
Campo
Warner Springs
Big Bear
Kennedy Meadows
Mammoth
South Lake Tahoe
Ashland
Cascade Locks
Stehekin
Manning Park
Recommended gear