Pacific Crest Trail and State Park Tips
When Cheryl Strayed published her book Wild, the story that put her on the map about her incredible journey of walking the Pacific Crest Trail, she undoubtedly inspired so many others to follow in her footsteps. Clocking in at 2,659 miles, Mrs. Strayed paved the pathway for countless people to take on the great adventure in the highest portion of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges.
While most people don’t have the time or the means to take on such an arduous adventure, this certainly doesn’t mean that one still can’t enjoy their own little slice of the journey when they’re staying in a San Diego RV park. At KQ Ranch, we encourage our campers to get out in nature and explore everything the area has to offer. To learn more about this magnificent stretch of land and its accompanying State Park, please read on.
PCT History and Facts
The PCT, which runs through the Sierra Nevada and Cascades, accommodates both humans and horses. The trail covers terrain from Mexico and Canada, and includes the states of California, Oregon and Washington. It was completed in 1993 after being sanctioned by Lyndon Johnson, and supported by groups like the Boy Scouts and the YMCA. The PCT and its cousin, the Appalachian Trail, are both highly sought after goals by thousands of people every year. While many hikers have tried and failed to complete these granddaddies of long walks, they have all walked away with a newfound appreciation for the great outdoors and the wonders found right in our own country.
The Joy of Walking
The term hiking tends to be applied to walks in the woods of varying difficulty, and that very concept can tend to intimidate people when it really shouldn’t. Hiking doesn’t have to entail gigantic treks up monstrous mountains, or sloshing through frigid lakes that come up to your chest. So during your stay on our campgrounds, you can seize the opportunity to complete a section of the PCT at your own pace. You will be able to take in the breathtaking vistas and wildlife found on the trail, while witnessing the magic of the mountains in the Cleveland National Forest. Sure, the temperature can sometimes climb into the 100s during the summer. However, we guarantee that if you venture out on even a small portion of the trail while residing in our RV resort, you will have an incredibly rewarding experience (or at the very least, a good story).
Take a Camera
For those who love feeding their photography passion, the PCT and State Park is an excellent place to catch sight of lizards and the occasional coyote. Find a good angle and you’ll be sure to capture the local flora in the way of desert scrub or chaparral. Should you manage to make it to a higher elevation, you’ll find beautiful oak trees just waiting to have their image shared with family and friends on your social media pages. Some people perceive nothing but brown and dust in the summertime but the desert is alive and well, and full of things to be discovered if you simply look. Bird watchers can take their binoculars and watch the hummingbirds and hawks that frequent the area. You never know what you’ll find when you’re on the Pacific Crest Trail, but you should absolutely approach the hike with a sense of adventure rather than hesitation. Further, it’s noteworthy to mention that there is no reason to fear for your safety if you come across an animal. Simply stick to the old adage that if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.
Take the Kids
Kids are innately bursting with energy, so our KQ Ranchers would like to recommend bringing them out to the Pacific Crest Trail for a beautiful stroll. They can tire themselves out so you know they’ll go to sleep right after making a few s’mores at the campsite later that night. What might make this trip a home run would be to give them a fun, new activity to try. This could be a good distraction, especially if they’re not used to the heat or the altitude. You could take a book and try to identify the plants you may across, or you could even go on an adventure of tracking the animals who live there by looking at their footprints in the dirt. Kids can learn a lot about the world around them just by simple outings like this, and they will have the chance to discover the things they’re passionate about. Dogs staying at our RV resort love the PCT too, so bring them out on a leash and let them join in on the fun!
Finding Your Way
There are a variety of other things to do along the Southern California section of the Pacific Crest Trail, which winds its way through the San Felipe Hills, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Lake Morena County Park. While you certainly don’t have to devote days or even several hours to the hike, we do recommend challenging yourself to do something new while you stay on our camping grounds. Make sure you take plenty of water, be on the lookout for snakes just in case and consider wearing long pants to protect your legs.
KQ Ranch Resort
Southern California is filled with all kinds of treasures, both large and small. These camping grounds are our favorite playground, and when you stay with us we make it a point to share all of our favorite things with you. Hiking the PCT is just one of them, so call us today to find out all there is to discover. Or, you can click here to reach one of our friendly staff members today. We look forward to seeing you out in the picturesque trails soon!