Protect the Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is one of California’s irreplacable landmarks. The trail stretches across the entire state, from the Mojave Desert to the Sierra Nevada mountains. But right now, over 200 miles are privately owned, which means they could be sold off and developed into roadways or housing developments. We can stop this if we build enough public support.
Over 200 miles of California’s most amazing trail could be developed
As Californians, our love of the outdoors is connected to the many awe-inspiring places across the state. The Pacific Crest Trail is a unique, truly Californian landmark: Crossing the Mojave Desert, traversing Giant Sequoia groves, passing through Yosemite National Park and beyond, the Pacific Crest Trail stretches from Mexico to Canada, intersecting some of the most diverse ecosystems in California.
For the hundreds of hikers who spend either the day or several months traveling the trail, there is no other trail like it on earth. Twenty-five national forests and seven national parks range through the trail. At Forester Pass in the Sierra Nevada, hikers are over 13,000 feet above sea level. And the trail crosses the longest wilderness, the deepest canyon, and the highest mountain in the lower 48 states.
Unfortunately, 200 miles of the trail are at risk right now of being sold to developers, which means they could be turned into highways or shopping malls
Our senators have a unique opportunity to protect the trail
Each year, Congress raids the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the program dedicated to protecting treasured places like the Pacific Crest Trail, and uses the money for other purposes.
Environment California is bringing citizens together to convince our lawmakers to make protecting the Pacific Crest Trail a top priority in the Congress, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
Together, we can win
Members and supporters of Environment California make it possible for our staff to conduct research, make our case to the media, testify in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and build the grassroots support necessary to protect this trail forever.
Key Facts
- Overall, the trail stretches 2,650 miles.
- The trail crosses the longest wilderness, the deepest canyon, and the highest mountain in the lower 48 states.
- The trail crosses more than 1,000 lakes and tarns including the three deepest in the country –- Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake, and Lake Chelan.
- The trail crosses 6 of North America’s 7 ecosystems, including low and high desert and old growth forest.