Resources for Piecewise Hiking

Through hiker information

Through hikers have several critical sources of information:

Wilderness Press Guidebooks, in paper or pdf, are still in print but haven't been updated in about ten years. So they are not good sources for transitory matters like camping restrictions, temporary trail closures, water supplies, or trail angels. But they are still invaluable information on less ephemeral matters like natural and human history, and the maps are sometimes easier to read than Halfmile's, paradoxically because they have less information and use fewer colors. It's best to have both.
It used to be that cutting up the Wilderness Press books into sections to be mailed with resupply packages was one of the rituals of the final preparation for a through hike. Nowadays I suppose it's downloading Halfmile's maps/app/data onto their phone. And hoping the phone doesn't get wet.
Wilderness Press Databook updated every few years.
Halfmile's pdf maps, apps, and gps data updated annually.
Yogi's PCT Handbook updated annually. Yogi also sells printed copies of Halfmile's maps.
PCT Water Report is updated frequently and is essential for overnight hiking south of Sequoia National Park.

Day hikers and section hikers need all of these too. So this website won't duplicate information you can find there.

Day and section hiker information

The two volumes of Day Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail by George & Patricia Semb have been the key references for persons wanting to hike the PCNST with short hikes. They cover all the trail that is feasible for most non-through hikers using conventional passenger cars. The data is remarkably accurate considering that the books were published in the year 2000. Long out of print, they still seem to be available on Amazon. Up to now, these have been the only comprehensive guides to dayhiking the trail.

The Mountaineers have just started publishing a series of guidebooks covering dayhikes and short backpacks. The Washington volume is a beautiful heavy full cover work suitable for any coffee table, but you probably wouldn't carry it in your pack. It covers the whole PCT in sections, but it doesn't seem to cover the dayhiker access roads the way the Semb books do. You will still need the Semb books.

Washington.
Oregon.

Then there are volumes covering highlights of the trail in various places. They don't intend to be comprehensive and don't replace the Semb books:

Wilderness Press Day and Section Hikes on the PCT
Day Hikes and Overnights on the Pacific Crest Trail covers most of the trail south of Mt San Jacinto and scattered bits up to Agua Dulce.

Other resources you need to know about:

PCTA Trail conditions and closures is worth checking but trail conditions might not be up to date where you want to go.
PCT-L mailing list is a good place to ask questions about current conditions... after you've checked its archives and the other resources above. To check the archives using google, search for "site:backcountry.net pct SUBJECT" where SUBJECT is whatever specifically you want to know about.
Often the best current information is from volunteer trail maintainers who have to drive or ride on worse roads than any that the Sembs mention.

This is where YOU come in

In the other parts of this website I try to share what I have observed at various times and places. I have not been at all times in all places. So I welcome additional information from people who have been there since the last time I was there.

What additional information? Not anything that is available in the resources mentioned above. But more current information on factors that aren't mentioned much in those resources -

roads - current conditions - open/closed - suitable for cars/ORV's/stock?
parking - trailhead parking conditions - a lot or just a wide spot in the road - legal for how long (72 hours in much of California) - safe for how long - is it better to be close to a busy highway or remote?
trailhead camping - can one camp near the trailhead? where? legal? water - processed or natural or none? - picnic tables/fire rings - toilets? The perennial problem for weekend backpacking with a full time job is figuring out where to crash on Friday night in order to be close to the trailhead without getting busted.
taxis - car rentals - trail angels - other car shuttle helps.
nearby town info - Yogi's book is oriented toward through hikers with limited transporation. Day/section hikers typically have a car or two cars and more options. Tell me about the brewpubs you find!
backpacking suggestions - generally we want to limit backpacking to just what's required to bridge the gaps in dayhikable sections. Given that the first and last day will be short hiking days due to the problems of car shuttles, where are good places to divide the hike and make camp? Section hikers are generally not in as good condition as through hikers and can't expect to do 20 mile days over and over, up and down steep elevation gains and losses, especially late in the season when days are shorter (but bugs and stream crossings and snow slopes aren't major issues).

Send additional information to pcsnt2001 AT sbcglobal DOT net.