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Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon Section Overview (Oregon Border to Cascade Locks)

Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon Section Overview (Oregon Border to Cascade Locks) reference article on thruhikingwiki.com.

Overview

The Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail runs from the California–Oregon border to the Columbia River at Cascade Locks, covering roughly 460 miles of generally smoother tread, frequent forested corridors, volcanic landscapes, and a comparatively dense network of road crossings and resupply options.

Key points

  • Oregon spans roughly PCT miles 1,690 to 2,150 on common northbound mile charts, though exact values vary with reroutes.
  • The section is often perceived as faster due to gentler grades and generally smoother tread compared with the Sierra and parts of Washington.
  • Major resupply hubs include Ashland, the Crater Lake / Mazama Village area, Shelter Cove at Odell Lake, Bend / Sisters via Cascade Lakes Highway or Santiam Pass, the Big Lake Youth Camp / Highway 20 corridor, the Mt Hood / Timberline Lodge area, and Cascade Locks.
  • Volcanic features such as Crater Lake, the Three Sisters area, and Mt Hood provide some of the most recognizable Oregon scenery.
  • Water availability is generally more frequent than in Southern California but can still be variable in late summer, particularly on exposed ridges and lava flows.
  • Road and trailhead access is relatively common, allowing flexible resupply strategies and shorter or longer carries depending on a hiker’s preferences.
  • Weather can still be variable, with heat, thunderstorms, smoke from regional wildfires, and early or late-season snow all possible depending on timing.

Details

Within the broader Pacific Crest Trail, Oregon is often discussed as a distinct segment between the California border near the Siskiyou region and the Columbia River crossing at Cascade Locks. Many northbound hikers reach this section after approximately 1,600–1,700 miles of travel and view it as an opportunity to increase daily mileage compared with more strenuous sections in the Sierra Nevada and parts of Northern California.

The tread in Oregon is commonly characterized by long forested stretches, relatively consistent grades, and a mix of volcanic plateaus, lakes, and lava flows. While the terrain can still be demanding, there are fewer sustained high passes than in the Sierra, and large sections follow well-built trail through conifer forests. This combination often allows hikers to complete longer days, especially when daylight and conditions are favorable.

Resupply logistics in Oregon are shaped by a network of road crossings and nearby towns or resorts. Many hikers begin the section by resupplying in Ashland and then choose among combinations of Crater Lake / Mazama Village, Shelter Cove at Odell Lake, resort or town access near Bend and Sisters, youth-camp or corridor options near Big Lake and Highway 20, services around Mt Hood and Timberline Lodge, and finally Cascade Locks at the Columbia River. Individual strategies vary based on pace, time of season, preferred store selection, and whether hikers rely on mailed boxes or buy locally.

Despite a reputation for being "easier" than other sections, Oregon still presents real challenges. Summer heat, mosquitoes in lake-rich areas, smoke from regional wildfires, and sections of exposed lava or burn areas can all influence comfort and pacing. In shoulder seasons, lingering snowfields or early storms may affect travel, particularly at higher elevations.

Overall, the Oregon section offers a blend of efficiency and scenery: a relatively fast-moving part of the PCT that still includes iconic landmarks and a variety of logistical options. For many hikers, it serves as both a psychological milestone after California and a staging ground for the more rugged and weather-sensitive miles that await in Washington.

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Illustrative hiking footage

The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.