gracethomas•7d agoMost Upvoted

Just found out the Pacific Crest Trail actually goes through my hometown...

I've been hiking sections of the PCT for about 3 years now and always thought it was this far-off trail way out in the mountains. Then last week I was messing around on Google Maps tracing a route I wanted to try this summer and zoomed way in. Turns out a 6-mile stretch of the official PCT goes right through a county park about 10 minutes from my house in Bend. I've been driving past that trailhead for years and had no idea it was part of the whole thing. Felt pretty dumb but also kinda stoked because now I can practice longer sections without a 2-hour drive. Has anyone else stumbled onto a hidden bit of a major route near where you live?

2 comments

2 Comments

craig.viola7d ago

Wow, no way! I never would've guessed the PCT runs through Bend like that.

felixhenderson7d ago

Man, I had the EXACT same reaction when I first found out. I was driving from Portland to Crater Lake a couple years ago and took a detour through Bend for lunch. I stopped at this random trailhead just outside town to stretch my legs and saw the PCT marker. I was FLOORED. I spent like 20 minutes just walking a short stretch of it near the Deschutes River, it was SO beautiful and I had no idea it was right there. Now I always tell people to check it out if they're passing through. Bend is honestly one of my favorite spots to hop on for a quick day hike.