For many college students, a sunny weekend in Eugene is complemented by a stroll to the top of Spencer Butte. Here, great views of the sprawling Willamette Valley can be seen for miles and miles. For those who are fond of afternoons spent atop the Butte’s boulders, a weekend along the Pacific Crest Trail will be something out of a dream world.
If the West Coast had a spine, that would be the Pacific Crest Trail. The trail runs from south to north through the Oregon Cascades. Climbing up ridges and falling into valleys, the Pacific Crest Trail is 2,650 miles of sheer outdoor nirvana. The trail starts in Mexico and ends in Canada, passing through California, Oregon and Washington along the way. With new and interesting areas around every corner, the 430-mile Oregon section of the Pacific Coast Trail is essential to experiencing some of the best outdoors enjoyment the state has to offer.
The Oregon section is described as the easiest section of the Pacific Crest Trail. This allows for any fan of the outdoors to partake in some of Oregon’s most promising scenery.
Hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail is a refreshing exposure to the outdoors. Regardless of the area, it is almost assured that lush fir trees will be present. Taking a deep breath in such an environment can erase any tension or stress to induce genuine relaxation.
The great thing about a trail that moves vertically across the state is that hikers can pick up or leave off at any of the sections. If one area seems flat and boring, skip it and move onto a more interesting or challenging area. The same goes for novices who may worry about steep climbs. Easier sections also exist. Of course, making the entire 430-mile journey is always an option, and is a feat accompanied with bragging rights in the backpacking community.
The trails themselves are some of the most traveled, making them well-maintained. Twisted ankles and dead-end trails are almost entirely avoided on the Pacific Crest Trail. Trails are also marked, so getting lost is not an issue.
Another aspect of the Pacific Crest Trail that makes it such a perfect destination for so many hikers is that the trail passes through many natural landmarks Oregon has to offer.
Starting at the southern end of Oregon near Siskiyou Summit, the trail traverses the geologically fascinating Cascades. Winding around the bases of many active volcanoes that helped shape Oregon’s unique landscape, the trail passes by Mt. McLoughlin, Diamond Peak, the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, Three Finger Jack, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood. Each peak pierces the skyline, giving fresh and exciting views of some of nature’s most volatile formations. Photo opportunities are ever abundant when passing through these massive mountain ranges, as the rocky peaks are speckled with white glaciers during the summer months.
Aside from the mountains, the Pacific Crest Trail wanders through valleys running into some of the best bodies of water the state has to offer. Waterfalls and lakes can be found in most of the Oregon sections, but the best can be found in the southern and central sections of the state. Crater Lake, the nation’s deepest lake and Oregon’s only national park, is the gem of the trail’s water landmarks because the trail traverses the rim of the lake. The views here are extraordinary.
So if it’s the weekend and you’re getting an itch to go outdoors, skip the easy climb of Spencer Butte and get out into the challenging, but exceptionally rewarding Pacific Crest Trail.

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