AT or PCT - Which Trail is Better?

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[DarwinOnthetrail]

The numbers given for Elevation/Loss in this video were from an older article published by the AMC which can be found below... According to other sources, this data might have changed.

Hike On,
Darwin

[josephjamison]

The trail you should do first is the one that calls you. For me it was the PCT, I grew up in Oregon and Washington, it felt more like home to me. I thru-hiked the PCT in 2016 after retiring from the Army after 21 years. It was exactly what I needed.

[BlaBla-pfmf]

The landscape on PCT is more varied and the views more spectacular.

[arcana]

It seems to me the AT has the East Coast "blue collar" vibe of hard work and then relax. PCT is more west coast vibe of soul searching and chillax. But I'm just generalizing from my home while not having done either. Lol

[katgerbz]

I hadn't heard that description of the "vibe" difference between the trails, but now that you say it it makes so much sense!! The grandness and openness of hiking the Sierras can make you feel "small" and get you in touch with yourself. The green tunnel would make you feel connected and in touch with what's outside of you. Wow. Really wow.

[nulious]

This year I did 2 hikes that most people do as day hikes. It's been over 20 years since I "hiked for Uncle Sam". In May I overnight hiked the Backbone Trail in Kisatchie, LA. and in July I overnight hiked to Williams lake from Toas ski valley. The Backbone trail was up down up down... steep hills from 250-350 ft . Where as the Williams lake hike was a slow steady climb from 9000ft to 11000ft. I couldn't tell you which was harder since they were vastly different experiences. Thank you for making these videos and sharing your experiences and wisdom.

[tomphillips]

I have watched a number of these comparison videos, this is typical neither video. When someone picks the AT it's because they really wanted to hang out with a bunch of cool people, more than anything else. The hikers that pick the PCT might pick it because its less claustrophobic but the number 1 reason and why its chosen increasingly more often than the AT is its easier for hikers to find there stride. The community around the PCT is growing yearly because like the Arizona trail, for a lot of hikers a smoother trail is a more enjoyable trail.

[matteosaottini]

Hi Darwin, I had the pleasure of meeting you at trail days in Cascade Locks this year. I had just got there via the pct (my biggest day 37 miles) and I was on my way to Washington while you had finished the trail a week earlier at the time.
I can't watch any of your videos anymore. Anytime I see footage from the pct.. I cry. It was such a wonderful and overwhelming (in a good way) experience. I am so happy I have done something unique like that. Happy trails brother.

[mtadams]

I plan on hiking the PCT in 2022 as I will be retiring then. I have hiked a lot of the AT and I have hiked a lot out west. To me the west has always been easier and this older body needs that. I also love the scenery more and the lack of rain. Either way I am sure the PCT will be all I can handle. I have a lot of experience in the outdoors and have spent a lot of time on the trail. Thanks for confirming my own thoughts.

[jeffleeson]

YES finally an accurate answer. I've done both the AT + PCT and the AT is physically leaps and bounds harder than the PCT, but is also the easiest to finish.

On the AT, you can do literally do 10mi/day and STILL finish, it is very much a 'safety blanket' trail in that you could be in a town at the end of almost every day if you wanted to. You pay the price for this though, as you'll be crossing, on average 4 roads a day and won't get many 'real' views without houses, roads, etc. until mile 1800 or so.
On the PCT, if you've done the AT, the trail is a PIECE OF CAKE and you get crazy views on a daily basis. But, you pay the price for this as towns are around 3-5 days apart so food and water carries become extra fun.

Both are COMPLETELY different trails and I didn't fully understand that until I had done both. The best I can recommend for a first thru is that you'll have the most fun if you do the trail closest to you as you'll be better accustomed to the weather, culture, etc. Mid-westerners flip a coin haha

Darwin, see you on the CDT next year? ;)

[c]

Great description of the differences. As someone who grew up in the southern Appalachians who now lives in the Rockies this was great. Different but everything has its positives and negatives. I took water sources for granted back in northern Georgia and the Smokies, but now out west I always know where the next water source is located. You only make that mistake once!

[mamaagn]

The scenery and climate draw me to the PCT. I hope to section hike it over the next several years. I really appreciate your take on things, great video!

[stillhuman]

It is amazing that you included a clip of Blood Mountain shelter when you talked about history. On my AT thru this year, I found a note from you in the shelter log wishing good luck to all us 2018ers!! Thanks for those words! I loved thinking about all the feet that came before me on my way to Katahdin!

[cjmills]

I haven't thru-hiked it, but I spend so much time hiking on AT I absolutely feel like it's "home". As soon as I see the white blaze I just get this sense that I'm where I belong. I think you nailed that description! Thanks for all that you do, you've certainly inspired me to put "thru-hike" on my bucket list.

[PaulMessner]

Another fabulous film Darwin. I love the attention to detail in all your videos. Got to be one of the best outdoor channels. Exactly what i aspire to achieve with the videos on my YouTube channel. I'd love to hike something like the PCT one day. It's on my wishlist. Best wishes. Paul

[kellyjohnson]

Thanks for posting about your experiences. I never knew much about the trail community except for this one Band B in the eastern sierras that caters to through hikers. I would sit in the breakfast room and listen to their trail stories and wish I could do that. Physically I could never do a full PCT or even the JMT but watching your videos I’ve come to appreciate that world better. I still hike but much shorter and easier hikes. But when I meet up with through hikers I know better how to talk to them and do trail angel type things. I love being able to be a part of encouraging people to enjoy this gorgeous planet that has been entrusted to us. Thanks again for posting.

[madrejonimiller]

Thanks for the input. I’m terrified of ticks and I live in the Desert, so I’m thinking the PCT is my kind of hike!

[bcyork]

Great video Darwin! I think one thing to note about the AT and much of the surrounding area is to not miss the small beauty. The area is so full of little things that are so cool / beautiful on the micro level and they change rapidly. The fog rolling over a arching of old battered pines on a ridge on a cool morning with the weathered trail is just as breathtaking as long vistas of big mountains to me. But its that beauty that you see and then it changes for the next person. I feel like the Appalachian experience is unique to each person that hikes a trail. True the Appalachian mountains can feel like continual repeats of the same thing but upon a closer look can be magical and beautiful if you don't get hung up on the green tunnel and the allure of big vistas and enjoy what is close enough to touch. On a side note Darwin, have you ever looked at the Sheltowee Trace in KY? Has a lot of what the AT has in the feel. I really really enjoyed the northern section I did this year.

[Dancingmartian]

Great video! Thanks! I've been planning my SOBO AT hike in 2020. It will be my "out of debt celebration!" So looking forward to being part of the thru hiker family.

[michaelb]

My only experience is hiking sections of the PCT, and you nailed it when you said the PCT makes you feel small and makes you look inside yourself. This can be tough mentally but also cathartic. The views are just so big and open and you are so small. The PCT certainly seems more wild, which you also touch upon, but that is changing (for the worse in my opinion), as a larger trail community develops and more and more people attempt to hike the PCT. Oh well, I'm sure I'll still be able to find places of solitude 15 years from now, I may just need to travel up to Idaho.