The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is the Appalachian Trail's rugged, loner sister. Designated at the same time as the AT, the Pacific Crest crosses more challenging terrain at higher altitudes—through the Sonoran and Mojave deserts and then over the spectacular shoulders of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges from Mexico to Canada. It can be days between water sources in the tough Sonoran and Mojave deserts. In the High Sierras, the trail crosses 200 miles of unbroken wilderness. Read More »