Tyler “Mac” Fox is the blogger behind Halfway Anywhere, as well as a thru-hiker, bikepacker, ultrarunner, climber, van dweller, and more. Each January, he compiles and publishes an annual survey that details the previous year’s experience on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which spans 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, passing through California, Oregon, and Washington. Now in its 11th year, the Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey provides a fascinating glimpse into how life on the PCT is changing over time, including the cost to thru-hike this National Scenic Trail.
The 2024 survey released earlier this month suggests the cost to thru-hike the PCT is higher than you might think. But first, what would you guess the cost per day is to hike the Pacific Crest Trail? What would you guess the total cost is?
Fox’s survey found that the average amount thru-hikers spent on the entirety of the PCT in 2024 was $10,149. That’s an average of $71 per day. The survey includes plenty of other interesting data that’s worth reading through if you’re considering hiking all or part of the PCT. In fact, Fox says he does this every year because he hopes it can be a valuable resource to anyone interested in figuring out how to approach this “seemingly monstrous journey.”
Read the whole survey here.
Header image by Nicole Sieben via the Pacific Coast Trail Association.