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California trails · NST - Pacific Crest

NST - Pacific Crest

A 142.8-mile network in California, with 3,861 ft of climbing. Reaches Dicks Pass and other lake/pass destinations. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

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Length
142.8 mi
Elevation gain
3,861 ft
Difficulty
Expert
Max grade
46%
Steepest mile
+863 ft
Tread at ≥10% grade
39.1 mi
Shape
network
Bikes
yes
Horses
yes
Managed by
U.S. Forest Service

Elevation profile

7,011 – 10,813 ft122436485106127148169

The climbing is spread fairly evenly along the route. It gives back about 24,445 ft along the way, so it rolls rather than climbing steadily.

Reaches

Heads up

Stream ford: expect at least one unbridged crossing.
Terrain graded T2 (SAC scale).

Getting there

NST - Pacific Crest junction. 39.03217, -120.23103 · directions

Daylight at the trailhead

On August 31, 2026 — the day this page was generated — first light reaches this trailhead at 6:01 a.m., the sun rises at 6:28 a.m. and sets at 7:33 p.m., and the last usable light fades about 8:00 p.m. (PDT) — 13 h 05 min of daylight. At about 2.7 mph plus 30 minutes per 1,000 feet of climbing, the 142.8-mile route works out to roughly 54 h 50 min of walking — more than a single day of daylight here, so plan it as an overnight or hike it in sections.

Loop options

Nearby trails