PCT | Resupply Guide
If you are planning to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll inevitably think about your resupply strategy sooner or later.
🍗 “How long were your food carries on trail? “
This is a recurring question we get asked at home. The trail crosses many roads along its winding path from Mexico to Canada. Roads mean cars. Cars mean civilization. Civilization means towns. And finally, towns mean food.
Towns and small resorts along or near the trail offer the possibility for hikers to resupply for the next stretch, either by picking up a resupply box or by loosing their minds (and dignity) in a grocery store.
This article provides a detailed resupply guide for hiking the PCT. We tried our best so that you could find a list of (almost) all the resupply options along the trail, the addresses to ship boxes to, and precious tips & tricks from our own experience while thru-hiking in 2024.
Resupply Strategies
Here are the two resupply strategies that hikers adopt while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
🛒 Buy food as you go
Hikers choosing this strategy are stopping in towns and buying food in grocery stores and small shops, planning only one stretch at a time. If you don’t like the idea of planning your resupplies in advance, you’re not picky about food or following a specific diet, and you’re not very strict on time and money, this is your option.
Pros: no need to plan in advance, no need to worry about the opening hours of the post office, buy what you are currently craving, buy fresh produce.
Cons: sometimes expensive as f***, time consuming while in town, risk of loosing your mind in the supermarket, depend on (sometimes limited) store supplies.
🎁 The “hiker box trick”:
Since this option could become quite pricey, especially when shopping in small stores, a good advice is to check out the “hiker box” beforehand. When lucky, the meals left by other hikers could help topping up your resupply… you’ll be surprised of what you could find in there!
📦 Send resupply boxes
Some hikers are planning ahead and shipping resupply boxes to towns and resorts along the trail. This option is for people who want to save time and money while in town, or who are following a specific diet and can’t depend on the (sometimes limited) store supplies.
Moreover, if strategically shipped to places located directly on the trail, resupply boxes can allow you to stay longer on trail and skip towns. This can be great for hikers who need to gain time on their thru-hike schedule, or who don’t really enjoy the buzz of towns and prefer to stop and rest in smaller resorts, where all the facilities are in close proximity to each other.
Pros: potentially save money, save time during “town days”, don’t depend on the available supplies.
Cons: need for planning, fresh produce can’t be shipped in boxes, depend on the opening hours of the post office or store to pick up the box (check in advance whether it will be open on the day you’ll arrive).
🍱 The three types of resupply boxes:
Boxes shipped in advance: these boxes are prepared and shipped from home (or a place in the USA) before starting the trail. This requires a lot of planning, as you must already decide how much food to send and where to, before even hitting the trail. I personally think that sending all boxes ahead of time is very risky… your cravings will fluctuate while on trail, and you’ll end up hating that meal you once loved and shipped in all the damn boxes!
Boxes shipped by a friend: these are great boxes, filled with meals and snacks you’re currently craving the most, and prepared with love. You’ll be lucky if you find a good friend (based in the USA) who is willing to become your personal trail angel, preparing and shipping boxes on demand. The only downside of this option is that you’ll depend on someone else, and you’ll need to clearly communicate on a frequent basis to avoid logistics mistakes.
Boxes shipped from the trail: if you don’t have (or prefer not to depend on) friends in the USA to help with resupply boxes, a good alternative strategy is to stop in towns with good resupply options (such as a Walmart), go on a big grocery shopping mission, prepare boxes with your currently favorite food, and ship them ahead to the next few towns or resorts. You’ll be happy to pick them up in places where resupply options aren’t great! The downside is that you sometimes have to “sacrifice” a zero and spend most of the day planning, buying tons of food, preparing and shipping boxes.
📤 How to send a resupply box?
There are three main shipping carriers in the USA: USPS (United States Postal Service), UPS and FedEx.
USPS is the cheapest and the one you’ll use the most, since post offices will accept and hold packages only when sent with USPS. However, some resorts do not accept USPS packages, which is when it makes sense to ship with UPS or FedEx.
UPS and FedEx are privately owned and usually much more expensive. However, sometimes there is no other choice, either because the destination doesn’t accept USPS, or the post office is too far away.
To send a package, you simply need to head to the post office (for USPS) or to a UPS or FedEx store, where you’ll find boxes and packaging materials. Remember to write the delivery address on the box using this format:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY )
Destination address
“ETA” is the date you expect to arrive, written in US format
You will be offered different mailing options, and we recommend choosing the cheapest one that includes tracking and ensures that your package arrives at least one day before you do. After agreeing to the terms and conditions (e.g. no batteries or liquids in the box), you’ll get a receipt with a tracking number. Take a picture of it, as it can be super helpful if your package is delayed or lost!
Southern California
Campo (mile 0)
Many hikers prepare their first resupply before heading to Campo. However, the Campo Green Store & Deli is well stocked for hikers and even has fuel canisters. It is also possible to ship boxes to the post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Campo, CA 91906accepts: USPS
We prepared our first resupply before heading to Campo and packed enough food to get to Mount Laguna in 3 days.
Lake Morena (mile 20)
The Lake Morena Malt Shop offers good food supplies and serves breakfast burritos, burgers and milkshakes. It can be a great place to stop and have breakfast!
We did not stop here… rain was pouring down on us, and we decided to have our break in the toilets of the campground, where we desperately tried to air-dry our clothes.
Mount Laguna (mile 42)
Mount Laguna lies very close to the trail. You’ll find lodging, a restaurant, a post office and a general store, which has good (and expensive) food supplies and also accepts packages for a fee.
post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Mount Laguna, CA 91948accepts: USPS
general store:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Laguna Mountain Lodge
10678 Sunrise Hwy, PO Box 146
Mount Laguna, CA 91948accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
📩 Important: leave out “PO Box 146” when shipping with UPS or FedEx.
This was our first resupply stop and we found all we needed at the general store, where we bought enough food to get to Julian in 2 days. We had lunch and then kept hiking.
Julian (mile 77)
You need to hitchhike from Scissors Crossing to get to the charming little town of Julian, where you’ll find hotels, restaurants, small grocery stores, a gear shop, and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Julian, CA 92036accepts: USPS
We spent one night in Julian and bought enough food to get to Warner Springs in 2 days.
🥧 Note: This town is a must if you want to taste the famous Mom’s free pie for PCT hikers!
Warner Springs (mile 109)
You’ll not find much to resupply in Warner Springs, apart from the small shop of a gas station and possibly some snacks at the Community Center. We therefore recommend to send a resupply box to the post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Warner Springs, CA 92086accepts: USPS
We picked up our first resupply box (shipped before starting the trail) at the post office, which contained enough food to get to Idyllwild (via Paradise Valley Cafe) in 3 days. We then had a break (and a much needed bucket shower) at the Warner Springs Community Resource Center, and kept hiking for a few more miles in the evening.
Idyllwild via Paradise Valley Cafe (mile 152)
PVC is a cafe which serves amazing burgers and breakfasts, and even accepts packages:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Paradise Valley Cafe
61721 State Hwy 74
Mountain Center, CA 92561accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
From PVC, you can easily hitchhike to the charming town of Idyllwild, where you’ll find everything you need: grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, a gear store, a campground, and good vibes… the perfect settings for taking a zero, or getting vortexed! Packages can be sent to the post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Idyllwild, CA 92549accepts: USPS
We had breakfast at PVC and hitched to Idyllwild, where we picked up our box containing microspikes (shipped before starting the trail) and resupplied at the grocery store, planning to get to Cabazon in 4 days. We also managed to prepare a resupply box and ship it to Cabazon. We then enjoyed town food and beers, but gracefully escaped the vortex by hitching back to the trail later in the afternoon.
❄️ Note: the next stretch of trail goes up to the San Jacinto mountain range! This is therefore a strategic place for many hikers to pick up or purchase gear like microspikes and ice axes, depending on the snow and ice conditions.
Idyllwild via Devil’s Slide Trail (mile 179)
The town of Idyllwild can also be reached later on by walking down the Devil’s Slide Trail from Saddle Junction, before summiting (or going around) Mt. San Jacinto. The Devil’s Slide Trail leads to the parking lot of the Humber Park Trailhead, where a hitch could be found with day-hikers or arranged beforehand with trail angels, as cell service will not be available.
We decided to go to Idyllwild beforehand from PVC, as we wanted to pick up our microspikes before venturing into the San Jacinto mountains.
Cabazon (mile 209)
The town of Cabazon can be reached by hitchhiking (or Uber) from Interstate 10. For resupplying, you’ll only find a Dollar General and a gas station, but it’s a popular “in & out” stop because of the In-n-Out Burger and Starbucks. There is also a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Cabazon, CA 92230accepts: USPS
We took an Uber from I-10 and drove first to the post office, where we picked up our resupply box (shipped from Idyllwild), and then to the In-n-Out Burger place. With full bellies, we headed back to the trail later that day, planning to get to Big Bear Lake in 3 days.
Big Bear Lake (mile 266)
Big Bear Lake is another great town filled with restaurants, hotels, gear shops and grocery stores… a perfect place to take a zero! Packages can be sent to the post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315accepts: USPS
We took our 1st zero in Big Bear Lake, and were quite happy with our decision. We resupplied at the grocery store, where we bought enough food to get to Wrightwood in 5 days.
🚌 Note I: this town is quite spread out, but there are buses driving back and forth for free, which can be used to go to the supermarket.
🥞 Note II: the Grizzly Manor Cafe serves one of the best (and fattiest) breakfasts on the PCT!
Cajon Pass (mile 342)
At Cajon Pass there is the famous McDonald’s on trail, perfect to take a break and eat tons of food… and that’s exactly what we did! You’ll not find any resupply option other than gas stations, and a hotel that accepts resupply packages:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Best Western Cajon Pass
8317 US Hwy 138
Phelan, CA 92371accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
🍟 Note: some hikers decide to participate in the McDonald’s challenge, hence resupplying entirely at McDonald’s and eating nothing but McDoubles for the next 27 miles until Wrightwood.
Wrightwood (mile 369)
The town of Wrightwood is very well equipped with restaurants, hotels, a gear shop and a nice grocery store. If you want to ship a box here, we recommend shipping it to the gear store, which has better opening hours than the post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
Mountain Hardware
1390 Hwy 2, PO Box 398
Wrightwood, CA 92397accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
📩 Important: leave out “PO Box 398” when shipping with UPS or FedEx.
We spent one night in Wrightwood and resupplied at the grocery shop, where we bought enough food to get to Acton in 4 days.
❄️ Note: the next stretch of trail goes up to Mt Baden Powell! Make sure to get informed about the snow and ice conditions, and to pick up or purchase microspikes and ice axes if needed.
Acton (mile 444)
The Acton KOA campground (LA RV Resort) is located right next to train tracks, and honking trains will keep you awake the whole night. There is a swimming pool, showers, laundry machines, and a little shop with limited supplies for hikers. They also accept packages for a fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Acton LA RV Resort
7601 Soledad Canyon Rd
Acton, CA 93510accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
However, if you plan to do a full resupply here, we recommend to hitchhike to the town of Acton, where you’ll find bigger grocery stores and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Acton, CA 93510accepts: USPS
We did not have the best sleep ever at the Acton KOA campground, but we actually had a great evening, as we ordered pizza and played games with other hikers! We did not resupply, as we decided to go on a little side trip to Los Angeles once reaching Agua Dulce the next morning.
Agua Dulce (mile 454)
Agua Dulce is a little town where, apart from restaurants, you’ll only find Serenity’s Oasis. This is a trail angel’s place where PCT hikers can pitch their tents, resupply and receive/send out packages:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Farmer John Serenity’s Oasis
33571 Agua Dulce Canyon Road
Agua Dulce, CA 91390accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
Since it is possible to go to Los Angeles from Agua Dulce, we decided to call an Uber and go for a little side adventure. We spent 2 nights (hence taking our 2nd zero) in Santa Monica, where we resupplied for the next stretch, buying enough food to get to Hikertown in 3 days. We also prepared and shipped a resupply box to Hikertown.
Green Valley (mile 478)
Green Valley can be reached with a short hitch from the trail. You’ll only find a restaurant and a small grocery shop with decent supplies.
We just hitched to Green Valley for an amazing dinner, and came back to sleep on the trail later in the evening.
Hikertown (mile 517)
Hikertown is probably the strangest place on the PCT. It looks like a fake town built for a western movie set! The options for resupplying are limited: you can either get a ride to the Neenach Cafe & Market, which has limited supplies, or send a resupply box. Both Hiker Town and the Neenach Cafe accept packages:
Hiker Town:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Hiker Town
26803 W. Ave. C-15
Lancaster, CA 93536Neenach Cafe:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Neenach Cafe
22847 W. Ave. D
Lancaster, CA 93536accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
We arrived here around lunch time and picked up our resupply box (shipped from Santa Monica), containing enough food to get to Tehachapi in 3 days. We then spent the afternoon in the shade of the buildings, and headed back out at sunset to tackle the LA viaduct stretch.
☀️ Note: the next stretch of trail goes along the LA viaduct and can get very hot during the day. Make sure to plan this stretch so that you’ll stop where water is available, and walk in the evening/night and early in the morning if needed!
Tehachapi (mile 558 or 566)
Tehachapi can be reached by car from two different trailheads: from “Tehachapi Willow Springs Rd” (mile 558.5), or from “Highway 58” (mile 566.5). You’ll find hotels, restaurants (we highly recommend eating at Thai Hachapi), big grocery stores (Walmart) and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Tehachapi, CA 93561accepts: USPS
📍 Note: If you want to prepare and ship boxes to towns in the Sierra Nevada where resupply options could be limited, this is a good place to do it!
We spent one night in Tehachapi, where we bought enough food to get to Ridgecrest in 5 days and did not ship ahead any resupply box. If we could go back in time, we would however take our time to prepare and ship two boxes for the Sierra: to Kennedy Meadows South and to Vermilion Valley Resort (VVR).
Ridgecrest / Lake Isabella (mile 653)
These towns can be reached by car from Walker Pass.
Ridgecrest is not the nicest town, but you’ll find a big grocery store (Walmart), hotels, restaurants and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Ridgecrest, CA 93555accepts: USPS
Lake Isabella also offers good grocery stores, restaurants, lodging and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Lake Isabella, CA 93240accepts: USPS
We opted for Ridgecrest, the town which was closer to the trail and easier to reach by car, because we wanted to be efficient and just go “in and out”. We resupplied at Walmart and bought enough food to get to Kennedy Meadows South in 2 days. Additionally, we prepared and shipped a box to KMS. However, this last-minute shipment was a bit risky… if you also want to ship a box to KMS, we advise to do it from Tehachapi! We then headed back to the trail and pushed a few more miles in the evening.
Sierra Nevada
Kennedy Meadows South (mile 703)
KMS is the official end of the desert, the gateway to the Sierra, and the promised land for every thru-hiker who is mentally and physically done with the heat. There are two places to stay at and send packages to: the General Store and Grumpy Bear's Retreat. Both have pros and cons, but both have what you need: beer and food.
The General Store is a 5-minute walk from the trail, and it is tradition for fellow hikers to ring a cowbell and cheer for you when you get there! There’s free camping and showers just behind the store, and they hold boxes for a fee:
Your Real Name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Kennedy Meadows General Store
96740 Kennedy Meadows Rd
Inyokern, CA 93527accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
Grumpy Bear's Retreat is a bit further away, but there’s a shuttle that drives back and forth throughout the day, transporting hikers between the two places for a small donation. Close to Grumpy Bear’s, there is a good selection of resupply options at the Triple Crown Outfitters, where you can also find ice axes, micro-spikes, and bear canisters. At Grumpy’s you can camp, shower, do laundry and pick up a box for free:
Your Real Name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Grumpy Bear's Retreat
98887 Kennedy Meadows Rd
Inyokern, CA 93527accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
We stayed one night at Grumpy Bear's and one night at the General Store, where we preferred the vibes, hence taking our 3rd zero in KMS. We picked up our resupply box at Grumpy Bear’s (shipped from Ridgecrest), containing gear for the Sierra (spikes, ice axes, warmer clothes) and enough food to get to Bishop (via Kearsarge Pass) in 6-7 days.
🐻 Bear Canister: Bear canisters are required from here to at least Kennedy Meadows North. You can buy or rent one here, at the Triple Crown Outfitters.
❄️ Note: make sure to get informed about the snow and ice conditions in the Sierra, and to pick up or purchase microspikes and ice axes if needed.
Lone Pine via Cottonwood Pass or Mulkey Pass (mile 745 or mile 751)
The town of Lone Pine is a good resupply choice if you don’t want to carry 7 days worth of food during your first week in the Sierra. It can be reached by leaving the trail at Mulkey Pass (mile 745) or at Cottonwood Pass (mile 751), and by getting a ride at the Cottonwood Pass trailhead. Lone Pine offers hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, gear shops and a post office:
Your Real Name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Lone Pine, CA 93545accepts: USPS
We decided to skip this town and kept hiking to Kearsarge Pass.
Independence / Bishop / Lone Pine via Kearsarge Pass (mile 790)
The first section of the Sierra has multiple resupply options, all of which require leaving the trail via a side trail or pass. Most hikers (including ourselves) decide to hike a stretch of 7 days from KMS to Kearsarge Pass, and get a hitch or arrange a ride from the Onion Valley Trailhead.
📞 Note: You will only have cell phone reception once you are coming down from Kearsarge Pass.
Independence is the closest town to the trailhead, and therefore a good option if you’re in a rush and want to stay close to the trai, as you’ll also avoid potential long waits for a hitch to Bishop. It offers a limited number of restaurants, hotels, and resupply options at gas stations, but also has a campground and a post office:
Your Real Name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Independence, CA 93526accepts: USPS
🌮 Note: we can highly recommend to eat tacos at Glenn’s Taco Truck!
Bishop can be reached by car in 30-40 minutes from Independence. The town has everything a hiker needs: hostels, hotels, restaurants, big grocery stores, gear shops, laundromats, good vibes and a post office:
Your Real Name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Bishop, CA 93514accepts: USPS
We had dinner at Glenn’s Taco Truck in Independence, but decided not to stop and managed to get a hitch to Bishop as it was getting dark. We took our 4th zero in Bishop, during which we resupplied and bought enough food to get to VVR in 6 days. Bishop was such a great town, but we had the feeling we could not fully enjoy it during our zero, because of all the chores we had to do.
Muir Trail Ranch (mile 857)
The Muir Trail Ranch is located about 1.5 miles off the trail. The ranch is beautiful, but they do not serve food to non-guests. It is possible to send packages here, which however are transported by mule, and therefore require a high fee and specific time windows. Overall, we wouldn’t recommend stopping here for resupplying.
Vermillion Valley Resort (mile 880)
VVR is a small resort on the shores of Lake Thomas Edison. It can be reached in two ways: by foot via the Bear Ridge Trail (5 miles) or by ferry from the Eastern shore of the lake. It is a relaxing place with good food, showers, laundry facilities, campground and cabins, all within a 100-foot radius… a great spot to rest and recharge. However, the store only offers a limited and expensive selection of supplies, and holds resupply boxes for a high fee:
Your Real Name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o VVR - General Delivery
Lakeshore, CA 93634accepts: USPS
📅 Note: VVR has a 40$ package handling fee for resupply boxes and, due to the remote location of the resort, it is recommended to ship the box at least 2 weeks ahead of your ETA.
We arrived to VVR by foot, just in time for lunch. We ate plenty of food, spent plenty of money, and somehow managed to put together a resupply to get to Tuolumne Meadows in 4 days. We then headed back to the trail with the ferry later in the afternoon.
Red's Meadow Resort / Mammoth Lakes (mile 908)
Red's Meadow Resort is located practically on the trail and is a popular access point to the town of Mammoth Lakes via bus. You’ll find a campground, a cafe serving great breakfast burritos and milkshakes, and a general store with limited resupply options. It is a nice place to stop for a meal and top up your resupply if needed. They also accept resupply boxes for a high fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Red’s Meadow Resort
PO Box 395
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546accepts: USPS
❗ Note: please note that Red’s Meadow Resort has a 40$ package handling fee, and will require you to provide this filled out form for picking up your box. Logistically speaking, not the best.
Mammoth Lakes can be easily reached by bus from Red’s Meadows Resort. The town is a hiker’s favorite on the PCT and a convenient resupply stop, as it offers a wide range of amenities, including hotels, gear shops, restaurants, laundromats, grocery stores and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546accepts: USPS
Be aware that Mammoth Lakes gets expensive and crowded with tourists during summer, and accommodations may get booked up quickly. It’s therefore recommended to book your room in advance if you plan on staying in a hotel.
Since we previously resupplied in VVR and wanted to push to Tuolumne Meadows for taking a zero and visit Yosemite Valley, we decided not to go to Mammoth Lakes. After a short break at Red’s Meadows Resort, we kept hiking towards Yosemite.
Tuolumne Meadows / Yosemite Valley / Lee Vining (mile 944)
Tuolumne Meadows is within Yosemite National Park and lies practically on the trail. You’ll find a renovated campground, a well-stocked general store and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Tuolumne Meadows
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389-9906accepts: USPS
Yosemite Valley can be accessed by car or with the YARTS bus system from Tuolumne Meadows. You’ll find scattered full size grocery stores, restaurants, and a backpackers campground just behind the North Pines Campground, providing affordable camping options for hikers. The post office address of Yosemite Valley is the following:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389accepts: USPS
⛰️ Half Dome: you’ll need a permit if you want to climb Half Dome. Permits are non-transferable and must be obtained in advance, as they are not available at the trailhead. They are mostly distributed through a pre-season lottery in March, but additional permits also get available through a daily lottery, two days before the specific permit date. You can find more information here.
Lee Vining can also be reached by car or YARTS bus and is the closest town outside of Yosemite National Park. You’ll find a deli, a few hotels, a medium sized food market and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Lee Vining, CA 93541accepts: USPS
We arrived at Tuolumne Meadows in the morning, got picked up by car and went to Yosemite Valley to spend two nights with family. We spent our 5th zero as tourists, walking around the valley and enjoying breathtaking views!
We then decided to embrace a challenge and chase our friend, who was one day ahead of us on trail and was going fast. Our strategy included skipping the next towns in order to be time-efficient. We therefore bought enough food to get to Echo Lake Chalet in 8 days, our longest push so far. The long food carry was undoubtedly tough, but it became one of the most memorable parts of our PCT journey.
Kennedy Meadows North / Bridgeport / Strawberry (mile 1017)
Kennedy Meadows North is accessible via shuttle from the trail. You’ll find a resort offering a variety of amenities, including a general store, accommodations, showers, laundry facilities, and a restaurant. As in VVR, resupplying here could get quite expensive, and they also accept packages for a 20$ fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station
42421 State Highway 108
Pinecrest, CA 95364accepts: UPS only
💰 Note: if you prefer avoiding the higher costs associated with Kennedy Meadows North, consider resupplying in the nearby towns of Bridgeport, Pinecrest or Strawberry.
Bridgeport is approximately 32 miles from the trail. This town provides a more budget-friendly option for resupplying, and has a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Bridgeport, CA 93517accepts: USPS
Strawberry is a small historic town, located approximately 9 miles from the trail. It doesn't offer extensive resupply options, but it is a charming place for hikers to rest. The Strawberry General Store is the town's primary establishment, offering a selection of groceries, homemade fudge, local bread, pork, coffee, and honey. They also provide public showers, free Wi-Fi, RV water fill-up services, and accept resupply packages:
Your Real Name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Strawberry Store
28620 Herring Creek Lane
Strawberry, CA 95375accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
During this stretch, we were on a mission to chase our friend, who was one day ahead of us on trail. Our strategy included skipping towns in order to be time-efficient. We therefore did not resupply here and kept hiking to Echo Lake Chalet.
Northern California
South Lake Tahoe (mile 1092)
The town of South Lake Tahoe is a very popular choice for hikers to take a zero, as it marks the end of the Sierra section. Apart from good vibes, you’ll find a great choice of accommodation, restaurants, gear stores, grocery stores, and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150accepts: USPS
We however decided to skip South Lake Tahoe, partly because we were still on a mission to catch our friend, who was one day ahead of us on trail, and partly because we wanted to avoid big crowds of hikers and planned to take our zero later in Truckee.
🐻 Bear Canister: bear cans are required in the Desolation Wilderness (miles 1096-1018), so we suggest to keep it until Truckee or Sierra City.
Echo Lake Chalet (mile 1093)
The trail passes next to Echo Lake Chalet, from where it is also possible to get a hitch to South Lake Tahoe. This is not the friendliest place towards thru-hikers, but has lodging and a little store where you could manage to put together a small (and pricey) resupply. They do not accept packages, will not let you charge your devices, but have milkshakes.
Since we decided not to go to South Lake Tahoe, we quickly stopped here for breakfast and managed to top up our resupply to get to Truckee in 3 days.
Donner Ski Ranch / Soda Springs / Truckee (mile 1154)
Once at Donner Pass, you’ll have three options for resupplying: Donner Ski Ranch, Soda Springs, and Truckee.
The Donner Ski Ranch is close to the trail. It is a big chalet with lodging options, and a restaurant offering a free 40oz beer to PCT hikers! They hold packages for free:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Donner Ski Ranch
19320 Donner Pass Rd
Norden, CA 95724accepts: UPS, FedEx
Soda Springs is a small town with a tiny but very hiker friendly and well supplied grocery shop. There is also a post office in the same building:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Soda Springs, CA 95728accepts: USPS
Truckee is a nice town with outdoorsy vibes. It offers good resupply options, including lodging, big grocery stores, restaurants and gear shops… a good place to take a zero! The post office accepts packages at the following address:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Truckee, CA 96161accepts: USPS
We went to Truckee after drinking our free beer at the Donner Ski Ranch. We spent two nights in this town, enjoyed our 6th zero, and bought enough food to get to Sierra City in 2 days. We also got rid of our bear canisters in Truckee, and prepared and shipped a resupply box to Belden.
🐻 Bear Canisters: you could get rid of your bear can and send it back from the post office in Truckee. However, if you rented one from Triple Crown Outfitters, you can drop it off for a cheaper price in Sierra City.
Sierra City (mile 1196)
Sierra City is a small old mining town, which is located only 1.5 miles off the trail. The hiker-friendly general store offers good (and pricey) supplies, excellent burgers and milkshakes, and will hold packages for you:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Sierra Country Store
213 Main Street
Sierra City, CA 96125accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
This town was a quick in & out for us: we had our burgers and shakes, charged our devices, bought enough food to get to Belden in 4 days, and tackled the long climb out of town in the afternoon.
🐻 Bear canisters: if you rented one from Triple Crown Outfitters, you can drop it off at the general store.
Quincy (mile 1265)
The small town of Quincy offers plenty of resupply options including hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Quincy, CA 95971accepts: USPS
We decided to skip Quincy and kept walking towards Belden.
Belden (mile 1288)
Belden is not really a town, but rather an interesting place on the Feather River, hosting a few cool music festivals in the summer. At the Town Resort, you’ll find a large building comprising a hiker-friendly restaurant (serving amazing burgers), a small shop with limited supplies, motel rooms, and an area for camping. They also hold packages for a fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
Belden Town Resort and Lodge
14785 Belden Town Rd
Belden, CA 95915accepts: UPS, FedEx
However, the RV campground located one mile further down the road also has a shop, showers, a laundromat, and holds boxes for free:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
Caribou Crossroads
16242 Hwy 70
Belden, CA 95915accepts: UPS, FedEx
We spent one night at the Town Resort, where we picked up our resupply box containing enough food to get to Burney Falls in 6 days. Belden was weird… but god, we had a good time!
Chester (mile 1331)
Chester is a small friendly town with lodging, a grocery store, restaurants (Pine Shak is a hikers’ favorite for burgers and shakes), and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Chester, CA 96020accepts: USPS
We decided to skip Chester and kept walking towards Burney Mountain Guest Ranch.
Old Station (mile 1374)
There is not much going on at Old Station besides a café serving good breakfasts, a gas station with a surprisingly well supplied shop, and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Old Station, CA 96071accepts: USPS
The café was closed the day we arrived in Old Station, so we decided to have a lunch break at the gas station. They even had a microwave to warm up food, and a milkshake machine… life was good!
Burney Mountain Guest Ranch (mile 1411)
BMGR is a resort located very close to the trail. The hosts are amazing people… they welcome everyone with a fresh soda and cook family-style dinners and breakfasts every day! There are cabins, a room with bunk beds, a place to pitch tents, a pool, a laundry machine, showers, and even a shop. They also accept resupply packages for a fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Burney Mountain Guest Ranch
22800 Guest Ranch Rd
Cassel, CA 96016accepts: UPS, FedEx
🥫 Note: As the shop is small, it is more suitable for a resupply “top up”, hence not for putting together a full resupply. Additionally, it would be preferable if only the guests sleeping at the resort would buy food from the shop.
This place felt like a paradise on earth, and we can’t recommend it enough! We spent one night in a cozy cabin and, since we still had quite some food in our packs, we decided to top up our resupply in order to get to Mount Shasta in 4 days.
Burney (mile 1412)
The town of Burney can be reached with a ride from State Highway 299. It provides hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and a church offering showers and accommodation. The post office accepts packages:
Post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Burney, CA 96013accepts: USPS
We did not go to the town of Burney, as we just spent one night at the Burney Mountain Guest Ranch and didn’t need to resupply anymore.
Burney Falls (mile 1420)
Burney Falls State Park lies on the trail and provides a free camping area. The general store has limited and pricey supplies, but serves milkshakes and icecreams, and accepts packages for a fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Burney Falls General Store
24900 State Hwy 89
Burney, CA 96013accepts: UPS only
We had a quick break at the General Store, where we enjoyed some snacks before hitting the trail again.
Mount Shasta / Dunsmuir / Castella (mile 1502)
Mount Shasta is an awesome town to take a zero! Additionally to being crowned by the majestic Mount Shasta itself, there are some special vibes going on there, as it hosts an interesting mix of people, all going through different journeys: thru-hikers crossing the USA by foot, outdoor lovers climbing Mount Shasta, and people on a more spiritual journey, joining retreats about yoga, meditation, sound baths and crystal therapies.
You’ll find good restaurants, accommodations, a cheaper campground, a gear store, grocery stores, and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Mount Shasta, CA 96067accepts: USPS
The town of Dunsmuir is on the road leading to Mount Shasta, and also offers restaurants, lodging, grocery shops and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Dunsmuir, CA 96025accepts: USPS
Otherwise, if you prefer a quicker resupply, the small town of Castella can be reached with a much shorter hitch, and also has a nice grocery shop which accepts packages for free:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Ammirati’s Market
20107 Castle Creek Rd
Castella, CA 96017accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
We decided to spend one night in Mount Shasta, where we bought enough food to get to Etna in 5 days. We also managed to prepare and ship a resupply box to Seiad Valley.
Etna (mile 1601)
The town of Etna is very hiker friendly and quite small, so it’s actually easy to quickly get all the chores done… also a nice place to take a zero! Aside from accommodation, hikers are allowed to camp in the park. Along the main road, you’ll find a small grocery store, a great brewery and restaurant with great beer and food, a gear shop, a spa, and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Etna, CA 96027accepts: USPS
🚿 Core memory: Because of a wild fire, many hikers had to skip a section of the trail just South of here, and therefore hitched to this little town. Etna was therefore super crowded when we arrived… it was a special experience to share the only shower in the park with 60 other filthy hikers!
We spent one night in Etna, and left the next morning to walk on a re-route around another fire. We could therefore resupply in Fort Jones, a cool town which is not on the PCT. However, in normal conditions, we would resupply in Etna and buy enough food to get to Seiad Valley in 3 days.
Seiad Valley (mile 1657)
Seiad Valley is the last stop before crossing into Oregon, so make sure to buy your “celebration drink” at the shop before heading back to the trail! You’ll find a restaurant, an RV campground, a general store and a post office. If you want to ship a box here, we recommend to use the store’s address, which has better opening hours than the post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Seiad Valley Store
44719 Highway 96
Seiad Valley, CA 96086accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
🥞 Note: the restaurants hosts the famous “pancake challenge”: if you manage to eat 5 pounds of pancakes in 2 hours, you get them for free!
We arrived at Seiad Valley for lunch, had burgers and shakes, picked up our resupply box containing enough food to get to Ashland in 3 days, and headed back out in the afternoon to tackle the climb out of town.
Oregon
Callahan’s Lodge / Ashland (mile 1719)
Callahan’s Lodge is a hotel which is located only a short distance off trail, on Interstate 5, where it is easy to get a ride to Ashland. The lodge is very hiker-friendly: they have a good restaurant, allow hikers to camp, shower and do laundry on the back lawn, and also have discounts for rooms. They also hold packages for a fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Callahan’s PCT Hiker
7100 Old Highway 99 South
Ashland, OR 97520accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
Ashland is the first town you’ll get to in Oregon… a good place for a zero and for celebrating the crossing of the border! It is a large town with plenty of restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, gear shops and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Ashland, OR 97520-1900accepts: USPS
We spent two nights in Ashland, hence taking our 7th zero, during which we bought enough food to get to Mazama Village (Crater Lake N.P.) in 4 days. We also prepared and shipped ahead several boxes to places with limited resupply options in Oregon: Mazama Village, Shelter Cove and Timberline Lodge.
📝 Note: If you also want to ship out several boxes from Ashland, we highly recommend the Mail Stop, a great shop with friendly staff. They send out packages with all three carriers, are familiar with locations on the PCT, and even provide packaging material for free!
Hyatt Lake Resort (mile 1744)
This resort is located 1.4 miles off trail, on the shores of the Hyatt Reservoir. It has a good restaurant and a small camp store that accepts resupply packages:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Hyatt Lake Resort
7900 Hyatt Prairie Road
Ashland, OR 97520accepts: UPS only
We kept hiking and skipped this place.
Fish Lake Resort (mile 1774)
The Fish Lake Resort can be reached by doing a 2 mile detour from the trail. It is a hiker-friendly place which offers a free tenting area, a small shop, a restaurant, showers and laundry. They hold resupply packages for a fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Fish Lake Resort
State Hwy 140, Mile Marker 30
Eagle Point, OR 97524accepts: UPS only
We kept hiking and skipped this place.
Mazama Village, Crater Lake N.P. (mile 1822)
Mazama Village is located 1 mile off trail, inside Crater Lake National Park. You’ll find a campground with a free tenting area for hikers, a restaurant and a general store which accepts packages:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Mazama Camper Store
Mazama Village
Crater Lake, OR 97604accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
📩 Important: replace “Mazama Village” with “700 Mazama Village Dr” when shipping with UPS or FedEx.
We got to the general store late in the afternoon, just in time to pick up our resupply box containing enough food to get to Shelter Cove in 4 days. We then had dinner at the restaurant, pitched our tents in the dark, and started walking again the next morning on a re-route, to go around another wildfire.
Diamond Lake Resort (mile 1849)
This resort on Diamond Lake has campgrounds, lodging, a small shop, a restaurant and a post office. However, it is not very clear if they accept and hold packages for hikers, or if boxes are forwarded to the post office of a nearby town (Chemult).
We skipped this place, as this section of the trail was closed due to a wildfire.
Shelter Cove Resort (mile 1908)
This nice resort is located 2 miles off trail, on the shores of Odell Lake. You’ll find a free camping area for hikers, amazing wooden showers, laundry, a small shop with limited supplies and a restaurant. They hold resupply boxes for a fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Shelter Cove Resort
27600 West Odell Lake Rd
Highway 58
Crescent Lake, OR 97733accepts: UPS only
We arrived here late in the afternoon, just in time to pick up our resupply box containing enough food to get to Bend in 4 days. We really enjoyed this place, and even had the best shower on the PCT!
Elk Lake Resort (mile 1954)
This resort is located only 1 mile off trail. You’ll find a free camping area, showers, laundry, and a tiny shop which is not suitable for a resupply. However, the restaurant serves hot meals and shakes, and accepts packages:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Elk Lake Resort
60000 Century Dr.
Bend, OR 97701accepts: UPS, FedEx
We took shelter at the restaurant and waited out a thunder and lightning storm. We headed back to the trail with full bellies later in the afternoon.
Sisters / Bend (mile 1985 or 2002)
Both Sisters and Bend are great towns, offering everything a hiker would need or want.
The friendly town of Sisters lies on the way to Bend. It has plenty of restaurants and lodging options, grocery stores and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Sisters, OR 97759-9321accepts: USPS
The bigger, vibrant and outdoorsy town of Bend is perfect for hikers to take a zero and recharge. If you’re planning to prepare and ship resupply boxes for Washington, this is a good place to do so! Bend has plenty of lodgings, restaurants, breweries, a river, an REI, big grocery stores and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Bend, OR 97701-9901accepts: USPS
Bend ended up being Chef’s favorite town on the PCT… it was so worth spending our 8th zero here! We shared an AirBnB with our trail family, enjoyed the good vibes of the town, and bought enough food to get to Timberline Lodge in 4 days. Last but not least, we took our time to prepare and ship several boxes ahead, to places in Washington with limited resupply options: White Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass (not needed if hitching to Leavenworth), and Stehekin.
Big Lake Youth Camp (mile 1996)
This is a large summer camp on the shores of Big Lake, easy to reach with a short detour from the trail. They welcome hikers by providing meals, showers, laundry and an area to camp, in exchange for donations. They also accept packages:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Big Lake Youth Camp
26435 Big Lake Rd
Sisters, OR 97759accepts: USPS, UPS
We kept hiking and skipped this place, since we were planning to hitch to the town of Bend from mile 2002, hence shortly after.
Olallie Lake Resort (mile 2048)
This resort has rental cabins, a camping area for hikers (without showers nor electricity for charging devices) and a small but decent shop for a resupply. They do not accept packages.
We took shelter from an insistent storm at the shop, where the owner was so kind to turn on the stove and prepare hot coffee and tea for hikers. We therefore only stopped here for a break, but that break felt like a lifesaver for us!
⛰️ Note: it was very foggy when we arrived here, but I have seen pictures of the views from Olallie Lake with Mt Hood in the background… this place is magical!
Government Camp (2094)
The small town of Government Camp lies on Highway 26 and has some lodging options, restaurants, small grocery stores and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Government Camp, OR 97028accepts: USPS
We skipped this town because we planned to stay at the Timberline Lodge instead, where we had shipped a resupply box to.
Timberline Lodge (mile 2100)
Timberline Lodge is a hotel located very close to the trail, at the foot of Mt. Hood. It is a famous touristic destination, because of the movie “The Shining”, which was partly filmed in this hotel. It also got popular amongst hikers, but for a completely different reason: the “all you can eat breakfast buffet”! Although quite expensive, they also have hiker deals for bunk bed rooms, a great outdoor hot tub, laundry machines, and a “movies room” to watch “The Shining”. They also accept resupply boxes for a fee:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Guest Services Timberline Lodge
27500 E Timberline Rd
Government Camp, OR 97028accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
We booked in advance and shared a bunk bed room with our trail family, enjoyed the pool, watched the movie in the evening, and had plenty of food. It was worth it! We also picked up a box containing enough food to get to Cascade Locks in 2 days.
Cascade Locks / Hood River (mile 2149)
The small town of Cascade Locks is a special place, with the Bridge of the Gods crossing the Columbia River and marking the border between Oregon and Washington. Aside from hosting the famous and vibrant “PCT days” around mid August, this town offers several lodging options, an RV campground, restaurants, breweries, a small grocery store with limited supplies, and a post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Cascade Locks, OR 97014accepts: USPS
The town of Hood River can be reached by bus (or a 20 minutes car ride) from Cascade Locks. Many hikers go there just for resupplying, as the bigger grocery stores (Walmart and Safeway) offer a much better choice.
We spent one night in Cascade Locks, where we shared an AirBnB with our trail family and had a great evening at the brewery. The next day, before getting back to the trail and crossing the Bridge of the Gods, we decided to go to Hood River to resupply, and bought enough food to get to Trout Lake in 4 days.
Washington
Trout Lake (mile 2231)
Trout Lake is a cosy hiker-friendly town near the base of Mount Adams. To get here, you’ll need to hitch on roads which are not so frequented, and we therefore recommend to organize a ride with the local trail angels. You’ll find a very well supplied general store that allows hikers to camp in the garden, some lodging options and a few restaurants. Both the general store and post office accept boxes:
General Store:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Trout Lake Grocery
2383 Hwy 141
Trout Lake, WA 98650accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
Post Office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Trout Lake, WA 98650accepts: USPS
🫐 Note: if you get here during “huckleberry season” (late August to late September), make sure to taste THE BEST huckleberry milkshake ever at the Heavenly Grounds Espresso!
We got picked up by a trail angel and spent most of the afternoon hanging around the general store, where we bought enough food to get to White Pass in 3 days. We then pitched our tent in the garden behind the store and spent one night in Trout Lake… we really loved the hospitality and the vibes of this little gem of a town!
White Pass / Packwood (mile 2297)
White Pass is quite a special place, located close to the trail. You’ll only find a gas station called “Kracker Barrel Store”, offering limited resupply options, showers, laundry, and an area to camp and hang out just behind the store. We recommend sending a resupply box here:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o White Pass Rural Branch P.O
At The Kracker Barrel Store
48851 US Highway 12
Naches, WA 98937accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
🎼 Note: it is quite loud in the back of the store at night… but try to look at the bright side: the sound of the generator and the strong wind create a unique atmosphere, making it a memorable stop on your journey!
If you are looking for better resupply options, you can hitch to the town of Packwood from White Pass, where you’ll find lodging, restaurants and a bigger grocery store.
We arrived at White Pass in the afternoon and picked up our resupply box, containing enough food to get to Snoqualmie Pass in 5 days. We then enjoyed the evening at the tables behind the store, sharing dinner with our trail family.
Snoqualmie Pass (mile 2460)
Snoqualmie Pass is a ski resort area which offers a small convenience store at a gas station, a hotel, a few restaurants and a brewery with lots of good beers. There are two places accepting resupply boxes for a fee:
Summit Inn:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Summit Inn
603 State Route 906
Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
Chevron Gas Station:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Chevron Gas Station
521 Hwy 906
Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068accepts: USPS, UPS, FedEx
We stayed one night at the Summit Inn, where we picked up our resupply package containing enough food to get to Stevens Pass in 4 days. We really enjoyed the DruBru Brewery and had a great evening!
🗿 Note: we however struggled a lot to send home a package, as both the staff at the Chevron Gas Station and at the Summit Inn were very unsupportive.
Stevens Pass / Leavenworth (mile 2467)
Stevens Pass is a ski resort offering basic amenities. While there is no store, you can mail a resupply box here:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Stevens Pass, Thru-Hiker
93001 NE Stevens Pass Hwy, US 2
Skykomish, WA 98288accepts: UPS, FedEx
Leavenworth is a charming Bavarian-themed town which can be reached by car from Stevens Pass. It offers plenty of resupply options, including grocery stores, gear shops, restaurants and hotels… a great place to take a zero! The post office also accepts boxes:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Leavenworth, WA 98826accepts: USPS
We picked up our resupply box at Stevens Pass, containing enough food to get to Stehekin in 4 days by walking on a re-route around another wildfire. We then hitched down to the town of Leavenworth, where we decided to split an AirBnB with our trail family for one night. It was totally worth going to Leavenworth, as it is such a special town!
Holden Village (mile 2555)
Holden Village is a remote resupply option, accessible via a challenging 11 mile hike from Suiattle Pass. Alternatively, the village can be reached from Lucerne, located on Lake Chelan. While Holden Village doesn't provide traditional resupply services, such as a grocery shop, it offers a welcoming atmosphere with opportunities for a good rest. It is also possible to send packages here:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Holden Village
11155 Railroad Cr Rd
Chelan, WA 98816accepts: USPS
We did not go to Holden Village, as the re-route we planned around the wildfire brought us to Lucerne, and from there to Stehekin via boat.
Stehekin (mile 2575)
Stehekin is a very remote town, accessible only by shuttle bus from the trail or by boat over Lake Chelan. It is an ideal stop for a final resupply before the Canadian border, as it offers free camping, lodging options, a pricey general store, a restaurant and, most importantly, the best bakery on the entire PCT. Because of the limited and costly supplies, we highly recommend sending a resupply box to the post office:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o General Delivery
Stehekin, WA 98852accepts: USPS
🗓️ Note: due to the remoteness of this town, we suggest sending boxes ahead of time.
Because of a wildfire, we ended up reaching Stehekin by boat from Lucerne. We stayed one night at the free campground and enjoyed an evening full of laughter and good vibes on the terrace of the general store. The next morning, we picked up our resupply box, containing enough food to get to the Canadian Border in 5 days, and took the shuttle bus back to the trail.
🧁 Note: The stop at the Stehekin Bakery is a must! Make sure to taste the best cinnamon rolls in the world!!!
Mazama (mile 2594 or 2625)
The small community of Mazama can be reached by car, either from Highway 20 (mile 2594), or from Hart’s Pass (mile 2625). You’ll find a gear shop, a store with limited supplies, and the Lion’s Den, a hiker-friendly place offering free camping, showers and laundry. The gear shop also holds resupply boxes:
Your real name
PCT Hiker (ETA: MM/DD/YYYY)
c/o Goats Beard Mountain Supply
44 Lost River Rd
Mazama, WA 98833accepts: USPS
We stopped at Hart’s Pass to enjoy some lovely trail magic, but did not hitch to Mazama and kept hiking towards Canada.
🎒 Note: Mazama could be a good option for a final stop before reaching Canada, especially when hiking back to Hart’s Pass after reaching the Canadian Border. Moreover, SOBO hikers could also consider spending a night here before starting their adventure on the PCT!
Canada (mile 2655)
Congratulations, you have made it to CANADA!
🌲 Note: Unfortunately, from 2025, it is not possible to walk into Canada and reach Manning Park anymore. You’ll therefore need to hike 30 miles back to Hart’s Pass. But hey, at least your journey isn’t over yet!
