Short hikes on the long PCT

Other than some extreme sports, one of the most agreed-upon measures of athletic physical endurance is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.

- BRAD BRISBINE

The 2,653-mile journey from Mexico to Canada takes several months and is just as mentally grueling. Those that complete the winding path through a beautiful country in full immersion with nature, have their outlook on life changed forever.

For those of us not physically and mentally motivated to be thru-hikers, the good news is we can still enjoy visual highlights of what they see.

The PCT has numerous access trails from west and east. I passed a PCT thru-hiker once who had 2,500 miles under his belt.