I am a healthy 27 year old female and I want to travel as many trails as I can. I lived in north carolina and never felt better than when I was in the mountains on a trail. Unfortunately I recently moved to the west coast. I know nothing of the world of long distance hiking.I need as much advice, suggestion and help as I can get to live on the trail. I truely don’t belong in the plastic bubble called the OC. Thanks to anyone whom can help me on this life changing journey!!
Morgan
Re. the PCT, I suggest you start here: http://www.pmags.com/pacific-crest-trail-planning-info…
Quick & dirty guides for AT & CDT, plus lots of other long distance hiking & general backpacking info on Mags" site, also.
Jim (PITA)
I love the Sierras. The John Muir Trail is magnificent. But if you don’t have that much time, there seem to be lots of loops. We did a fantastic 5 day loop out of Grant Grove in Sequoia - Bearpaw, over Kaweah Pass, Nine Lakes Basin, Little 5 Lakes, over BlackRock Pass, through Redwood Meadow, back to Bearpaw and out to Grant Grove. This is just one example. Check out the Yosemite and Sequioa-Kings Canyon websites. When you have some ideas, Google some key phrases and “trip report”. Lots of hikers have great websites.
Turtle Walking
You’ve got a nice trail right in your back yard. Take the ferry from Newport or Long Beach to Avalon on Catalina Island. The Trans Catalina Trail is about 70 miles round trip. Running water is available at campgrounds, weather is almost always mild, you can re-supply from the grocery store at the isthmus. It’s a short hike but a good local intro to long distance hiking. I hiked it last spring.
bowlegs
I will be finishing my hike this year in late September or early October. I havent arranged a way back to Northwest FL yet. Any suggestions ie train, plane, bus, ???
crestview_hiker
Well that’s an easy one:
Double back a couple of miles to Castle Pass and hang a left on the Pacific Northwest Trail. About 2 months later turn right on the Continental Divide Trail. Another couple months, left on the American Discovery Trail. Go for awhile on this one. A few traffic lights. Turn right on the International Appalachian Trail. That should hook you up with the Florida Trail and you’ll be home in no time.
markv
Hi Morgan, if you plan to take some time off from the rat race in order to thru-hike a long-distance trail, why not plan to start with the Appalachian Trail rather than the Pacific Crest Trail? The AT seems to offer an abundance of what you love in the outdoors and may feel like a homecoming of sorts. Best of all it is an easier trail to break into the world of l-d hiking since you will be surrounded by lots of folks who are also new as well as many who are experienced, and advice and camaraderie will flow like a Smokey mountain creek. It’ll also give you plenty of time to focus your goals for after the hike in order to determine what works best for you, career and lifestyle wise. Don’t sweat the details at this early stage; just take your feelings as a sign and follow your heart. The rest will take care of itself.
tron
To give one answer to Tron’s rhetorical question: because the PCT is amazingly great. Plus it’s gotten to the point the past couple of years that there are nearly as many new inexperienced hikers out there on the PCT. It’s not that difficult of a break-in anymore with all the caches and support and hikers. I don’t think there’s much reason anymore why hikers would want to start with the AT first, unless of course the AT is the trail they happen to want to hike.
markv
If you have interest in the PCT attend the ADZPCTKO event in Apr. It’s and easy drive from OC (I assume you’re referring to Orange County). More info: http://adzpctko.org/
If you’re interested in hooking up with other backpackers for a variety of backpacking opportunities in So. Cal. try: http://www.meetup.com/LosAngelesBackpackersClub/
Info about an upcoming local event with gear info and experienced backpackers is here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=86779
Hope to meet you on the trail someday Morgan. I’m located Pasadena.
Still Lookin’
If you have interest in the PCT attend the ADZPCTKO event in Apr. It’s and easy drive from OC (I assume you’re referring to Orange County). More info: http://adzpctko.org/
If you’re interested in hooking up with other backpackers for a variety of backpacking opportunities in So. Cal. try: http://www.meetup.com/LosAngelesBackpackersClub/
Info about an upcoming local event with gear info and experienced backpackers is here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=86779
Hope to meet you on the trail someday Morgan. I’m located Pasadena.
Still Lookin’
If you’re interested in the PCT be sure to attend the ADZPCTKO event in Apr. It’s an easy drive from your location: http://adzpctko.org/
Want to hookup with like minded backpackers for local and some long range trips try:
http://www.meetup.com/LosAngelesBackpackersClub/
An upcoming event locally is this: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=86779
You are not alone (even in OC). Hope to meet you on trail someday Morgan.
Still Lookin’
Thanks everyone! I have joined a few hiking groups to get myself into the swing of things and hopefully meet some experienced hikers there!! This has all been incredibly helpful!! Keep it coming 
Morgan