The Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon changes in character subtly from that in Washington to the north. The section in Oregon is flatter, drier, more volcanic and less glaciated than Washington tracing a route along high ground with an average elevation of about 5,100 feet. Rolling hills cloaked in mountain hemlock and lodgepole pine forest are typical whilst the region generally is dotted with many sparkling lakes.
There are some unique landscape features that the PCT passes through or near. A standout is Crater Lake in Southern Oregon, a volcanic caldera about 7 miles in diameter now filled with beautiful turquoise water. The official PCT avoids the lake however there are alternative trails that provide lakeside views around the rim of the lake.
In the north there are a series of dormant volcanos such as Mt Hood which dominates the city of Portland, the Three Sisters, Mount Thielsen, Mt Jefferson and Three Fingered Jack. Although the PCT does not summit any of these it climbs high onto their slopes as it traverses round providing excellent and ever changing views.
Read on as we start hiking from the Washington border into Oregon……
A wee walk 
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