What follows is a select, annotated bibliography of practical, informative and inspirational readings devoted to classic hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail.

The Thousand Mile Summer
in the Desert and High Sierra
By Colin Fletcher
Berkley: Howell North Books, 1965.

One of the world's premier walkers tell the story of his trip through Southern and Central California. Fletcher describes his journey with the humor and intense love of the outdoors that typify his writings, which include the backpacking how-to classic, The Complete Walker.

My First Summer in the Sierra
By John Muir
New York: Penguin Books, 1987.

Written in 1911, this book contains the recollections of one of America's most famous pioneer backcountry travelers. Muir speaks elegantly about the geology, plant and animal life and above all, about the breathtaking beauty of the High Sierra.

Present-Day Hiker Narratives

Along The Pacific Crest Trail
By Karen Berger and Daniel R. Smith
Englewood, Colorado: Westcliffe Publishers, 1998.

This coffee table book contains the story of the 1997 PCT thru-hike of the author of this bibliography and his wife, GORP hiking expert Karen Berger. Includes more than 100 beautiful full-page photographs of the views along the Pacific Crest Trail by Washington-based photographer Bart Smith.

The Trail North: A Solo Journey on the Pacific Crest
By David Green
Covelo, California: Island Press, 1981.

The story of a 16-year-old's summer-long, solo horse-packing trip along the Pacific Crest Trail. Fine insights into the authors growing pains and experiences as he learns to live in wilderness.

Soul, Sweat and Survival on the Pacific Crest Trail
By Bob Hotel
Livermore, California: Bittersweet Publishing Company, 1994.

The first person to run the PCT tells the story of his three long-distance trips. Also contains a list of his gear and a weekly summary of his distances and elevation gains.

Journey on the Crest: Walking 2600 miles from Mexico to Canada
By Cindy Ross
The Mountaineers Books, 1987.

The story of a woman's two long-distance hikes along the PCT. Full of insights into the personal growth involved in a long distance hiking experience.