This magnificent trail traverses high mountains, deserts and snowfields through California, Oregon, and Washington State in a continuous path from Mexico to Canada cutting. The Pacific Crest boasts some of the greatest elevation changes of all the National Scenic Trails as it traverses many diverse ecosystems. Thousands of hikers enjoy this 2,600 mile trail each year, some for only a few miles or days, others hiking the entire length of the trail in one season. Congress designated this trail as one of the first National Scenic Trails in 1968.