PCT Data

PCTA offers downloadable GIS data for the PCT centerline and mile marker points. Our data is available in multiple formats, making it easy to use with a variety of GIS software and mapping platforms. The “centerline” is the most accurate representation of the trail line, adjusted annually to account for re-routes. Based on this, we also calculate precise mile marker points occurring every half-mile.

Both of these datasets are available on this page in a variety of formats, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This means that you are free to use, share, and adapt the data for any purpose (including commercial), as long as you give appropriate credit to the original source – Pacific Crest Trail Association. The data is also made compatible with OpenStreetMap. See below section: “Permission to incorporate data into OpenStreetMap” for details.

Downloads

Within each of the following accordions you’ll find downloads in the following formats:

File Geodatabase: A geospatial database file format used in ESRI software like ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro. Appears as a folder in file explorer, but shows its contents when viewed in ESRI applications.
Shapefile: A common file format for storing vector geospatial data, consisting of multiple files that contain geometry, attributes, and spatial information. It is often used in ESRI software, as well as others.
KMZ: A compressed file format used primarily in Google Earth, that can include placemarks, paths, overlays, and embedded images.
GPX: A file format used for storing GPS data, including waypoints, tracks, and routes. Note that the GPX files on this page are not currently loading on Garmin devices.
GeoJSON: A file format for encoding geospatial data in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. You’ll only find a GeoJSON file under the Full PCT section, and it is a simplified version of the PCT Centerline.

Full PCT Southern California Central California Northern California Oregon Washington

Changelog

Last Updated: April 2024

• Added Gaia GPS Public Folder link under Full PCT
• Pushed a fix to mile marker GPX data to include mileage in <name>/<desc> tags
• Added Full PCT geojson and mile marker geojson

2024 Annual Centerline / Mileage Updates:

• Some minor realignment data incorporated into the dataset in the Sierra Buttes area. Route was already on the ground prior to 2023, but hadn’t been added to the dataset yet. Mile markers for this area weren’t working properly in last year’s data. Added approx. .6mi to total trail length.
• Fixed mile markers in the several small stretches of trail beginning near Mile 583.5 for wind energy infrastructure. No change to overall mileage of PCT.

2023 Annual Centerline / Mileage Updates:

• Trail reconstruction in several small stretches of trail beginning near Mile 583.5 for wind energy infrastructure – added approx. 1.19mi of trail total.
• Bridge over Chips Creek near mile 1296.5, shortening the trail by approx. .2 miles
• Jefferson Park reroute near mile 2036 added around .66 miles of length

Web services

PCTA uses ArcGIS Online heavily to manage and display GIS data on the web. Data for our centerline and mile markers are stored in the cloud, and can be rendered in ArcGIS Online and some other web mapping clients. See the below feature service URLs:

Dataset	Feature Service URL	ArcGIS Online Item Page
PCT Centerline	Pacific Crest Trail Centerline Feature Service	https://pcta.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=71882372584549e3ab6b61fb9c1a0263
Mile Markers	Mile Markers 2024 Feature Service	https://pcta.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=4fb240c5116340c7b9bdbb43fa648f07

More about the data

PCTA’s data builds upon data that was donated to the organization from the Halfmile Project in 2016. The resulting data from this project’s multi-year effort was the best, most accurate data for the PCT of its time. Volunteers in the project mapped thousands of miles of trail with survey-grade custom and commercial GPS units and spent tremendous amounts of time analyzing, processing, and curating the results.

The data available for download on this page is an updated version of that same, highly accurate data from Halfmile, revised to account for re-routes and trail reconstruction that have happened since PCTA assumed control of the data. The data is featured on many PCTA and USFS maps, web applications, and graphics, as well as 3rd party maps and mobile apps.

PCTA updates the PCT Centerline with any alterations to the route on a yearly basis, and calculates mile markers on this same schedule. Data is released yearly in January and added to this page for download.

Permission to incorporate data into OpenStreetMap

With respect to all datasets on this page, PCTA agrees to the following:

1. Attribution by OpenStreetMap and its users through http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Contributors is sufficient to provide attribution to PCTA in a “reasonable manner” in accordance with Section 3(a)(1) of the CC BY 4.0 license.
2. PCTA waives Section 2(a)(5)(B) of the CC BY 4.0 license as to OpenStreetMap and its users with the understanding that the Open Database License 1.0 requires open access or parallel distribution of OpenStreetMap data.

Other data sources

The U.S. Forest Service also hosts some PCT data on the US Forest Service PCT webpage.

Contact us

Email Galen, PCTA’s GIS Specialist at [email protected] with any comments, concerns, or questions about PCT GIS Data.