This pocket-sized gift and souvenir photo book captures the beauty of America's quintessential wilderness hiking trail. From desert California to the Washington-Canada border, the compelling photography of Bart Smith brings the entire 2,650-mile trail to life.

This beautifully illustrated book, officially published with the Pacific Crest Trail Association in a pocket-sized gift and souvenir format, highlights this legendary footpath with more than 170 spectacular contemporary images taken by the foremost hiking photographer in America. Readers can experience the trail as if their boots were on the path--passing by the trail blazes, taking in the surrounding wilderness at scenic overlooks, meeting other hikers at lean-tos or shelters, and freezing at the sight of bear, elk, or other majestic wildlife. 
Designated as one of the first two national scenic trails in 1968, the Pacific Crest Trail is a continuous footpath of more than 2,650 miles--from the Mexican to the Canadian border. It is often called the "wilderness trail" because roughly half of it runs through federal wilderness--25 national forests, six national parks, five state parks, three national monuments, and 48 federal wilderness areas. The trail symbolizes everything there is to love--and protect--in the western United States. This book is perfect for anyone interested in conservation, outdoor recreation, or American history, or for those who dream of one day becoming thru-hikers themselves.

About The Author

Mark Larabee is the associate director of communications and marketing for the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the editor of its quarterly magazine, the PCT Communicator. A nationally recognized journalist, he spent 25 years as a newspaper reporter and editor, most recently for The Oregonian newspaper in Portland, Oregon, where he received the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news in 2007.  He is co-author of the 2016 Rizzoli publication, The Pacific Crest Trail He lives in Portland. 

Bart Smith is the first person to walk all 11 of America's national scenic trails.  His photography has been published in Smithsonian and National Geographic magazines, as well as in five coffee-table books. Bart has now walked and photographed more than 24,000 miles of trails, including each trail represented in this book. His website is www.walkingdownadream.com.

The nonprofit Pacific Crest Trail Association is the only organization dedicated solely to the preservation and protection of the Pacific Crest Trail. Widely recognized as the trail's champion and steward, the Sacramento, California-based PCTA achieves its work through the strength of its partnerships, staff, volunteers, and the rest of the PCT community.