Pacific Crest Trail Section Hike: Big Bear to Wrightwood California

Hot Springs, a trail angel named Grizzly Grandpa, the Mojave Desert River, the PCT McDonald’s, a rather big SoCal mountain, and MUCH MORE. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) runs towards the popular Ski/Summer Lake Towns of Big Bear Lake and Big Bear California, through Deep Creek Hot Springs, and up towards Mt San Antonio (aka Mt Baldy) before a chance to refuel again in the trail town of Wrightwood. In this article I share a 92 mile section hike of the trail that runs through this region of California. I am slowly section hiking the SoCal section (and then hopefully the rest) of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT for short) that is 2,650 miles in total. In this series we are covering each section I hike and hopefully providing tips and insights into how you can spend an afternoon to a few days at a time on this trail that stretches from Mexico to Canada! Or for several months as a thru-hiker!

IF HEADING NOBO (NORTHBOUND) ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL from the Cougar crest trailhead junction we begin this section at mile 277.6. THIS 92 MILE STRETCH IS WHAT I COVERED IN Six DAYS AS OUT AND BACK DAY HIKES AND point to point hikes. THERE IS AN OPTION TO TAKE the PCT up to Mount san antonion (which I would recommend unless weather is not good.) THE TOWNS OF Big Bear (both big bear lake and big bear city), hesperia, silverwood lake recreation area, and the world famous cajon pass mcdonalds are all good refuel and resupply stops. THis section hike ends near the trail town of wrightwood, which is located at about NOBO mile 369 on the PCT.

Big Bear to Wrightwood Pacific Crest Trail Need to Know’s:

1. The Mount San Antonio/Baldy add-on hike is about 8 miles round trip. It’s the highest point of Los Angeles County, it’s a shorter add on than Gorgonio but slightly longer than Jacinto. If you’re a peak bagger it’s an excellent addition for a half/full day!

2. The Deep Creek Hot Springs is right on the trail and is an excellent stop. A clothing optional hot springs! Wow the PCT has a little bit of everything.

3. Once you pass the Mojave River Dam until you leave Silverwood Lake you’ll always be close to the town of Hesperia if you need a resupply, however the roads the PCT intersects with aren’t super high traffic so if hitching is your plan be patient :).

4. You will need a National Parks Pass or a California Adventure Pass to park at Highway 18 or the Cougar Crest Trail. Pick one up at the Big Bear Discovery Center if you don’t already have one. You will need a California State Parks Pass or a day pass to Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area.

5. McDonald’s and Route 66 are located just off the trail when arriving at Cajon Pass. When I went in to get a McFlurry there were EIGHT thru-hikers in McDonald’s, basically one for every employee :)!

6. Wrightwood is a good resupply town if you’re doing this as a section or are thru-hiking, however you can fill up at Big Bear and resupply in Hesperia/the Chevron next to McDonald’s along the way if need be. Silverwood Lake has a seasonal campground store and can be another nice place to take a dip (after Deep Creek Hot Springs) if it’s hot.

7. There’s a new water cache located several miles past I-15 and Cajon Pass that was filled with over fifty three liter jugs for hikers when I went past in April of 2026.

8. The Mojave River crossing and the I-15 crossing can be a tad confusing so make sure you follow the signs and/or have your navigation going.

WHAT GEAR DO I USE AND LIKE THE MOST ON MY PCT SECTION HIKES?

1. Hoka One Kaha’s and Hoka Two GTX’s are my trusted shoes.

2. I use my REI 40 Liter Backpack.

3. Darn Tough Vermont and Merino Wool Socks from REI and SmartWool are my go to’s.

4. Osprey Water Bladder and Lifestraw Collapsible Filter for hydration.

5. I wear New Balance or Nike running shorts and much prefer that to more typical hiking shorts.

6. The PCTA and PCT Water Reports in addition to the Half Mile Maps and Trail Notes are outstanding resources (and could save your life…!)

7. I carry a Garmin GPS and if I were to thru hike I would use the Farout (used to be Guthook) App as well.

What else happened that was memorable during this section hike?

1. Getting to visit the most famous McDonald’s in California and seeing only thru-hikers inside was a funny experience! And the McFlurry after a 15 mile hiking day was on point.

2. Going up to the summit of Mt San Antonio/Baldy and standing on the top of LA County was memorable!

3. Deep Creek is cool and a little weird…the hot springs comes out of nowhere and it really makes you mesmerized by the landscape diversity changes in Southern California.

4. There are excellent taqueria’s in Hesperia you can take advantage if you’re day or section hiking…I definitely did!

5. Walking underneath another Interstate is always fun. Between the PCT and the AZT I have walked under three of them! I-10, I-15, and I-40 plus I-10 a second time!

6. My dog Cotopaxi came along for the section out of Big Bear. He really didn’t like hiking on the AT but he’s way more into the PCT, it’s always a joy to clobber miles on the trail with him!

7. It was spring break when I visited Silverwood Lake. Families fishing, hiking, picnicking, and youth groups kayaking. It’s a reminder of all the different ways to experience these places and it’s always nice to see people enjoying them as much as I do.

To me, this is another underrated section of the Socal Desert portion of the PCT. You get mountains, hot springs, trail towns, and strange landmarks like Route 66 and a Big Mac stop along the way. You get quiet rolling desert mountains that might be littered with wildflowers and cacti blooms if you’re so lucky! It’s a very unvisited portion for day hikers outside of the Baldy summit but it’s really accessible with paved roads and parking lots at numerous junctions.

The best way I would describe it is a place I probably wouldn’t have ventured to. And that’s why I LOVE hiking the scenic trails. They take me where you might not have chosen to visit, to where you might not look for a day hike, or to a town or area that is not recommended constantly for a visit. The PCT takes you to a California that is not on the vlogs or influencers top picks lists. It’s rugged, quiet, gorgeous, and unique. Which is exactly what I am looking for when I go, a different experience than normal.

I would recommend having your microspikes and/or paying attention close to the weather. In 2023 the number one reason PCT Thru-Hikers didn’t finish was snow and injury. (According to the PCTA Survey.) It can snow even in LA County at high elevations when you might not be expecting it. This isn’t always the most memorable sections according to PCT Thru-Hikers. But I have found charm and joy in all of the different sections i have done so far on the PCT and this one was no exception!

This 92 mile stretch was done in six long day hikes with some out and back miles on top of it at times. Have fun, prepare, and welcome to a stretch of big peaks, hot springs, and McDonald’s in the “desert” section of the PCT.

Thanks for reading and happy trails to you! Whether you are planning a thru, section, or day hike…or are a trail town local, trail angel, or just someone wanting to learn more about the Pacific Crest Trail…I hope the PCT gives you what you need! Don’t forget to Leave No Trace and pack your 10 Essentials!

Comment below with questions or your experience on hiking the PCT in the SoCal or specifically this section from the Cougar Crest Trailhead up to Wrightwood California.

Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R