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Just some of the flowers and cacti you may see along the Trail

There are many different species of tree on the PCT and each seems to have evolved to fill a particular niche in the ecosystem. Deciduous trees predominate at lower altitudes where there is sufficient water but in the mountains you see a wide variety of pine.

There is also an upper limit to tree-line, above which conditions are too harsh for any tree to survive. In Southern California the hardiest species eek out an existence at 9000ft on exposed ridges but in Washington you will find that trees struggle to survive on ridges at 6000ft.

You will see many dead or dying trees. In many areas they are suffering from beetle infestations, as well as problems caused by pollution and forest fires.

In Washington you will spend much of your time in what is described as temperate rainforest, with the profusion of vegetation you would expect when there is plenty of rain throughout the year.

For much of the PCT you will hike through areas of forest that are only very lightly managed. Often this consists of little more than keeping trails clear for hikers. Fallen trees are allowed to rot, providing habitat for insects and returning nutrition into the soil. Only in Northern California will you hike through areas of commercial forestry, and even here authorities try to ensure a ribbon of natural woodland remains along the route of the PCT.