<P> The Pacific Crest Trail System Conference was formed by Clarke to both plan the trail and to lobby the federal government to protect the trail . The conference was founded by Clarke, the Boy Scouts, the YMCA, and Ansel Adams (amongst others). From 1935 through 1938, YMCA groups explored the 2000 miles of potential trail and planned a route, which has been closely followed by the modern PCT route . </P> <P> In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson defined the PCT and the Appalachian Trail with the National Trails System Act . The PCT was then constructed through cooperation between the federal government and volunteers organized by the Pacific Crest Trail Association . In 1993, the PCT was officially declared finished . </P> <P> Thru hiking is a term used in referring to hikers who complete long - distance trails from end to end in a single trip . The Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide Trail were the first three long - distance trails in the U.S.. Successfully thru - hiking all of these three trails is known as the Triple Crown of Hiking . Thru - hiking is a long commitment, usually taking between four and six months, that requires thorough preparation and dedication . The Pacific Crest Trail Association estimates that it takes most hikers between six and eight months to plan their trip . </P> <P> While most hikers travel from the Southern Terminus at the Mexico--US border northward to Manning Park, British Columbia, some hikers prefer a southbound route . In a normal weather year, northbound hikes are most practical due to snow and temperature considerations . Additionally, some hiker services are seasonal and may be better timed for northbound hikers . If snowpack in the Sierra Nevada is high in early June and low in the Northern Cascades, some hikers may choose to' flip - flop .' Flip - flopping can take many forms but often describes a process whereby a hiker begins at one end (on the PCT, usually the southern end) of the trail and then, at some point, like reaching the Sierra,' flips' to the end of the trail at the Canada--US border and hikes southbound to complete the trail . However, it is not currently possible to legally enter the United States from Canada by using the Pacific Crest Trail . </P>

Where does the pacific coast trail start and end