Triple Crown Treks
Group of hikers at the Pacific Crest Trail Southern Terminus monument on the California border
BeginnerPacific Crest Trail · San Diego, California

Intro to Thru-Hiking

Walk the first section of the Pacific Crest Trail — and discover what you're made of.

7
days total
5
days on trail
~40
miles
beginner
difficulty
8 max
group size
Lake Morena to Sunrise Trailhead
route
Is This You?

Who This Trek Is For

  • First-time backpackers
  • Aspiring PCT thru-hikers
  • Solo travelers looking for community
  • Hikers craving a confidence-boosting adventure
What You'll Experience

Life On Trail

Whether you're dreaming of a thru-hike or just want to dip your toes into the long-distance trail life, this 5-day guided trek (7 days total) from Lake Morena to Sunrise Trailhead is the perfect place to start. You'll hike through golden desert hills, sleep under the stars, and learn the core skills every backpacker needs — all in a supportive group of fellow adventurers.

Group of hikers at the PCT Southern Terminus monument
Sunset over the Southern California desert mountains along the PCT
Backpackers posing together on a desert ridge in Southern California
Day By Day

Itinerary Overview

  1. 1

    Day 1Meet in San Diego

    Group grocery run, welcome dinner & orientation.

  2. 2

    Day 2Shuttle to the trailhead

    Shuttle to Campo & Lake Morena, begin hiking, wild camp.

  3. 3

    Day 3Hiking north

    Continue hiking north, learn backpacking skills on trail.

  4. 4

    Day 4Mount Laguna

    Arrive in Mount Laguna, meal in town & resupply, continue north and wild camp.

  5. 5

    Day 5Hiking north

    Continue hiking north.

  6. 6

    Day 6Return to San Diego

    Return shuttle to San Diego, stop for apple pie, beach celebration & final night in accommodation.

  7. 7

    Day 7Departure

    Departure from San Diego.

What's Included

  • 5-day guided backpacking trip on the PCT (Lake Morena to Sunrise Trailhead, ~40 miles)
  • First & last night of accommodation in San Diego
  • Transportation from San Diego to the trailhead & return from Sunrise Trailhead
  • Supportive group environment with space to go at your own pace
  • Trail education: water filtering, camp setup, resupply, Leave No Trace, and more
  • Welcome orientation in San Diego
  • Packing and food planning guidance before the trip
  • Complete PCT thru-hiking guide (200+ pages)

What's Not Included

  • Welcome dinner in San Diego
  • Personal backpacking gear (we'll guide you every step of the way)
  • Meals (you'll bring your own trail food)
Difficulty

What “beginner” Means Here

This is a Beginner trek — no backpacking experience required. Expect 8–12 miles a day at a group-friendly pace, with breaks built in. If you can walk comfortably with a 25–35 lb pack and do some cardio in the months beforehand, you'll be in great shape.

Fitness Expectations

Comfortable walking 8–12 miles a day with a 25–35 lb backpack. Some light training beforehand (walking or hiking a few times a week, building up mileage) is a great idea — we'll send a simple prep guide once you're signed up.

Gear

What You'll Need

Don't have gear? No worries — most of our hikers are beginners. Bring your own, or use full gear rental options available after booking.

Your Guides

Who You'll Hike With

Katie ‘Trip’ Dominguez (‘Trip’)

Katie ‘Trip’ Dominguez

Trip

I'm from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. I graduated in 2024 with a degree in Psychology and Spanish, and hiked the PCT immediately after graduation — it changed the trajectory of my life. Now I travel full-time and lead group trips, though my favorite endeavor by far is this one. My heart is happiest in the mountains, in good company.

2,890 miles · WFA · EMT-B · CPR

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Caroline ‘Granny Candy’ Roper (‘Granny Candy’)

Caroline ‘Granny Candy’ Roper

Granny Candy

I hiked the PCT in 2025. Growing up, I spent summers in the mountains of NorCal not far from the trail, so it was always a childhood dream of mine. I love everything about trail life — the connection to nature, the space to let your mind wander, the way little things become absolutely luxurious. I'm so excited to introduce you to PCT life and all that comes with it!

2,650 miles · WFA · EMT-B · CPR

Hikers Say

From The Trail Family

I met 6 strangers. We spent 5 days together in the wilderness, tired and stinky. By the end of the 5 days, we were family and I was looking for any way to hold on to all of them. I will never be the same.

Mystery

PCT · October 2025 Trek

I absolutely loved going on my first backpacking trip with Katie! She was so understanding and helpful whenever I had any questions! I can't wait to see what future hikes she does.

Cocoa

PCT · October 2025 Trek

I was expecting to have fun with some outdoor time but ended up experiencing the world with an incredible group that changed my life. I'll DEFINITELY be signing up for another trek with Triple Crown Treks!

Giggle Mafia

PCT · October 2025 Trek

The trail is truly magical — the views and living out in the wilderness, you just feel so free and alive. Being able to make core memories and nonstop laugh with your new besties is truly what made the trip the most magical.

Mayhem

PCT · October 2025 Trek

Dates

Available Departures

Oct 5 – Oct 11, 2026

Women OnlyOpen

Max 5 hikers

A $250 nonrefundable deposit reserves your spot; the remaining balance is due 45 days before the trek unless you're booking inside that window, in which case full payment is required. Questions first? Email hello@triplecrowntreks.com to ask about this trek.

Questions

Trek FAQ

Is this trek women-only?

Yes — the October 2026 California departure is a women-only group. Triple Crown Treks also runs co-ed departures on other treks.

I've never backpacked before. Will I be okay?

Yes — most of our hikers are total beginners. We'll teach you everything from pitching your tent to filtering water, and you'll never be the only one learning as you go.

Ready to hike San Diego, California?

View Departures

From

$695

Reserve Spot