Triple Crown Treks
Alpine lake and forested mountains along the Pacific Crest Trail at sunset
IntermediatePacific Crest Trail · Ashland, Oregon

Forest to Crater

Walk a wild, beautiful stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail — and step into your next level as a backpacker.

7
days total
5
days on trail
~45
miles
intermediate
difficulty
8 max
group size
Summit Lake Campground to Diamond Lake Lodge
route
Is This You?

Who This Trek Is For

  • Beginner-to-intermediate backpackers
  • Hikers who've done a few trips and want to go farther
  • Aspiring thru-hikers building experience section by section
  • Solo travelers looking for community and connection
  • Anyone craving alpine lakes, quiet forests, and big Oregon energy
What You'll Experience

Life On Trail

This 5-day guided trek (7 days total) through Southern Oregon is designed for hikers ready to build on their backpacking foundation. Starting near Summit Lake and finishing at Diamond Lake, you'll move through quiet forest and alpine lakes — and cap it all off with a celebratory stop at iconic Crater Lake. You'll also hike through the highest point of the PCT in Oregon. This is about finding rhythm on trail, deepening confidence, and experiencing the magic of long-distance hiking in one of the most beautiful sections of the PCT.

Alpine lake and forested mountains along the PCT at sunset
Backpacker celebrating at an alpine lake on the Pacific Crest Trail
Day By Day

Itinerary Overview

  1. 1

    Day 1Meet in Ashland

    Group grocery run, welcome dinner & orientation.

  2. 2

    Day 2Shuttle to Summit Lake

    Shuttle to Summit Lake Campground, begin hiking, wild camp.

  3. 3

    Day 3Hiking north

    Continue hiking north, learn backpacking skills on trail.

  4. 4

    Day 4Hiking north

    Continue hiking north, learn backpacking skills on trail.

  5. 5

    Day 5Diamond Lake

    Continue hiking north & camp at Diamond Lake Lodge.

  6. 6

    Day 6Crater Lake

    Early morning lake swim, stop at Crater Lake, transport back to Ashland & final night in accommodation.

  7. 7

    Day 7Departure

    Departure from Ashland.

What's Included

  • 5-day guided backpacking trip on the PCT (Summit Lake Campground to Diamond Lake Lodge, ~45 miles)
  • First & last night of accommodation in Ashland
  • Transportation from Ashland to the trailhead & return
  • 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 Ashland
  • Packing and food planning guidance before the trip
  • Complete PCT thru-hiking guide (200+ pages)

What's Not Included

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

What “intermediate” Means Here

This is an Intermediate trek. It's still beginner-accessible, but expect more sustained mileage and Oregon's highest PCT elevation. Some prior hiking or backpacking experience is recommended — this is a natural next step after a trek like Intro to Thru-Hiking.

Fitness Expectations

Comfortable walking 8–12 miles a day with a 25–35 lb backpack across consecutive days. Prior hiking or a beginner backpacking trip will help you get the most out of this one.

Gear

What You'll Need

Don't have gear? No worries. 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

Dates

Available Departures

Sep 19 – Sep 25, 2026

CoedOpen

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 harder than the California trek?

It's a step up — similar daily mileage, but more remote, more elevation, and it's Oregon's highest point on the PCT. Some backpacking or hiking experience is recommended.

Is this trek women-only?

No — the September 2026 Oregon departure is co-ed.

Ready to hike Ashland, Oregon?

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From

$825

Reserve Spot