Pacific Crest Trail Association

Hi, I’m Liz Derstine, and this summer I’m attempting a self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail—a 2,650-mile journey from Mexico to Canada through some of the most beautiful and wild places in the West.

Right now, the trail needs our help. Severe winter storms have caused major damage, and recent federal budget cuts have halted many planned repairs. The Pacific Crest Trail Association, which helps care for the trail, is operating with approximately one-third less federal grant money than anticipated. That means:

I’m raising funds to support the PCTA’s work to restore and protect the trail—not just for long-distance hikers, but for everyone who finds joy, peace, or a sense of wonder in the outdoors.

All donations go directly to the Pacific Crest Trail Association and are tax-deductible. Every gift helps protect the trail for future generations. Any donation of $25 and up will give you an annual membership to the PCTA.

Thank you so much for your support!

Liz

Help Protect the Pacific Crest Trail – Now More Than Ever

This year, I am setting out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)—a 2,650-mile journey from Mexico to Canada through some of the most breathtaking and rugged landscapes in the country. It’s an immense challenge, but one I’ve been preparing for and dreaming about for years. However, I know I can’t do it alone—and neither can the PCT.

The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is the backbone of the PCT, working tirelessly to protect, maintain, and advocate for this iconic trail. They coordinate thousands of volunteers to clear fallen trees, repair eroded sections, and ensure safe passage for hikers. They fight for land protection, preventing development that could threaten the trail’s integrity. They partner with federal agencies to ensure responsible stewardship, and they advocate for policies that keep our National Scenic Trails funded and protected.

But right now, the PCTA is facing one of its biggest challenges yet. Federal budget cuts and mass layoffs at agencies like the U.S. Forest Service—which recently let go of 10% of its workforce—have put immense strain on trail management efforts. Funding for the PCTA’s cooperative agreements with these agencies has been paused indefinitely, forcing the organization to cancel six Field Project Specialist positions and 56 weeks of essential trail crew projects.

At a time when wildfires along the PCT are becoming more frequent and severe, these cuts couldn’t come at a worse moment.

That’s why I’m asking for your help.

I have set a goal to raise $2,650—one dollar for every mile of the PCT—and I will personally match $0.25 for every dollar raised!

By donating to the PCTA, you’re not just supporting my journey—you’re directly helping to:

• Restore lost trail crew positions and put experts back to work.

• Maintain and repair wildfire-damaged sections of the trail.

• Protect public lands and keep the PCT safe from encroaching development.

• Advocate for federal funding to preserve our National Scenic Trails for generations to come.

The future of the PCT is at risk, but together, we can ensure its legacy endures. Our wild and scenic lands are facing an existential threat—now is the time to act.

Every dollar makes a difference. Please consider donating today to protect the PCT for hikers, adventurers, and nature lovers now and in the future.

To learn more about the Pacific Crest Trail Association, visit their website.

To follow my journey, check out my updates on Instagram.

Hi, I’m Mak, and this year I’m setting out to hike all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail - from the deserts of Southern California, through the high Sierra, and into the forests of the Pacific Northwest. But I’m not just walking for the adventure, I’m walking to give back to the trail that gives so much to so many!

I’m raising funds for the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) - the organization responsible for protecting, maintaining, and advocating for the PCT. Every step I take is in support of their mission to ensure this iconic trail remains open, wild, and accessible for future generations.

The PCT isn’t just a footpath. It’s a lifeline through some of the most beautiful and fragile landscapes in the American West. It’s a place of challenge, healing, reflection, and community. And it exists thanks to decades of behind-the-scenes work: negotiating land protections, maintaining tread and bridges, responding to wildfires, and mobilizing thousands of volunteers.

None of that happens without support—and that’s why I’m asking for your help.

My goal is to raise $10,000 for the PCTA, with 100% of donations going directly to their work on the ground: restoring trail sections damaged by fire and erosion, preserving public access, building bridges (literally and figuratively), and defending this national treasure from threats.

This journey will take me about 5 months and test every part of me. But what I get back from the trail and what we all get from preserving places like this is worth every blister and every uphill mile!

If you’ve ever found peace, perspective, or joy in the outdoors, I invite you to walk with me - by donating, sharing, or following along. Every dollar helps keep this trail wild, protected, and walkable.

Thank you for helping me give back to the PCT!

With gratitude and trail dust,

Mak