Oregon PCT Highlights: 5 Surprising Moments That Made This Section Unforgettable

When people talk about the Pacific Crest Trail, it’s usually the High Sierra or the dramatic, knife-edge ridge lines of Washington that get the spotlight. The tallest peaks. The gnarliest climbs. The most jaw-dropping moments.

But Oregon?

It’s often treated like a layover. A fast-forward button. A chance to pick up speed, chase mileage goals, and maybe try the 24-hour challenge to Timberline Lodge for the buffet.

So when I crossed into Oregon after what felt like a lifetime in California, I was ready to crush miles and make moves. I had zero expectations. I figured it would be smooth, speedy, and forgettable - definitely not a section full of Oregon PCT highlights worth remembering.

I was wrong.

Crossing into Oregon after 1,600+ miles of California, I didn’t expect much. But this sign marked the beginning of some of the most surprising and memorable Oregon PCT highlights of my entire hike.

Oregon turned out to be one of the most magical sections of my entire thru-hike.

From surreal volcanic lakes to meteor showers, endless swim spots to surprise alpine giants, it delivered over and over again.

Not because I slowed down—because the beauty demanded attention. The lakes were too inviting. The mountains too surprising. The berries too abundant. The moments too magical.

So here are 5 moments that made me fall in love with Oregon (plus a few bonus ones I’ll never forget).

1. Crater Lake & the Rim Trail

Let’s get one thing straight: Crater Lake is surreal!!

The blue is otherworldly. Like, no photo—no matter how edited or enhanced—comes close. You have to see it to believe it.

It’s the deepest volcanic lake in the U.S., formed by the collapse of a volcano and now holding a volcano inside a volcano (shoutout to Wizard Island). Standing on the rim, I remember thinking to myself, “Is this even real?”

Most hikers opt for the alternate Rim Trail instead of the official PCT route here—and you should too. The views are nonstop, and the sense of scale is humbling.

And if you want to really experience it? Hitch down to the lake (super easy from the trail and jump in. That’s right—you can cliff jump into a volcano! I did. It was cold, invigorating, and easily one of the top memories of the entire trail.

Crater Lake is hands down one of the top Oregon PCT highlights, and if you skip the Rim Trail or the swim, you’re missing out on something truly unforgettable.

Crater Lake didn’t even look real. That blue? Unreal. Standing on the edge of this ancient volcano, I knew this would be one of the top Oregon PCT highlights.

2. Mt. Thielsen: The Lightning Rod and a Meteor Shower

Oregon’s not all soft and gentle—enter: Mt. Thielsen.

This jagged, dramatic peak appears out of nowhere, slicing the skyline like a dagger. Nicknamed the “Lightning Rod of the Cascades,” and when you see it, you'll understand why.

You don’t climb Thielsen, but you hike right beneath it. And you feel its energy—like a call to stay alert, stay humble, and keep walking.

Mt. Thielsen, the Lightning Rod of the Cascades, felt like a dagger in the sky. You don’t climb it—but you feel its power as you hike beneath it. One of the most striking Oregon PCT highlights.

I was lucky enough to arrive in this section during the Perseid meteor shower. I found the perfect campsite tucked between a creek where I soaked my feet and a viewpoint just above where I cowboy camped under the stars. Mt. Thielsen watched over me as I laid back and took in the show—dozens of streaking meteors cutting across the sky.

No tent. No noise. Just the stars, the mountain, and a memory I’ll carry forever.

Cowboy camping under the Perseid meteor shower, with Mt. Thielsen in the distance and a creek at my feet. One of those rare, perfect Oregon PCT highlights I’ll never forget.

3. Huckleberry Heaven (and a Little Warning)

You don’t expect a foraging feast on a long-distance hike, but Oregon delivers.

Midway through Oregon, the trail becomes a huckleberry wonderland. Blue-stained fingers, purple lips, and zero regrets.

I stopped constantly. “Just a few more…” turned into half-hour berry breaks. The taste was wild, sweet, and exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

But… you’re not the only one who loves huckleberries. Keep your eyes open because bears absolutely love huckleberry season too!

Berry-stained fingers, purple lips, and zero regrets. Oregon’s huckleberry season turned the trail into a wild snack bar—but don’t forget, the bears love it too.

4. Mt. Jefferson & the Lake Life

I wasn’t expecting Oregon to have such show-stopping mountains—everyone talks about how “flat” this section is. But Mt. Jefferson? It's absolutely stunning.

I was deep into a 30+ mile day when Jefferson kept peeking through the clouds. I was tired. My legs were heavy. But that mountain against a blue sky stopped me every time. It was like a little reward for keeping going.

And the lakes. Oh, the lakes. Oregon might not have the High Sierra’s altitude or snowfields, but it absolutely wins in swim spots.

Every day, it felt like I passed another crystal-clear lake just begging for a plunge. Even if I was feeling the pressure to push miles, jumping into a lake was a non-negotiable. The water was cold. The feeling? Revived, every single time.

Don’t skip the swims. You’ll regret it if you do.

Mt. Jefferson kept popping through the clouds on a long 30+ mile day—like a reward for every step. Oregon isn’t flat, and this view was pure magic.

5. Mt. Hood, the Buffet, and Full-On Hiker Trash Joy

Mt. Hood felt like a monument. Hiking toward it, the terrain opens up and suddenly you see this snow-covered giant standing tall ahead.

Then—Timberline Lodge. Fancy. Historic. Magical.

And there I was, rolling in with dusty legs and a questionable smell, ready to demolish the famous buffet. Smoked salmon. Fresh pastries. Bottomless lattes. I nearly forgot I was on the PCT for a second.

There are even free PCT hiker showers in the parking lot—though it’s literally a converted porta-potty. I remember thinking: “This is peak hiker trash… and I love every part of it.”

Mt. Hood rising behind us, bellies full from Timberline’s legendary buffet, and trail grime still intact. Peak views, peak hiker trash, peak joy.

Bonus Oregon PCT Highlight: Eagle Creek’s Waterfalls

Okay, technically not the PCT, but… if you’re ending in Cascade Locks and conditions allow, this alternate is worth every step.

The Eagle Creek Trail is full of lush forest, tunnels behind waterfalls, and the most inviting swimming holes that make you feel like you’ve wandered into a secret world.

Tunnel Falls, in particular, is mind-blowing—you walk behind a roaring wall of water, carved straight through the cliff.

It feels like a scene out of a fantasy novel. Oregon showing off, one last time.

That day felt special. Sacred, almost. I swam, I lingered, and soaked it all in. Then it was time to cross the Bridge of the Gods into Washington—and just like that, Oregon was done.

Tunnel Falls felt like something out of a dream. I lingered here with the biggest smile, soaking in one of the most magical Oregon PCT highlights before crossing into Washington.

Final Thoughts: Oregon PCT Highlights That Surprised Me

Oregon isn’t flashy. She doesn’t yell for attention. Oregon gives you space to breathe.

It’s fast—but not forgettable. Gentle—but not boring.

But she’s full of unexpected wonder—blue volcanic lakes, endless berry snacks, starry nights beneath sharp peaks, and more lake swims than you can count.

It’s where I remembered that joy matters. That beauty isn’t always loud. That a handful of huckleberries and a good sunrise can change everything.

Don’t skip Oregon. Don’t rush through her. These Oregon PCT highlights—from crater swims to meteor showers—are the moments that stay with you long after you’ve crossed the Bridge of the Gods.

Want to hike the Oregon PCT or plan your first long-distance trail?

Let’s work together: Coaching + Mentorship for First-Time Thru-Hikers & Backpackers

Join the Wild Hearts Club: Newsletter Sign-Up

Follow my adventures on instagram | @_itsmechickpea