How I Got My Trail Name

The first time I gave Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers a ride, they gave me a great new name.

The PCT, Trail Angels, and Trail Magic

The PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) is one of several long-distance hiking trails in the US, stretching from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington.

No one really knows how many people thru-hike the full PCT each year (over 2,600 miles), but according to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, several thousand thru-hike permits are issued each year, and last year (2024), 734 hikers self-reported that they had completed the PCT. In addition to the thru-hikers, there are also "section hikers" who are typically hiking all or most of the trail, but in smaller sections, often separated by weeks or even years between sections. On the other end of the spectrum from thru-hikers, there are also "day hikers" out for a day or two.

Most thru-hikers, and many section hikers, rely on some form of support, often from friends or loved ones at home who are mailing them packages. Additionally, many get support from an informal and loosely-organized group of self-described volunteers known as "trail angels".

I'm a trail angel, and a couple of times a year, I provide rides to and from the PCT trailheads, mostly in Western Washington. This is sometimes known as a form of "trail magic", although that term can mean many other things, and is most frequently associated with more organized efforts to feed hungry hikers - mostly I just give folks rides.

Trail Names

Most thru-hikers, and many section hikers and trail angels, have "trail names." There is a ton of lore and guidelines and passion around trail names, much of which is trail-specific, and I will spare you all that for the very simple reason that I just pretty much don't even have a clue how it all works. I DO know, however, that being offered a trail name by hardcore thru-hikers who just walked over 2,600 miles is one heck of an honor. I know that because it happened to me on my very first trail magic run.

My First Trail Magic Run

Since this was my first ever trail magic of any kind, I tried to keep it super-simple, and so I planned a quick run up to Lion's Den to pick up four folks looking for a ride into Seattle. Lion's Den is a hiker haven and trail magic community near Mazama, Washington, run by Mary (Lion) -- one of the most generous and kind-hearted trail angels you'll ever meet.

I showed up, checked in with Lion, picked up the four folks, and headed toward Seattle. They were all thru-hikers, and all had amazing PCT stories, as well as some poignant thoughts on finishing and heading back to their off-trail lives. I let them know this was my first trail angel run, and got some tips.

Mostly I was enjoying just listening and asking a question here and there, but I didn't really have many PCT-related contributions, so whenever it was my turn to talk, I figured I'd share some of what I knew about the local area we were driving through. I'd lived here for 20+ years and had spent quite a bit of time out in the area as a recreational hiker and search and rescue volunteer, and knew a bit about the area.

I pointed out and described former wildfire scars, described the rather unique nature of Newhalem as a company town, talked about how Darrington had been snowed in for an entire winter recently, pointed out the location of several scenes from movies, and mentioned a few other bits that I thought they might find interesting. I was initially concerned that I might be boring the hell out of them with a bunch of irrelevant trivia, but they seemed genuinely intrigued and even started asking me questions! I actually surprised MYSELF with some of the answers, and how much interesting information and fun trivia I knew about the area.

It's about a four-hour drive, and we stopped a few times for snacks and gas, and most importantly, to take a few rest breaks. These rest breaks are, ironically, extremely important to give the hikers a chance to walk around a bit to stretch their legs. I learned right away that especially for thru-hikers finishing, these early and frequent rest breaks while driving are VERY important and highly appreciated. These folks have literally just spent the last few months WALKING, continuously, day-in and day-out with only a few exceptions, and I can only imagine how sitting in a cramped car for a couple of hours can feel after that. I don't really enjoy sitting in a cramped care that long, and most day's I feel lucky if I get 10,000 steps in.

The Moment

When we got near Seattle, at one of these rest stops, one of the folks pulled me aside, and in a surprisingly solemn and earnest tone, let me know: "I know this is your first trail magic, but we talked, and we already have a trail name for you. Do you want to know what it is?"

I was surprised (and, truth be told, a little worried), but I said "sure."

"It's Tour Guide."

I absolutely chuckled, because I TOTALLY got where that came from! I was especially impressed at how quickly they came up with it and how obviously it fits. I love it.

So I'm Tour Guide now.

I've done a handful more of these trail angel runs since, and even tried a tiny bit of additional trail magic with just a cooler full of cold soda, and this summer I'm looking forward to joining some more seasoned trail angels for even more elaborate trail magic.

I hope to see you out there!

- Tour Guide (Tim Johns)