Photos of Wildlife on the PCT

This page shows the wildlife that one is likely to see on the PCT.

Lizards

Lizards are to be found along the entire length of PCT, but they are most abundant in Southern California.

Horned lizard close-up.

Horned lizard with different coloring to match the surroundings.

Horned lizard with different coloring still. Sometimes you can pick them up.

Is this Western Fence lizard surveying his dominion or merely sunbathing? Either way, he appears highly self-content.

Male Western Fence lizards overcome by the "mentality of scarcity."

Alligator lizard close-up on tree bark.

Alligator lizard on leaves.

Not sure if these lizards are fighting or mating.

A wounded lizard. The snake that had caught it disappeared into the bushes when I walked up.

Snakes

Yes, there are snakes on the PCT. I saw at least a dozen rattlesnakes and nearly a dozen other snakes. The vast majority of them were in Southern California, but snakes can occasionally be seen on other parts of the trail as well.

Red diamond rattlesnake. When they coil up like this, they wil probably not budge. Don't try to make them move.

Red diamond rattlesnake. Stay away!

Gopher snake.

Northern Pacific rattlesnake?

Southern Pacific rattlesnake.

Garter snake.

Insects, spiders, amphibians, and other creepy crawlies

Insects are, as always, plentiful. Flies include non-biting varieties -- gnats that just want to relax in your ear canal and flies that want to lick up your sweat -- and the biting kinds: mosquitos, horseflies, and blackflies. Other kinds of insects abound, too. Spiders are very numerous, and you may even see a tarantula or two in Southern California, like I did. Finally, you're sure to see and hear lots of frogs. Snails and slugs are common in the moister areas.

Tarantula. It had just been stung by a special tarantula-eating wasp and was immobile.

Tarantula hole with hairy legs barely visible. It weaves a small web across the hole and waits for smaller creatures to fall in.

Beetles, um, humping.

Wasps with their nests right on the trail, near Agua Dulce, California. Watch your step!

Slug. I saw a lot of these in the Cascades.

Butterflies.

A frog in its element.

A sad thru-hiker trying to protect himself from the mosquitos of Southern Oregon.

Birds

I am not a birdwatcher, but you are sure to meet a few on the PCT. You will hear a lot of chickadees, squawking Stellar Jays, and sonorous warblers. And an occasional deep "whump-whump-whump" sound at higher elevations.

Quail.

Bird on the top of Mt. Whitney at nearly 14,500 feet above sea level.

This is the bird that makes that "whumping" sound. Ruffed grouse?

Pelican?

Grouse.

Owl.

Chickens huddling together for warmth.

Mammals

Deer are to be seen all along the PCT from Mexico to Canada. Squirrels and chipmunks are common in many locations, too. Hares or rabbits are seen in semi-arid and desert sections, while marmots and pikas reside at higher elevations. By the way, rodents can get into hikers' food at popular campsites. I also saw a mole (see video below). If you're lucky, you'll see some elk and mountain goats in the Washington Cascades. Predators include coyotes, bears, bobcats, and mountain lions, but wild cats almost always keep out of sight. You might hear or see coyotes in drier sections. You might see as many as half a dozen black bears, but these almost always run away from humans, except for heavily visited places like Yosemite National Park. Domesticated mammals on our near the trail include cattle, horses, and llamas.