A nasty "stomach flu" has ripped through a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail in California, sidelining dozens of hikers in early to mid-May and turning a dream trek into a miserable ordeal. Reports center on the Wrightwood area east of Los Angeles, where thru hikers often resupply and share water caches. Hikers have described sudden, uncontrollable vomiting followed by days of exhaustion so intense that at least one person had to be airlifted because they were too weak to continue safely.
Trail managers flag an outbreak
According to The Sacramento Bee, the Pacific Crest Trail Association said in an Instagram post that it is aware of a "gastrointestinal illness" clustered in the Wrightwood area and is working with local health officials. Social media posts and trail forums cited by reporters describe roughly two dozen hikers with similar symptoms and, in some accounts, seven to 12 medically confirmed norovirus cases.
Public health context
Noroviruses cause intense vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps and typically run their course in one to three days, although people can remain contagious for up to 48 hours after symptoms stop, the California Department of Public Health advises. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that norovirus causes about 19 to 21 million illnesses and more than 100,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States, a sobering backdrop for anyone getting violently sick miles from the nearest road.
Possible source: a shared water cache
Trail volunteers have zeroed in on a Swarthout Valley water cache between Cajon Pass and Mount Baden Powell as a possible source, after two people camping nearby showed symptoms in early May. In response, volunteers swapped out open jugs for sealed bottles, The Inertia reported. Because norovirus can incubate in as little as 12 to 48 hours, volunteers warned that contamination might have started earlier along the route and then spread quickly among hikers who had just resupplied.
Town closures and rescues
At least one hiker was flown to a medical facility in Lancaster after becoming too weak to walk and was diagnosed with norovirus, while several trail-facing businesses responded by ramping up cleaning or temporarily closing their doors, SFGATE reported. The Pacific Crest Trail Association said it is continuing to monitor the situation and is prepared to support public health officials with outreach and messaging.
How hikers can reduce risk
Health officials recommend frequent handwashing with soap and water, noting that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are less effective against norovirus. They also advise keeping used bottles and dirty gear separate from clean supplies and disinfecting common surfaces with bleach solutions. People who are sick should avoid preparing food for others for at least 48 hours after their symptoms end, according to public health guidance. Hikers showing signs of severe dehydration are urged to seek medical care or contact local emergency services or trail partners for help.
