Norovirus sickens hikers on PCT

Dozens of hikers on California's Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) near Wrightwood fell ill with suspected norovirus starting May 20, 2026, prompting warnings about water sources and trail sanitation. A shared water cache left by trail angels—volunteers who stock supplies for thru-hikers—is the leading suspect for the outbreak, according to reports from affected hikers shared on PCT community forums and social media. Hikers described sudden onset of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and extreme fatigue, with some saying they "never felt so weak" after collapsing mid-hike. Wrightwood, a small mountain town at mile 369 of the 2,650-mile PCT, sits in the San Gabriel Mountains about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles. It's a key resupply stop for southbound thru-hikers entering California's high desert section from the Mojave. The PCT, which stretches from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington, sees 300-500 thru-hikers annually, plus thousands of section hikers. Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that spreads via contaminated food, water, surfaces, or person-to-person contact—common in close-knit trail communities where hikers share caches, shelters, and campsites. Symptoms hit 12-48 hours after exposure and last 1-3 days, but dehydration risks are amplified in remote backcountry with limited medical access. The CDC notes it's the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in U.S. settings like camps and cruise ships. Hikers first posted alerts on the PCT subreddit and Facebook groups on May 19-20, reporting 20-30 cases clustered around the Wrightwood cache. One hiker, username "TrailTrash2026," wrote: "Puked my guts out 24 hours after filling up at the highway cache. At least 5 others in camp same boat". By May 20, Newsweek tallied "dozens" affected, with some trail angels confirming contaminated water gallons. No official count exists yet, as PCT incidents rely on self-reporting to the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) or Angeles National Forest rangers. The PCTA issued a May 20 advisory urging avoidance of the Wrightwood cache and boiling/treating all water, citing "multiple confirmed norovirus cases" from hiker stool tests at a local clinic. Forest Service officials told Newsweek testing is underway on cache samples. Past PCT norovirus spikes include a 2018 Sierra Nevada outbreak sickening 50+ hikers from shared springs, and a 2023 Oregon section with 15 cases tied to a contaminated privy. Thru-hikers face elevated risk due to fatigue, poor hygiene after long days, and communal resources—PCTA data shows gastrointestinal illness accounts for 20% of early quits. PCTA recommends: Treat all water with filters (0.2-micron or UV), boil 1 minute above 6,500 feet, or use chemical tabs; dig catholes 6-8 inches deep, 200 feet from water; hand-wash with soap or use sanitizer (>60% alcohol); avoid sharing utensils. Sick hikers should leave the trail, isolate, and seek electrolytes—local hostels in Wrightwood are offering recovery bunks. Check PCTA's trail conditions page or apps like FarOut for real-time alerts before hitting Wrightwood; the PCTA plans a June virtual town hall on 2026 health risks. With peak thru-hike season underway, sanitation compliance could prevent wider spread through the desert and Sierra sections.