Pacific Crest Trail - Crater Lake to Fish Lake

On the Pacific Crest Trail, how long might it take to hike from Crater Lake south to Fish Lake? I will be there in July.

I have never hiked in this area. What is the trail like here? Is it clearly marked - I don't want to get lost. What is the elevation like? Any other tips you can provide would be very helpful.

Thanks!

Do a Yahoo or Google search-there are dozens of websites with PCT info on them. Amazon has about 100 different books on the PCT listed on their site. B&N probably has many of them as well. Stores like REI or Adventure 16 probably have some in their book departments.

I assume that you mean Fish Lake reservoir, about 40-50 miles south of Crater Lake, between Medford and Klamath Lake. There are a half dozen Fish Lakes on or very close to the PCT heading south from Crater Lake, but this is the first large one. Obviously it depends on how fast you hike, whether you take lots of "Kodak moments", etc. This year has been fairly dry in the northern part of Oregon, but it is still dumping snow as you get to the California border and further south (a foot is expected today in the Tahoe area). I would expect Crater Lake to Fish Lake Reservoir to be in good shape by July. But check with the Crater Lake and USFS rangers (phone calls are cheap insurance). The PCT is pretty well marked in that area, and as Tom said, there are lots of books and web sites, plus the PCT is pretty well marked on USGS maps. The computerized map programs, like Topo! and most of the trail-planning ones that cover the West, have enough detail that you should have no problem with the navigation, if you have the basics down.

My guess, knowing nothing about your hiking style, is that it would take about 4-5 days. This leaves time to take pictures and enjoy the sights.