Fred. W. Cleator had led the Forest Service's design of the Skyline Trail through Oregon beginning in 1920 and planned an extension through Washington.

In 1932 Clinton C. Clarke, chairman of the Mountain League of L.A., organized the Pacific Crest Trail System Conference to unite outdoor groups in advocating for the trail. Clarke is known as the "Father of the Pacific Crest Trail" for this reason. The first conference included the Boy Scouts,