Picked the PCT over the CDT for my first long hike and kinda regret it

I had to choose between the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail for a 4 month window last summer, and I went with the PCT because I thought the water issues on the CDT would be too much. Turns out the PCT was SO crowded I spent half my time trying to find quiet campsites away from groups of 20 people partying at night. Has anyone else picked the more popular route and wished they went with the harder, quieter option?

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stellablack1mo ago

God, tell me about it. I did a section of the JMT a couple years back and it was the same circus. Thought I was getting solitude but ended up sharing every damn campsite with people blasting music and talking on speakerphone. Ended up hiking an extra mile past my planned stop just to find a spot where I couldn't hear someone's Bluetooth speaker. No regrets picking the harder trail next time.