I have an opportunity to backpack for about two weeks on the PCT in September. I was wondering if anyone could recommend me some good areas in the northern California, Oregon, and Washington areas? Thanks
Krammin
2 weeks on the PCT
system
#2
Snoqualmie Pass to Canada.
Approx 74 miles from Snoqualmie to Stevens Passes (on the PCT, with the detour it’s a bit longer). 4 to 5 days.
Approx 100 miles from Stevens to Stehekin via the original route around Glacier Peak (with the new bridge on the Suiattle, it’ll probably be a smidge longer). 5 to 7 days
Approx 80 miles from Stehekin to Canada. 4 to 5 days.
September, IF (and that’s a big IF) you can snag good weather, is a beautiful time to do this stretch. The fall colors are showing the North Cascades in all their glory.
A stretch I liked in Nor Cal was from I-5 at Castella north to Ashland. Etna was one of my fav town stops. The Marbles are beautiful. If you want more distance, continue to Crater Lake.
Token Civilian
system
#3
I don’t think I want to pull quite those miles. I’ll save that for my next thru hike haha.
Anyway the snoqualmie to stehikin sounds pretty doable for me. What is the terrain like through that area, and is there good resupply along the way??
Krammin
system
#4
There is one resupply in the Snoqualmie to Stehekin stretch, and that’s at Stevens Pass. Well, not exactly at Stevens Pass…you have to hitch west to Skykomish or east to Leavenworth. Most folks go west to Skykomish (or further down to Baring where the Dinsmores, trail angels, are located).
Snoqualmie to Stevens is a moderately difficult stretch. There is a fair chunk of elevation gain and loss. The initial climb out of Snoqualmie, for example, is ~3,000 feet or so (proper PCT route, not the detour route, which is in effect). But, you’re in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness for most of this. And it’s a beautiful section. I constanally recommend this as the first stretch of Washington for anyone to do.
From Stevens up to Stehekin, it’s about 17,000 or so identifiable vertical feet of climbing on the original route - all of which is in the first 80 miles. The last 20 miles, down Agnes Creek, is all down hill into Stehekin. This stretch, IMO, is the most physically demanding of the Washington sections. When going around Glacier Peak, it’s up over a ridge, down into the next drainage, repeat, and repeat, and repeat. The upside, you have Glacier Peak right there in your face practally the whole time you’re doing these climbs and descents. VERY beautiful.
But, the payoff…yeah, the payoff. From Snoqualmie to the border is first rate scenery and a fine way to finish a thru hike.
Token Civilian