7 weeks on the PCT

imported
#1

If you had 7 weeks to spend on the PCT (July 1 to Aug 20-ish), which would you rather - Tuolomne to Crater Lake or Crater Lake to Manning? Or some other area?

Thanks!
Sophie

Sophie

#2

crater lake to manning

neighbor

#3

If it were later in the year, definitely Crater Lake to Manning Park. But starting July 1st, you’ll have some pretty bad mosquito problems, and still snow problems in a couple places too.

So considering conditions, probably Tuolumne to Crater Lake. -or- come up with a skip. Start Tuolumne to maybe Truckee, then skip to Manning and go south for awhile.

markv

#4

Crater Lake to Manning.

Just keep an eye on Posholer.com for snowpack info. You should be good to go unless there is unseasonably cold late Spring & therefore a slow melt…

freebird

#5

Just to be contrary, I’d suggest looking at Tuolumne to Crater. Here is why:

  1. Oregon is pretty dull and un-interesting in comparison to what came before and what will come after it. There is a great stretch near the Three Sisters and Mount Jefferson, and a kinda fun spot near Hood. The skeeters will be bad and the water in OR is truly awful (thin, warm lake water).

  2. The good stuff in WA, with the exception of about 10 miles around the Goat Rocks and 3 around Adams, is pretty dull until you get to Snoqualmie Pass. From there north it is pure gold.

  3. The best section, I think, on the PCT in CA is from Tuolumne north to Sonora Pass. Yes, that includes the southern Sierra.

  4. The Russian River, Marble Mountain, and Trinity Alps wildernesses are gorgeous and people tend not to go there because they really are in the middle of nowhere.

  5. I thought Hat Creek Rim was really swell. Sure, this is only a 20ish mile stretch, but it was really pretty in a perverse sort of way.

  6. If you go to Tuolumne, you can visit the Whoa Nellie Deli down in Lee Vining at the Union 76. This has the best eats on the entire PCT.

  7. Spend a night up at the fire look out above Sierra City. I wish I had done this when I hiked.

Crater to Manning will also be fine and you’ll finish on a great section of trail, with more than 200 miles of spectacular scenery in WA. Either choice will be good.

Suge

#6

Thanks everyone! I am leaning toward Tuolomne to Crater… all these reponses really helped.

Sophie

#7

I second Suge’s point #7.

I stayed up there on my first PCT hike in '97 & it was one of the most memorable nights on my hike that year. Awesome sunset & sunrise from one of the best perches in the country. (just be sure that thunderstorms are not in the forecast or high winds…)

My favorite section of the PCT is the Pasayton Wilderness near the Canadian Border. Northern WA (including the closed Glacier Peak area) has some of the wildest terrain on the West Coast - that’s why I would lean towards the northern segment. (the downside is that when its rainy in WA, which is quite often, it sucks)

Happy Trails!

freebird