My husband and I finished the AT in July and are wanting to begin the PCT next August on the northern section in Washington State. We would appreciate any info regarding the best sources for maps and general info for this section. Any help from anyone that has hiked this section would be appreciated. Thanks
Charlotte Shelby
The OR-WA guidebook will help, but it isn’t essential. It has the maps you need in it. If you don’t want to buy the guidebook, you can get a hold of Green Trails maps that cover the area. Each is about $5, and you’ll spend more on them than you will the guide, probably.
Resupply is pretty easy, because there are not a lot of places to do it. Basically, you have Cascade Locks/Stevenson on the Columbia. Then White Pass where there is a small store you can buy out of. Then Snoqualmie Pass with several small stores to buy from. Then Skykomish with another small store, or Levenworth, with big stuff. Finally, Stehekin where you can send a mail drop or buy, or hike a bit further and hitch to Winthrop.
August is general excellent for weather here in Washington. Craig’s PCT planner should help a bit with distances, etc:
My PCT hike (WA in August)
http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/faculty/cwillett/pct/index.html
Many of the trips on TJ have the hikers going through WA in September or October, with miserable weather. Some don’t, though.
Suge
This town should be mention as the “Monson” of the PCT.
Sure Stehekin is cool, but shopping, eating etc…ops are limited.
Plus, if you are late in the season, you either have to walk about 15 miles or so, unless the locals are out, or hope that the Cool Ranger Joe is working. He took us everywhere, andt he people at Stehekin are great.
But, If you want a last stop 70 miles from the border, Whintrop ROCKS!
They have the best Mexican Food since SoCA (DuckBrand), they have numerous Reastarants, hotels, and shops. ANd A kickass Microbrewery that loks like an old western school house, in fact the entire town looks as if it was brought through a time warp from the old Frontier days, including Boardwalk sidewalks and places to tie your horse.
I had a blast there when I came in from Rainey Pass, and rides in Washington are incredibly easy in that area, as all the locals are outdoor folk.
Good luck.
Lion King
Nothing to it! Just get Yogi’s PCT HANDBOOK. www.pcthandbook.com She tells you everything that you need to know/obtain to make the trip!
WILDCAT
Hi Charlotte:
Hiker Trash Haven has on-line maps for Washington’s sections Hi - L9. Great quality maps.
Lucky
Lucky