Northern Washington Permits

imported
#1

Does anyone know what wilderness permits are required from Snoqualmie Pass north? (besides entry to Canada) Planning on finishing the hike cut short by snow last year, but since the remaining distance is less than 500 miles I’m no longer eligible for a thru-hiker permit. I seem to remember hearing talk last year that rangers in Washington can be sticklers on the matter, so figure I’d better be “legal.” The PCTA hasn’t responded to any of the emails sent with this question, and I know there are several hikers in the same boat, so figured I’d throw it out for discussion.

Gesh

#2

Gesh just get the 500 mile plus permit. What would a Penguin do. It will be alot less hassle to get one of those. Your donation goes to the PCTA not the Park service who SUCK, and will waste it on front country road projects. Then you can come down to the sierra and walk the other 250 miles the permit requires with me, and do the JMT portion again. I plan on doing at least 500 this summer bouncing through the sierra and using the JMT. Tahoe to Yosemite Trail and Tahoe Rim trail. So that one permit covers all I need. PS Tahoe rim only requires permits for the Desolation on the PCT side so Im covered. Give me a call man on Hydro’s phone 920-889-1419. Dont let guino happen to you.

Guino

#3

Just self register at the trail head at Snoqualmie Pass, again at Stevens Pass and one final time with the ranger in town at Stehekin. There’s no quotas on these areas.

Cost: Nadda, zilch, zero, nothin’…
Hassle factor: takes 2 minutes to fill out the little tag, drop the one sheet in the box at the trail head, and attach the other part to your pack with the provided stretchy cord.

TC, 2006

Token Civilian

#4

I agree with TC. One thing though… I never actually attach them to my pack. It makes me feel like a product, and the thing could fall off or get damaged anyway. I think it’s better to just shove it in your pocket or with your maps. If someone stops you & really wants to see it, you can pull it out. I mean, do they think everyone is in such a hurry out there that they’re going to scan your tag as you whip down the trail?

Also, it’s a really good idea to sign-in & permit yourself whenever you can. The FS looks at this data to estimate trail usage, and establish budget priorities… Ok, it’s probably not going to make-or-break the PCT or any other trail, but every little bit helps.

Jonathan

#5

In Washington, the only “permits” required are wilderness permits free at the trailhead and/or wilderness boundary. You fill it out as described above, and you are required to display it (although the chances of meeting a backcountry ranger are almost non-existent these days, thanks to federal budget cuts). The one exception is North Cascades National Park/Ross Lake National Recreation Area, where a backcountry camping permit is required. It’s free, and you can get it at the Visitor Center in Stehekin. http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/permits.htm

Of course if you plan to park at a trailhead, you need the Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day or $30/year). You probably don’t want to leave your car at a trailhead (especially near a major highway) that long, though, and would be better off to find someone to give you a ride (Greyhound no longer stops at Snoqualmie Pass).

grannyhiker

#6

Hey, thanks for the great advice, everyone. I can’t wait to get back out there. Guino, it was cool to hear from you the other night (we got your message.) Your proposal here sounds awesome and while I would love to be hiking 500 plus PCT miles this year I’m going to have to settle for the 260 from Snoqualmie… after that I’m heading straight for the airport in Seattle and flying out east to hike Maine and New Hampshire southbound on the AT. A prelude to CDT '09. (Say hello to Hay-De, we’ll talk to you guys soon.) Hope to see some of the fellow PCT '07 refugees in Washington this August!

Gesh