SoBo Washington hike - then need ride to California/Oregon border?

imported
#1

Hello all you awesome people!
So I am finishing up my PCT hike and this year I’m starting in Washington. I’ll be leaving the last week of June or 1st week of July to the Canadian border to head S.

Now, I am wondering if there is anyone that could give me a lift to the California/Oregon border from the Wa/Oregon border or wherever the trail is near Ashland, Or so I can continue south & finish the rest of what I left to do? Gas money/huge hug not a problem at all! :smiley:

Also – Are there any trail angels who drive people to the Canadian border? I’d much rather get a ride up there as well than to have to take the greyhound.

Thanks in advance for any replies!
-Ms. Ir0nPyrite

PS,
Any other SoBo’ers?

Ir0nPyrite

#2

are you trying to get a ride to the border, hart’s pass,vancouver or all the way out to manning park? I live in bellingham WA, which is the closest town to the border on the I-5 corridor.

slick b

#3

Hi slick,
Well I’m flying into Bellingham. From there, I’ll be looking for a ride to Manning Park to start my hike.

I know I could just take the greyhound from there, but that’s another 8-12 hours sitting on a bus and transferring in Vancouver. Also, prob will have to get hotel for 1st night if I do that in Bellingham…it’s just a hassle and a lot more money than I hoped to have to spend. So before I buy that greyhound ticket I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask for a ride out to MP. Even if I’m offering the gas money for a ride the fewer hours spent traveling/not having to wait around in bus stations/not having to waist $ on hotel make it so worth it.

Then once I finish Washington, I’m looking for yet another ride to the Cal/Oregon border or Ashland from Cascade Locks or White Pass.

Ir0nPyrite

#4

I hate to rain on your parade, but the US Government is getting really nasty about entering the US on the PCT, even for US Citizens. $5,000 fine and up. More details here:


and here, for legal ways to start:

There is bus access to Cascade Locks, actually the north end of the Bridge of the Gods, but it’s complicated. Skamania County Transit will, by pre-arrangement, pick you up at the north end of the bridge and take you to Vancouver (WA) (weekdays only). Then it’s C-Tran to Portland and Tri-Met to wherever in Portland you want to go. Google all three agencies to get their schedules. Why no transit on the Oregon side? That’s a question constantly asked in this area since Greyhound discontinued their old stop in Cascade Locks! You could check out airport shuttles from Cascade Locks to the Portland Airport. Plane to Medford, bus (Rogue Valley Transportation District) to Ashland.

If you can hitch a ride from White Pass to Packwood, Lewis County (WA) Transit has a bus that goes from Packwood to the Greyhound stop in Centralia.

grannyhiker

#5

I used an airport shuttle two years ago. Expensive $90+ but was very fast.

bowlegs

#6

O_o
Wow. I thought for sure if I had my passport I could enter the US from Manning Park no problem. I had no idea it was illegal even with the passport. I didn’t even see this information in prior years. Thanks grannyhiker…

I think after researching all your info…I am just going to fly into Portland now, take a bunch of these buses and start in Cascade Locks. Crazy how plans can change in an instant. Then I guess once I reach Manning I’ll just take the greyhound back down to Ashland or something. Or fly to Medford and bus to Ashland. Whichever…ughhh stressful stressful :slight_smile:

I thank you all for these tips!

Ir0nPyrite

#7

I flew into medford last summer,grabbed a cab to ashland,spent the nite at the ashland hostel which is cheap and nice, then took a cab to the trailhead which is right next to ocallahans.Another good option would be to take the cab from the airport to ocallahans, tent on their lawn 4 a few dollars and grab good grub and drinks

floater