Washington State's
The State of Washington is slightly smaller than its southern neighbor, Oregon. However, it is the same length from the Oregon border to Canada, 360 miles. The high mountains of the Cascade Range run north-south, bisecting the state. There are several mountains that are still considered active volcanoes, but as of now, only Mt. St. Helens actually has any activity.
Washington, west of the Cascades, has a mostly damp coastal climate with relatively mild temperatures and very wet winters. Hiking through the higher elevations is usually not too practical until about August because of the amount of snow on the ground through July.
The north Cascade Range is fairly rugged. It is also the wettest portion of the entire PCT sitting on the main storm track coming out of the arctic. This has produced approximately 750 permanent snowfields and as many small glaciers.
Eastern Washington, east of the Cascades, is just the opposite. The mountains shield this part of the state from most of the rain. It has a very dry climate with large areas of arid deserts.
The Trail
This next section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is 500 miles long. It begins at the States southern border on the "Bridge to the Gods" as it crosses the Columbia River. It ends at the Canadian border at "Monument 78". This monument is a scaled down version of the Washington Monument and marks the US/Canadian border. There is also a wooden post noting the northern terminus of the PCT.
From Monument 78 the PCT actually continues on into Canada an additional seven miles. It was added by the Canadian government as a service to the hikers so the trail does not end in the wilderness at the border. You now have access to Canada's Highway 3 in British Columbia's Manning Provincial Park.
As you walk across the bridge into Washington, you are at the trails lowest point, 180 feet. You will next begin a long climb out of the Columbia River Gorge.
At the crest there is the Indian Heaven Wilderness area. This is one of the lesser known wilderness areas in all of the Cascades. You are a little to the south of Mt. St. Helens in an area full of lakes and huckleberries. Unfortunately, it is also full of mosquitoes so I hope you did not loose your netting or repellant.
Passing through Indian Heaven you will enter Goat Rocks Wilderness area. It is named for the mountain Goats that are found wandering over the crags. It is located between Mt. Rainer and Mt. Adams. Both will come into view here as you hike. Through out this area you can find great places to kayak as well as rock climb. So there is plenty to see and do if you are not in a hurry.
The trail will climb high up on the ridges where it was once part of anancient volcano. Most of the trek is through pristine wilderness with beautiful vistas of major mountains and broad green meadows.
The Yakima Indian Reservation borders the wilderness on the southeast side. It is closed to the general public except for the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail route.
The trail will cross Highway 12 at White Pass (elev 4,500 feet) and then you enter William O. Douglas Wilderness area.
It is noted for its hundreds of lakes which teem with fish along with other wildlife. It averages about 5,500 feet as you travel approximately 25 miles through this area of the PCT.
Departing this wilderness area you cross highway 410 at Chinook Pass (elev 5,540 feet). Mt. Rainer (elev 14,410) is immediately to the West as you skirt many lakes in this area as you continue to travel north.
From Chinook the trail is fairly easy all the way to Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass (elev 3,022 feet). There is little cover along here and little protection from any rain you might encounter. However, once north of here you encounter conditions that are equal to the challenges in the Sierras of California. There are a lot of elevation changes, up and down as you traverse one deep canyon and up to a pass and then do it over again.
The trail goes by Alpine Lakes, Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, and into Glacier Peak Wildernesses. The trail through here is about 60 miles long. Wildlife species include grizzly bears, wolverines and gray wolves. There are many lakes along here and tremendous scenery.
Next there is the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. There are no roads that enter this area. Travel is strictly by foot, ferry or float plane. It is adjacent to North Cascades National Park which is the largest and most rugged alpine wilderness in the contiguous United States. It contains 8,000-foot peaks, upwards of 400 glaciers, as well as virgin Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar forests. The wildlife here also includes gray wolves and grizzlies.
Located within Okanogan National Forest is 32 miles of the PCT in the Pasayten Wilderness. Its northern boundary is on the Canadian border so you are getting close to the end of the trail.
The prime attraction here is Glacier Peak, the North Cascades 750 perennial snowfields and small glaciers which collectively account for about half the snowfield area in the lower 48 states. Deer, moose, mountain goats and bighorn sheep are found here along with the largest collection of Lynx in the US.
The last challenge you have on the PCT heading north is the Lakeview Ridge. It lies at a little over 7,000 feet and is only 8 miles from the Canadian border. From here you will descend to the border which is noted by Monument 78 at 7,200 feet. The end of the PCT in the US is noted here on a wooden column next to the monument. The trail, courtesy of the Canadian government, now continues another 7 miles terminating in Manning Park. Canadian Highway 3 is right there for your return trip home.
This would be a good time to have your passport with you. In today's world it will be necessary to return to the US. I don't think they will let you in on your good looks especially what you will look like after coming off of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Good Hiking!!
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