Way back in the 1990’s, I cut my teeth backpacking in the Washington Cascades. Ever since then, I’ve been dreaming of exploring this section of the PCT. But It’s rugged and remote. Truth be told, I figured that if I started the PCT at the Mexican border and walked all the way to Washington, I’d finally have the legs and the stamina to really be able to do this section justice.

Luckily, my plan worked! It’s been an amazing section of hiking; my legs and stamina were up for the challenge and so were a few of my friends! 

First, at Snoqualmie Pass, an old high-school friend helped me with my resupply and off-loading of my extra pack weight, offering to mail some of my extra luxury items home for me. It was great to meet up with Jim over lunch! 

After that, I was ready to tackle the first five days of rocky terrain and steep ascents between Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass. This section also included some gorgeous forests and high alpine lakes – I went swimming many times! 

At Stevens Pass, Eliza, a friend from my volunteer days with Heifer International, joined me for an afternoon on the trail. Thankfully, she brought me some “real food” and more snacks to supplement my resupply box, which I had previously sent to the ski resort.

At Stevens Pass, most PCT hikers were hitching around another fire closure in the far northern reaches of the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Having backpacked a little in this area before, I knew this back country was not to be missed, so I continued north until the boundary of the fire closure to see more of the area around Glacier Peak. The views, despite a little forest fire haze, did not disappoint! Quite possibly, this has been my favorite section of all. Another hiker from New Zealand, Esther, joined me for the adventure.

After 40 miles, Esther and I descended off the PCT onto the North Fork Sauk Trail.

Luckily, another friend was waiting for us here. Kinzee, who I met in Peace Corps Ecuador, graciously drove us around the fire closure and over to the east side of the Cascades where I re-entered the PCT from the town of Stehekin.
The Canadian border is getting really close now!