Finally, arrived at the Canadian border on 09/17/25 at 9:59am! Took me 145 days to cover 1792 miles (skipped northern CA and half of OR) to get here. You can see trees cleared to delineate the actual border.
Interestingly, a Canadian police helicopter came by to check on us.
Interestingly, a Canadian police helicopter came by to check on us.
September 22, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Finally, arrived at the Canadian border on 09/17/25 at 9:59am! Took me 145 days to cover 1792 miles (skipped northern CA and half of OR) to get here. You can see trees cleared to delineate the actual border.
Interestingly, a Canadian police helicopter came by to check on us.
Interestingly, a Canadian police helicopter came by to check on us.
Once at Harts Pass, it’s only 30 miles to the northern terminus of the PCT. It was interesting to observe the mind shift to just wanting to get to the end. Had to deliberately slow down to soak in the beauty of this last section.
September 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Once at Harts Pass, it’s only 30 miles to the northern terminus of the PCT. It was interesting to observe the mind shift to just wanting to get to the end. Had to deliberately slow down to soak in the beauty of this last section.
The trail between Grasshopper Pass and Harts Pass is one of the most beautiful segments I hiked thru in Washington. Luckily it didn’t rain despite the presence of ominous clouds.
September 22, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The trail between Grasshopper Pass and Harts Pass is one of the most beautiful segments I hiked thru in Washington. Luckily it didn’t rain despite the presence of ominous clouds.
Rainy Pass truly lives up to its name. Started pouring around 9:30a when I passed by. When I reach the next pass, Cutthroat, I was wet and cold and saw none of the supposedly epic views. Didn’t manage to take any pics that day cause it was raining and my fingers were numb from the cold.
September 22, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Rainy Pass truly lives up to its name. Started pouring around 9:30a when I passed by. When I reach the next pass, Cutthroat, I was wet and cold and saw none of the supposedly epic views. Didn’t manage to take any pics that day cause it was raining and my fingers were numb from the cold.
My last resupply stop is at Stehekin, a remote town right by beautiful Lake Chelan. There’s a good restaurant (a bit pricey because supplies are shipped in on barges), and a pretty good bakery in the town. Besides Idyllwild and Kearsage Pass, this is one place I’d like to come back to someday.
September 22, 2025 at 7:03 AM
My last resupply stop is at Stehekin, a remote town right by beautiful Lake Chelan. There’s a good restaurant (a bit pricey because supplies are shipped in on barges), and a pretty good bakery in the town. Besides Idyllwild and Kearsage Pass, this is one place I’d like to come back to someday.
Glacier Peak is supposed to be beautiful but with the rain and fog, I saw nothing. Took an alternate route that’s supposed to have great views, but was thwarted by fog again. 😕 I did have a great lunch spot at Image Lake.
That night, we had 7 tents at a site meant for just 3! Very typical of PCT
That night, we had 7 tents at a site meant for just 3! Very typical of PCT
September 22, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Glacier Peak is supposed to be beautiful but with the rain and fog, I saw nothing. Took an alternate route that’s supposed to have great views, but was thwarted by fog again. 😕 I did have a great lunch spot at Image Lake.
That night, we had 7 tents at a site meant for just 3! Very typical of PCT
That night, we had 7 tents at a site meant for just 3! Very typical of PCT
The next section of the trail is one of the hardest. First descending 2000ft to Milk Creek, then climbing up 3000ft only to descend 4000ft. The trail is overgrown so you’re getting whipped by plants in many areas. Oh, and the most epic blowdowns. I counted more than 129 for this day.
September 22, 2025 at 6:35 AM
The next section of the trail is one of the hardest. First descending 2000ft to Milk Creek, then climbing up 3000ft only to descend 4000ft. The trail is overgrown so you’re getting whipped by plants in many areas. Oh, and the most epic blowdowns. I counted more than 129 for this day.
Camped at the gorgeous Mica Lake with amazing views in all directions. Arrived early and had time to clean up, soak my feet and had dinner with a fellow hiker while watching the mountains changed colors as the sun set. We also witnessed a beautiful moonrise.
September 22, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Camped at the gorgeous Mica Lake with amazing views in all directions. Arrived early and had time to clean up, soak my feet and had dinner with a fellow hiker while watching the mountains changed colors as the sun set. We also witnessed a beautiful moonrise.
At the top of Fire Creek Pass, it’s so beautiful that I just sat down and stare at the mountains for half an hour. You can see part of the trail descending 3000ft to Milk Creek and switchbacks climbing back up 3000ft. This is the infamous section k.
Counted 106 blowdowns on this day (09/18)
Counted 106 blowdowns on this day (09/18)
September 21, 2025 at 6:37 AM
At the top of Fire Creek Pass, it’s so beautiful that I just sat down and stare at the mountains for half an hour. You can see part of the trail descending 3000ft to Milk Creek and switchbacks climbing back up 3000ft. This is the infamous section k.
Counted 106 blowdowns on this day (09/18)
Counted 106 blowdowns on this day (09/18)
On the 3rd day out of Stevens Pass, the weather and smoke finally got better and I was able to experience some epic views. The day started with crossing a collapsed bridge, then a cold creek crossing and the approach to Fire Creek Pass.
September 21, 2025 at 6:18 AM
On the 3rd day out of Stevens Pass, the weather and smoke finally got better and I was able to experience some epic views. The day started with crossing a collapsed bridge, then a cold creek crossing and the approach to Fire Creek Pass.
Camped at beautiful Lake Sally Ann, rained overnight and woke up to a beautiful sunrise. It didn’t last long. Five mins later, the fog rolled in and stayed almost the entire day on the trail. Love walking through the moss covered forest just before camp.
September 21, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Camped at beautiful Lake Sally Ann, rained overnight and woke up to a beautiful sunrise. It didn’t last long. Five mins later, the fog rolled in and stayed almost the entire day on the trail. Love walking through the moss covered forest just before camp.
Back to trail at Stevens pass on 09/06. Very smoky and ashy day due to the Lower Sugarloaf Fire burning near Leavenworth. Not great to be smelling smoke while you’re exerting, but it does cast a beautiful orange hue on everything.
September 21, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Back to trail at Stevens pass on 09/06. Very smoky and ashy day due to the Lower Sugarloaf Fire burning near Leavenworth. Not great to be smelling smoke while you’re exerting, but it does cast a beautiful orange hue on everything.
New shoes for the final 200+ miles!
The old pair still have good threads in the outsole but the midsole is squished and insole has long been worn out.
The old pair still have good threads in the outsole but the midsole is squished and insole has long been worn out.
September 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
New shoes for the final 200+ miles!
The old pair still have good threads in the outsole but the midsole is squished and insole has long been worn out.
The old pair still have good threads in the outsole but the midsole is squished and insole has long been worn out.
Interesting sign. I think I’ve encountered the most TP in WA, in bushes by a lake, or just under a rock at a tent site. C’mon people, leave no trace and use those wonderful privy.
September 5, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Interesting sign. I think I’ve encountered the most TP in WA, in bushes by a lake, or just under a rock at a tent site. C’mon people, leave no trace and use those wonderful privy.
Leavenworth is a fun town. You have to be here to really experience the Bavarian atmosphere. Unfortunately we’re having a pretty intense heatwave here and getting smoke from a nearby wildfire. 😔
September 5, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Leavenworth is a fun town. You have to be here to really experience the Bavarian atmosphere. Unfortunately we’re having a pretty intense heatwave here and getting smoke from a nearby wildfire. 😔
After a steep 1.5 mile climb up to Trap Pass (one 0.4 mile section is at 22% grade!), I got to camp at another awesome lake front spot at Trap Lake. The water is clear at a nice temperature. There’s even a privy that looks out to the east, great for sunrise while taking care of “business”. 😄
September 5, 2025 at 12:18 AM
After a steep 1.5 mile climb up to Trap Pass (one 0.4 mile section is at 22% grade!), I got to camp at another awesome lake front spot at Trap Lake. The water is clear at a nice temperature. There’s even a privy that looks out to the east, great for sunrise while taking care of “business”. 😄
More gorgeous views from the last section.
To be honest, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate this beauty during the hike as I was really exhausted but I’m enjoying the pics I took now.
To be honest, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate this beauty during the hike as I was really exhausted but I’m enjoying the pics I took now.
September 5, 2025 at 12:10 AM
More gorgeous views from the last section.
To be honest, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate this beauty during the hike as I was really exhausted but I’m enjoying the pics I took now.
To be honest, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate this beauty during the hike as I was really exhausted but I’m enjoying the pics I took now.
The next 14 miles traverses multiple steep scree fields. There are good views of Mt Rainier to the south and many alpine lakes (Joe and Spectacle Lake shown).
September 3, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The next 14 miles traverses multiple steep scree fields. There are good views of Mt Rainier to the south and many alpine lakes (Joe and Spectacle Lake shown).
Ridge Lake is beautiful and I got premiere lake front real estate for one night. 😍
September 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Ridge Lake is beautiful and I got premiere lake front real estate for one night. 😍
People say the next section from Snoqualmie to Stevens Pass is going to have much nicer scenery but the trail can be rocky and steep. Here’s a sample from the first 7 miles. There are much hairier ones later on steep climbs and descent (22% grade!). There’s nothing flat about this section.
September 3, 2025 at 9:13 PM
People say the next section from Snoqualmie to Stevens Pass is going to have much nicer scenery but the trail can be rocky and steep. Here’s a sample from the first 7 miles. There are much hairier ones later on steep climbs and descent (22% grade!). There’s nothing flat about this section.
Most excellent contraption for collecting water from a trickling spring — Leaf Tech.
August 29, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Most excellent contraption for collecting water from a trickling spring — Leaf Tech.
From White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass is mostly hiking thru forests or burned areas with lots of steep climb and descent. My legs and feet are so sore.The main attraction is Mt Rainier occasionally popping into sight.
August 29, 2025 at 2:37 AM
From White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass is mostly hiking thru forests or burned areas with lots of steep climb and descent. My legs and feet are so sore.The main attraction is Mt Rainier occasionally popping into sight.
Got a free shuttle ride to Packwood to spend the night as part of Trail Day organized by Packwood Trail Project. Learned a lot about the local area from the driver Elise. Not
sure if I was hungry but I had a super tasty carnitas taco for dinner. Hope they do more trail days in the future
sure if I was hungry but I had a super tasty carnitas taco for dinner. Hope they do more trail days in the future
August 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Got a free shuttle ride to Packwood to spend the night as part of Trail Day organized by Packwood Trail Project. Learned a lot about the local area from the driver Elise. Not
sure if I was hungry but I had a super tasty carnitas taco for dinner. Hope they do more trail days in the future
sure if I was hungry but I had a super tasty carnitas taco for dinner. Hope they do more trail days in the future
Walking along the knife edge ridge in Goat Rocks is both amazing and scary. Luckily I had good weather and was headed north. Going south is definitely way sketchier.
At the end of the ridge walk is another wonderful campsite the night sky and sunrise were beautiful.
At the end of the ridge walk is another wonderful campsite the night sky and sunrise were beautiful.
August 23, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Walking along the knife edge ridge in Goat Rocks is both amazing and scary. Luckily I had good weather and was headed north. Going south is definitely way sketchier.
At the end of the ridge walk is another wonderful campsite the night sky and sunrise were beautiful.
At the end of the ridge walk is another wonderful campsite the night sky and sunrise were beautiful.