[pct-l] Section for three weeks starting mid-August

[Bob Bankhead]

WA sections K and L would be perfect and you don't necessarily need a car.
You'll be ahead of all but the fastest thruhikers. You'll also experience
the wildest and arguably most scenic part of the PCT.

Fly to Seattle. Take the Trailways bus to Wenatchee, but ask to be let off
at Stevens Pass summit (this is a flag stop for the bus and the PCT crosses
the highway there). Hike north to the border, touch the monument, and
retrace your route back to Stehekin, because you probably won't have a
Permit to Enter Canada from the PCT. If you do, you can continue the 7 miles
to Manning Park and work your way home via Vancouver, BC, thus saving
yourself about 70 miles of backtracking. 

Do not try to cross the border back into the USA. The Border Patrol is
reportedly watching this crossing now and there's no legal way to re-enter
the USA there.


Stevens Pass to Stehekin = 103 miles. Resupply here 

Stehekin to Rainy Pass (hwy 20) = 15 miles

Rainy Pass to Harts Pass = 31 miles

Harts Pass to the border = 32 miles

Border back to Stehekin = 78 miles

Take the Lady of the Lake Express boat from Stehekin to Chelan. Ride the
free county bus from Chelan to Wenatchee. Take the Trailways bus to Seattle
and on home or just fly home from Wenatchee (via Seattle).


Total miles with the reverse = about 260 miles
At 15 mpd, that's 17.3 days without any layovers.
Travel will take at least 2 days total, more likely 3 (2 x 1.5).
You have 21 to burn.


If you want to hike slower and enjoy the views, and you have a good friend
in the Seattle area, you could arrange for them to meet you when you get
back to either Harts Pass or Rainy Pass. Rainy would be easier for them as
it is paved highway all the way and a lot closer to Seattle than is Rainy
Pass over by Winthrop. There is no public transportation at either Winthrop
or Rainy Pass.