The Pacific Crest Trail has an amazing array of beautiful views and landscapes sprinkled generously throughout its 2,650 miles. And unfortunately for most of us we are hard pressed to find the 4 – 6 months necessary to see it all, or even the month or so needed to see all of one state.
Thankfully though, for those of us who can’t, or won’t, commit ourselves to a 6 month thru hike of the PCT we can still see many of the spectacular views that the Pacific Crest Trail offers northwest hikers. From day hikes to overnight and weekend backpacking trips much of the PCT is accessible to the average worker with an itch to get out of the office and on the trail.
The following locations on the PCT in Washington State are must see locations on the Pacific Crest Trail that you can hike to without taking a half year break from your day job.
We’ve listed a few of our favorite views and coolest locations on the Washington State section of the PCT, along with trail information, hike length and difficulty. Enjoy.
Knife’s Edge
Located a bit south of White Pass Knife’s edge boasts one of the most impressive views on the PCT. The trail is known as Knife’s Edge as it follows a mountain ridge-line with steep descents on either side for several miles. The narrow trail is worth it however, as the scenery is fantastic. On a clear day you can have a view of Mt Rainier and a never ending number of peaks and valleys. Trust us, the pictures don’t do it justice.
Part of what makes Knife’s Edge so magical is that feeling of truly being away from civilization. It’s rare to have such a never ending view without sight or sound of cars and freeways. This does make it harder to get to, though if you are willing to “give up” a three day weekend these sights are yours for the taking.
There are several different routes for arriving at Knife’s edge, though our preferred route is starting at Walupt lake, an then hiking along Snowgrass Flats to the Goat Rocks Wilderness and Knife’s Edge. This route offers some beautiful views, plenty of campsites and streams for water. The trail is out and back, is about 31 miles long round trip with 6,700ft of elevation gain. The hike is difficult but worth it, and the trail is well maintained.
Even at a moderate pace of just 10 miles a day you can get there and back in three days.
Old Snowy
Located right next to Knife’s Edge Old Snowy is a great addition to your hike. Though the additional mileage to hike Old Snowy is less than a mile, the climb adds about 500ft of elevation gain. The trip is well worth it though, as from the top you truly feel like you are on top of the world.
On a clear day we saw Mt. Rainier, Baker, Helens, and Adams. We recommend bringing a camera.
The hike to Old Snowy is easy to follow, though there are some patches with snow even in the summer, hiking boots should work fine. We haven’t hiked it in the spring/winter, and given the altitude I can’t say we would recommend it either.
Kendall Katwalk
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The Kendall Katwalk is an amazing trail and hike that follows the Pacific Crest Trail. It is easy to reach, just an hour out of Seattle right next to Snoqualmie Pass. There is a parking lot at the trailhead. The trail was blown out of the rock face and features some sharp drop offs, making it dangerous to cross when snowed over.
The hike itself is of moderate difficulty and the trail is well maintained. The hike is a total of 14 miles out and back with 3,200ft of elevation gain. Not all of the hike is on the side of a mountain however, the beginning of the trail is an easy forest trail and it never gets very steep.