The Trail In Washington That Will Lead You On An Adventure Like No Other
By Jessica Wick|Published June 28, 2018
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
There’s hiking, and then there’s next-level, hardcore backpacking. If you’re the kind of person who absolutely loves the great outdoors and you’re an experienced hiker here in Washington, you may have heard of the Pacific Crest Trail.
The epic trail is 2,659 miles long and spans three states and parts of British Columbia, so it’s not for the faint of heart. But whether you attempt to walk the entire thing or you just explore a section of the Washington part, you’ll be treated to some of the most breathtaking scenery of your life.
Since the Pacific Crest Trail spans the entire state from the Canadian border to the Oregon border, you'll have your pick of where you want to start.
Needless to say, this is a great trail to attempt if you truly want to get away from it all.
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The hike was first proposed by Clinton C. Clarke as a trail running from Mexico to Canada along the crest of the mountains in California, Oregon, and Washington.
Clarke formed the Pacific Crest Trail System Conference in an attempt to lobby the federal government to protect the trail. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson defined the Pacific Coast Trail with the National Trails System Act.
Considering it passes through the Mount Adams area, White Pass. Mount Rainier, Chinook Pass, Glacier Peak, the Okanogan National Forest, and many more of our finest spots, it's not surprising.
Experiencing the Pacific Coast Trail is the best way to get up-close-and-personal with our beautiful state.
Basic first aid training is a must since you'll be way out in the wilderness and you alone are responsible for your own safety (although they do recommend hiking with others). Proper knowledge, equipment, and planning are absolutely essential. While much of the actual hike will only be moderately challenging (i.e. you won't be scaling any cliffs), they don't recommend that beginners with no experience or training attempt it. Also, keep in mind you may face avalanche dangers in certain parts.
The Pacific Crest Trail is a bucket list item for many a Washingtonian.
If you're curious, start by hiking one of the many smaller treks on the trail, like the 7-mile Mirror Lake Trail or a trail on Chinook Pass. If you fall in love with the scenery, you may be inspired to backpack the entire thing one day.
For more information on this incredible experience, check out the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s website. And for those who need to work their way up to such a challenge, these local trails are all under 5 miles long.
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