The trail travels up, over and through the Rocky, Whitefish, Purcell, and Selkirk ranges. The Pacific Northwest Trail is a 1,200-mile route that travels in an east/west direction from Glacier/Waterton National Park, Montana to Cape Alava on Washingtonâs Olympic Peninsula. Bushwhacking up the Mt. These are a quintessential PNT experience. However, the views of Western Montana are breathtaking and being that close to the edge of the mountain is one of the more memorable moments of the PNT. The vast number of landscapes the PNT travels through means a huge variety of wildlife. Chris also wrote How to Hike the Appalachian Trail. Rugged mountains, alpine meadows, and lush forest define the start of the trail. Ron Strickland has also developed new concepts such as the 7700-mile, transcontinental Sea-To-Sea Route. An interactive map of the Pacific Northwest Trail and a guide to plan your thru-hike. Ice Axe and Microspikes: Depending on start date, these might be required in Glacier National Park. The “new” PNT skips the Ten Lakes Scenic area and opts to take a road walk instead. Be prepared for rain, it is the Pacific Northwest after all!Â. "Hear Ron read aloud from his memoir ⦠Why would they do this? Eventually, the trail shoots onto a dirt Park road and makes its way to Kintla Lake. Plan ahead to end your day at a Washington State Park that offers hike-in campsites on a walk-up basis.Â. Forest Service interactive ArcGIS web map. To Print PDF: Step 1) Expand to full-screen view (click box in top right-hand corner of the map). Nothing more. In 1980, renowned grizzly bear biologist Dr. Charles Jonkel recommended a "southern route" for the Pacific Northwest Trail, avoiding what the U.S. Forest Service deemed Grizzly Core Habitat. Affiliate disclosure: We aim to provide honest information to our readers. In 1983 he and his fellow explorer Ted Hitzroth thru-hiked the proposed trailâs 1200 miles east to west to publish its innovative guidebook. The Pacific Northwest Trail travels to many friendly, scenic communities that are fun to visit whether you are thru-hiking the trail or just out for a day or two. The Cape is the westernmost point in the contiguous United States and is the terminus of the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT). Lion's Head Ridge (section 3) - Avoids some of the Lionâs Creek bushwhack. Their office is in Sedro-Wooley, Wash., near the PNT. The PNT is broken into 10 sections. In these areas, use tracks for a general sense that you are going in the correct direction instead of sticking strictly to the path I used. Smoky Mountains National Park Loop, NC / TN; Tahoe Rim Trail, California; 200-500 Miles . C) They watched for landmarks along the way. A) They used the best guess they could make. In 2009, that route was established by Congress as the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. Learn how to read a tide table and make sure to get the tide tables from the rangers at Olympic National Park. Good peace of mind to have. Keep the Pacific Northwest Trail route as is. On the coastal section, ocean life such as starfish, anemones and crabs are common in tidepools. The John Muir Trail runs for over 210 ⦠You can find him exploring the upper midwest on foot, in a canoe and on a bike.About Greenbelly: After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Chris Cage created Greenbelly to provide fast, filling and balanced meals to backpackers. There are no resupply options at the resort, just a handful of snacks for purchase.Â, In most seasons, water is common along the trail. The Pacific Northwest Trail is a continuous route from the Continental Divide in Montana to the Pacific Ocean in Washington. Shortest Hiking Day: 6 miles. Stays higher along the ridgeline and stunning passes but involves more road walking and skips the scenic Elwha Valley. ... Pacific Northwest Trail Association. Phone service: Mobile phone reception is spotty to non-existent for most of the PNT. Ouachita Trail, AR /OK; Long Trail, Vermont; Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota; Pinhoti Trail, Alabama-Georgia Grand Pass (section 9) - Shorter, more elevations gain/loss. Read More. In exchange for referring sales, we may receive a small commission through affiliate links. Bear spray is recommended for grizzly country, sections 1-3. The trail was envisioned by Ron Strickland in the 1970s with the first recorded thru-hike completed in 1977. The initial bushwhack into the park is brutal but short. Something that is not impossible as it is a destination. There are 11 designated National Scenic Trails (as of 2020), and the Pacific ⦠The section ends with urban hiking in the maritime climate of the Puget Sound. Because the PNT is a patchwork of existing trails, there is often a road crossing, trailhead or roadwalking section every 3-4 days if a hitch was needed. The trail itself has been around since 1970 and is enjoying a surge in popularity over the last 10 years. The best time to hike the PNT is from late June to late September. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping. The official story is that the trail is now more accessible for all styles of hikers but my more cynical side thinks differently: Whatever you want to believe, this trail section guide is written to help you hike the Original Pacific Northwest Trail. Arrange a ride to meet you here or try to hitch out Port Angeles to hook up with public transportation. Step 3) Click on the three white vertical dots and then "Print Map" from that drop-down menu. Cutthroat trout abound and the lakes are impossible blues, deep, and clean. In Glacier you must acquire permits from a backcountry ranger station. *For planning purposes and not intended for navigation. The Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) is a 1200-mile hiking trail running from the Continentalâ
Divide in Montana to the Pacificâ
Ocean on Washington âs Olympic Coast. The network of trail angels on the PNT is a small but dedicated bunch. Get epic tips, guides and how-to's in your inbox every two weeks. Perhaps the most friendly trail town in America. [sgpx gpx=”/wp-content/uploads/gpx/PNT_outline.gpx”], Download the old PNT Trail. The entire PNT is susceptible to fires, especially east of the Cascade Mountains. Hiking with a tide: On the Olympic coast, there are many points that can only be passed at low tide. The trail was envisioned by Ron Strickland in the 1970s with the first recorded thru-hike completed in 1977. , Fires have been increasingly common in tidepools travel make this a handy item to have March 16, -... All the time but most hikers find it easier to apply in person designated the PNT special to! ( Lion 's Head Crest Alternate ) My route through bushwhacks are not necessarily the best for! 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