June 26, 2018
So we are beginning! I am very fortunate to be hiking the Pacific Northwest Trail. Even more of a blessing is that I’m being joined at the start by my daughter, Ingrid. She is joining me for the start through Glacier National Park.
About the Pacific Northwest Trail
There are three famous National Scenic Trails. The Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and Continental Divide Trail (CDT) make up the famous Triple Crown of long distance hiking in the US. They are approximately 2,200, 2,600, and 2,800 miles long heading in a north/south direction. While also a designated National Scenic Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) is far less traveled and not as well known.
I was attracted to the PNT for several reasons. First it is an east west trail. A hiker going west starts in Glacier National Park and goes across northern Montana, Idaho’s panhandle, northern Washington, across Puget Sound (on a ferry…I’m not swimming across), and lastly it crosses the Olympic peninsula with a final beach walk to the westernmost point of the continental 48 states. It goes through three National Parks and covers some of the most remote mountain ranges around.
The second attraction is its distance: approximately 1,200 miles. Roughly half the distance of the Triple Crown trails, the PNT is long enough to be an immersive experience, but not so long that people forget you and your kids start referring to you by your first name instead of Dad.
Lastly, as a less traveled trail, I like the notion of an uncrowded adventure. Although the westerly direction I am taking is the most popular, I’d be surprised if there were more than 150 people doing it this year. As a frame of reference around 6,000 people hike the AT each year.
Expected Challenges
Hopefully my wife won’t read this section. She is a worrier.
There are a few challenges to this route that go beyond the regular ones I faced on the CDT.
First, this is a young, evolving route. Between fires and trail closures, the route changes. There is an “official” trail, but even the “official” maps recommend alternatives. And those alternatives can change. The challenge is not only getting lost, but finding new trails not quite as described.
Second, forest fires are a bigger risk on this trip. Southbound on the CDT I avoided most fire dangers. July and August through Idaho, Montana, and Washington is just asking to come across a forest fire. In case you are wondering what happens, the Forest Service shuts down areas likely to be in the path of a named fire. To their credit, they try to work with trail organizations like the Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA) to identify alternative routes.
Third, beach hiking. I know it sounds simple but some areas of the trail are covered at high tide so I need to know my tide charts and avoid being in certain areas at the wrong time. Plus, given my propensity for falling, slick oceans rocks are a new hazard. And hiking on sand is just painfully slow.
Rewards
Foremost, backpacking with Ingrid will be great. Starting anything in Glacier is amazing. Walking through truly wild areas of the Pacific northwest will be interesting. I have read that the Pasayten Wilderness is some of the most beautiful country in the 48 states. Walking through a legitimate rain forest via the Olympic peninsula is another highlight. Plus, my Dad is planning on driving out to meet Ingrid and I when we finish our hike through Glacier.
Blog
I am an irregular blogger. Sometimes it is a lack of cell service. Honestly, there are times when I just crash at the end of the day. Not surprising to those who know me, many times I have nothing to say. So don’t expect pithy daily notes from the trail. However, I will try to provide reasonable updates to my loyal blog readers. As all five of them can tell you, I do stay in touch.
backpacking over the hill 