September 24
This campsite offers the treat of a thunder box. The views are not nearly as nice as the last one but it is wonderful to have.
It is kind of a shame. I have to pick up and hike on each morning because some of these sites are absolutely gorgeous and it would be nice just to hang out for the day.
I hit the trail this morning at 7:10 AM. It is cold, not as cold as I had anticipated, there was only slight frost on the outside of my tent. The rain last night was never more than a light sprinkle as I went to sleep. I woke up this morning and the skies are clear and the sun is rising over the mountains. There’s a beautiful fog in the Valley below and as I start up the trail the views again are amazing.
As I come over the top Methow pass it’s gorgeous. The high mountain meadow with the reds, greens, tans, and white colors. There are mountains completely surrounding us. Absolutely beautiful up here.
How quickly the trail changes I drop from the pass down into the valley I go from primarily rock and scrub to trees and brush. I am heading down towards the Methow river at the bottom of the valley. I get some occasional glimpses of the outstanding peaks around me.
I reach the Methow river at the base of the valley now I will walk along the valley floor for a few miles before heading back up hill towards the next pass
I continue down the trail until I reach the end of the valley before I turn to begin back up hill for the rest of the day. I stopped at this stream with a slightly decrepit bridge for a second breakfast, and some water.
I’ve really been hoping to see a bear. I’ve seen some evidence of it eating berries. Couple paw prints, some paths through the bushes, but no Bear, I did see this snake though.
Glacier pass, not much to it there’s a sign and a whole bunch of trees that block any views, but I’m crossing over it.
As I hike out of Glacier Pass, I go uphill, and there I have phenomenal views. Looking down, you can see where the trail comes out from the trees way below.
After ascendig up, I cross over the top of a saddle which has more amazing views on the other side. I stay along a side slope for a while.
I have reached Harts pass. This is the last vehicle access prior to Canada hikers that do not hike into Canada must return here to find a ride back to transportation wherever they are going.
As I’ll leave Harts pass I enter the Pasayten wilderness. There is a storm coming and the forecast calls for rain beginning at 1 AM continuing for three days. I just hope it’s not heavy. The upper elevations may get snow as well. I used my Garman to send a message to my daughter asking her to send a prayer request to my support team for good weather.
About 2 miles from Hertz Pass it began to sprinkle a little bit. I hiked hard and fast trying to get as many miles before the heavy storm starts tonight. I had originally intended on a shorter day tomorrow stopping 7 miles before the border, however, with the storm coming in, I’m going to see if I can get close enough tonight that I can hike to the border tomorrow, spend some time at the Monument, and then hike in to Canada. I got to my tent site at about 740. It was dark. I had to finish the last half mile with my headlamp. I set up my tent. I had a double dinner and settled in for the night. I also got the highest mileage day 32.1 miles.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 32.1
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 2634.0
Miles left: 19.6
