The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,650 miles long and ends at the Northern Terminus monument about two feet south of Boundary Monument 78 on the US/Canada border.

The northernmost section of the PCT passes through the Pasayten Wilderness, in Washington State. Its one of most magnificent sections of the trail.

One place to access the trail is at Slate Peak. This is the highest place, elevation-wise, that you drive a passenger car in State of Washington topping out at about 7,600 ft. Check the road conditions first, its a white-knuckler for sure.

Starting a hike at its highest point is always a bit strange, but it sure make the first days hiking easy, all down hill! On the first day we hiked from Slate peak and the parking area down to Holman Pass and then started back up.

Here the trail passes through a glorious section on its way up to Rock Pass. The area is called the Parade Grounds, is a huge area, wide open meadows covered with flowers, interspersed with trees. There is a spring nearby and dispersed camping, and a short way off small Goat Lake.

The crest of Rock Pass is truly stunning. The view below is looking north from Rock Pass. That’s Lakeview Ridge on the left. The PCT makes its way through Woody Pass (snow filled gap, left) crosses to the west side of Lakeview Ridge and continues north.

The PCT in past days traversed along the very top of the ridge here, from Rock Pass over to Woody Pass. But now the trail steeply switch backs down from Rock Pass, makes a creek crossing and then climbs laboriously back up to Woody Pass.

From Woody Pass the PCT swings along the west side of the Cascade Crest as it makes its way north.

The ridge the trail follows is called Lakeview Ridge, and it offers some of the best views anywhere.

At the northern end of the ridge the trail descends the Devils Staircase to Hopkins Lake and then its only a few short, flat miles to Castle Pass and the Three Fools trail junction. The Canada Border lies just beyond.