Heading Back to the Trail

C) Andrew Carter, 2023

Tomorrow, I fly to Seattle to finish my MYTH (Multi-Year Thru Hike) of the PCT. In writing “finish,” that’s God willing, of course.

As always, finishing depends on wildfires. There are none at the moment on the portion of the PCT I will be hiking, but 2021 and 2022 have taught me that can change in an instant.

I have 81 miles left to go, but I’m planning to hike 259 miles instead. Why?

The first reason is I don’t want to stop and start so quickly. It would take me 6 days to hike 81 miles. Hiking 259 miles will take 19 days.

The other reason is that I loved the portion of the Northern Cascades I hiked last year. I want to see that scenery again.

Hiking more miles, however, adds to the wildfire risk. I hope doing so doesn’t jinx me.

I will start at Snoqualmie Pass, which is on I-90 east of Seattle. Snoqualmie is where the “Miracle of the Hiking Sticks” took place last year.

After leaving Snoqualmie, I will hike through the incredible Alpine Lakes Wilderness. In two years of hiking, that’s been my favorite section of trail. For me at least, it surpassed the High Sierra.

After five days, I’ll come to Stevens Pass, where I’ll resupply. Then I head into the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Yes, Glacier Peak has year-round snow. The PCT hugs the western slopes of the mountain, well below the glaciers.

After seven more days, I’ll reach Stehekin for another resupply. Stehekin is where I ended my hike last year because the trail ahead was closed due to wildfire.

Stehekin is on the north end of the 50-mile-long fjord-like Lake Chelan. It’s only reachable by a 3-hour ferry. The mountains around the lake at the north end descend steeply down to the water.

After Stehekin, I’ll head through remote wilderness over a number of high passes until I reach the border six days later.

That’s the plan. I hope it goes well. I’ll be posting photos as I am able.