Photos: Northern Washington

c) Andrew Carter, 2023

My final days on the PCT began at Stehekin,
which is on the north end of Lake Chelan and only reachable by ferry.
This diorama shows how rugged the Northern Cascades are. The blue lake to the right is Lake Chelan.
The climb out of Stehekin on the 70-mile PCT detour required a 5700-foot climb from Lake Chelan
up to Purple Pass. It was a hot and sunny day. By the time I reached the top, I was exhausted.
Just after Purple Pass, I saw a section hiker. I was so exhausted I was barely coherent when I spoke to him.
The view from my campsite at Juanita Lake. The lake is actually a tiny pond.
I stopped at this campsite for a snack.
Smoke in the air from the multiple fires in Washington state.
Chokeberry?
“Really, it’s a very simple detour.”
Rocky slope
This bridge has seen better days.
Not entirely safe. The trunk slabs are not buried in the ground.
They are resting on the ground and therefore wobbly.
Walking through an old burn zone to get around an active burn zone.
Trail construction
Cedar Falls — upper falls.
Cedar Falls — lower falls.
Nearing Washington Route 20
Washington Route 20 — just west of here the road was closed due to wildfire.
A brave squirrel. He watched me as I walked by.
Early morning — smoke in the sky near the town of Mazama.
Lost River Road — the detour followed this road from Mazama,
through a rural area, and then into the National Forest.
In the National Forest.
Log bridge
Wood debris in the West Branch of Methow River
More berries
Same berry as above, but more mature.
These are pyracantha berries, I believe.
Wood debris knocked this bridge out.
Beginning the climb back to the PCT
The entire canyon was burned over
This is the trail. Lots of undergrowth.
And blowdowns, too
Back on the PCT after a 70-mile detour.
Brush Creek campsite
Views on a stormy day
Alas, I am not a wildflower expert.
Fire tower on Slate Peak
Getting close to Canada
Hopkins Lake
Border marker — front
Border marker — back. 78 miles from the Strait of Georgia (arm of Pacific Ocean).
Markers have been placed every mile on the US/Canadian border, which follows the 49th Parallel.

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Andrew Carter

I just completed a multi-year thru hike (MYTH) of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It took three years. I hiked 1840 miles in 2021, 733 miles in 2022, and 122 miles in 2023. The only reason I had to hike in 2023 was a wildfire closure at the north end of the PCT in 2022. During the past two years, I've also thru hiked other, shorter US trails. I hiked the Benton MacKaye Trail (GA, NC, TN) and the Tuscarora Trail (VA, WV, MD, PA) in 2022 plus the Ozark Highlands Trail (AR) in 2023. I hope to hike the Long Trail (VT) next year and the Colorado Trail at some point in the future. Please note, all content on this site is copyright.

3 thoughts on “Photos: Northern Washington”

  1. Nice photo capture(s).

    Did you bathe/swim under the falls? Did you have to present identification at the border?

    I’ve enjoyed following your adventures.

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    1. No I didn’t swim in the falls. For the border I had to get a special permit from the Canadian Border Authority to walk in. BTW, US Border Patrol does not allow people to walk into the US at either land border.

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