Washington

A southbound hiker begins the PCT on steep, exposed slopes and more elevation gain and loss than any other part of the trail passing one volcano after another like pearls on a necklace including Rainier.

peeps of the PCT: the start
As I prepare for the CDT, I look back to the start of the Pacific Crest Trail and advice to
PCT Day 1, Harts Pass to Holman Creek Trail Junction, 13 miles
Trail Angels take over 30 hikers to Hart's Pass on a warm, clear day with easy walking on superb tread.
PCT Day 2, Holman Creek Trail Junction to Hopkins Lake (via Canadian border) 23 miles
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. – Sally Berger I sleep fitfully, my hips complaining. Every time I
PCT Day 3, Hopkins Lake to Hart’s Pass, 25 miles
It is never too late to be what you might have been. – George Eliot Who am I now? Not
PCT Day 4, Hart’s Pass to Methow River, 16 miles
Be yourself. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. —Joan Jett I wake up late, at least for me, at
PCT Day 5, Methow River to Hideaway Camp, 21 miles
Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass. – Maya Angelou Nights aren’t easy. I wasn’t invaded
PCT Day 6, Hideaway Camp to High Bridge, (Stehekin) 13 miles
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. Beverly Sills I wake up late after taking pain reliever, running
PCT Day 7, Steheken to random beautiful place ‘four falls,” 15 miles
Stay strong. Make them wonder how you’re still smiling. – Anonymous I sleep reasonably well even if I have to
PCT Day 8, ‘four falls’ to Vista Creek, 21 miles
Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim. – Nora Ephron Sunrise on ‘four falls’ – yes,
PCT Day 9, Vista Creek to Fire Creek, 18 miles
I believe great people do things before they are ready. – Amy Poehler It feels late getting up at 5:30,
PCT Day 10, Fire Creek to Junction at Dishpan Gap, 23 miles
What makes you different or weird, that’s your strength. – Meryl Streep It was a damp night. I had to
PCT Day 11, Junction at Dishpan Gap to Lake Janus, 20 miles
You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you. – Mary Tyler Moore It was a
PCT Day 12, Lake Janus to Steven’s Pass, 10 miles
Power's not given to you. You have to take it. – Beyonce I finally had the best night’s sleep yet.
PCT Day 13, ‘zero’ day, Skykomish
When God is moving you towards a new consciousness, you need to recognize the winds of change at once, move
PCT Day 14, Stevens Pass to Deception Creek, 21 miles
I am not afraid of storms for I am learning to sail my own ship. – Louisa May Alcott What
PCT Day 15, Deception Creek to past Waptus Burn, 22 miles
The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. – Amelia Earhart It was such
PCT Day 16, Past Waptus Burn to above Joe Lake, 19 miles
Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out – Katherine Dunham I
PCT Day 17, above Joe Lake to Snoqualmie, 10 miles
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, 'I'm possible!' – Audrey Hepburn I wake to the full moon just above
PCT Day 18, Snoqualmie to ‘unused dirt road,’ 23 miles
We are all filled with a longing for the wild. No matter where we are, the shadow that trots behind
PCT Day 19, ‘unused dirt road’ to Mike Urich Cabin, 24 miles
I get faster as I get older. —Grandma Gatewood The rain has (thankfully) stopped. I’m packed having coffee, filling my
PCT Day 20, Mike Urich Camp to Sheep Lake, 22 miles
Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay. – Simone de Beauvoir It’s crystal clear;
PCT Day 21, Sheep Lake to Pipe Lake, 24 miles
Beware of monotony; it’s the mother of all the deadly sins. – Edith Wharton There is nothing like rising before
PCT Day 22, Pipe Lake to Clear Fork Junction (via White Pass Kracker Barrel) 20 miles
If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one. – Dolly Parton The morning is pinky orange
PCT Day 23, Clear Fork Junction to Walupt Creek, 15 miles
The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience. – Emily Dickinson I wake up late and
PCT Day 24, Walupt Creek to Lewis River, 27 miles
A boat is always safe in the harbor, but that’s not what boats were built for. – Katie Couric The
PCT Day 25, Lewis River to Mosquito Creek, 22 miles (+3)
The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within – strength, courage, and dignity.
PCT Day 26, Mosquito Creek to forest near ‘crisp, cool, mystical, scoopable pool of water,’ 27 miles
We all have an unsuspected reserve of strength inside that emerges when life puts us to the test. —Isabel Allende