Canada

11 AUGUST 2017, 07:56 PM
High Bridge Ranger Station (PCT mile 2569) to Manning Park, BC, Canada PCT mile 2658) the end.
This concludes the entire 1001 mile backpacking trip starting from Seiad Valley California to Canada.
The monument marking the northern terminus of the PCT is right on the boarder with Canada. From here there are 2 options. Continuing into Canada for 8 miles and getting a bus at Manning Park, or returning south for 30 miles to Harts Pass and hitch hiking out. I chose the former.
It rained last night. After 50 days of sunny weather it finally rains on the last night. On the good side, the smoke is gone.
One evening a deer showed up at my site. I tried to shoo it away, but it pay no attention. It was back the next morning. By then I realized that it was expecting to be fed. It came as close as 5 feet. So I just took a picture.

photo 20170814 671163

Yoyo

05 AUGUST 2017, 06:24 AM
Stevens Pass (PCT mile 2461) to High Bridge (PCT mile 2569)
I am in a little resort town called Stehekin, picking up my last resupply package. Next stop Will be the end of the hike in Canada.
The trail makes a serious of ups and downs on this section. Starting from a low valley it climbs up a high ridge line, just to descend to the even lower valley behind, and then climb an even higher ridge. The elevation profile looks like an expending zigzag increasing in amplitude and duration as you go north. The last leg of this yoyo is still to come climbing from High Bridge 1500 ft to the next pass at 7000 ft. Needless to say there is major elevation gain and loss each day hiking this area. With careful planning I was able to avoid an 8500 ft day, but still had a couple of days with 6800 ft of climbing. You can I imagine the scenery of switching from a low lush vegetation covered valleys to high sub alpine ridges. Unfortunately, I cannot enjoy the scenery, because of the lingering smoke.
I met a couple of hikers Highway and Dash We are camped together a couple of nights and at the same time at Stehekin. Highway is continuing to Canada on the same itinerary as mine, so I will probably see him again.
The bright spot in the first image is the sun.

Heat and Smoke

02 AUGUST 2017, 06:45 AM
Snoqualmie Pass (PCT mile 2390) to Steven Pass (PCT mile 2461)
The Northern Cascades are rugged and must be beautiful. The valleys are deep and there are many lakes. The ridges are steep and allow distance views. I just wish it wasn’t as hazy.
It’s been hot the last 3 days. Temperature in Seattle were supposed to reach 100. On the trail at 4000-5000 it was on the 80’s and 90’s. On top, wild forest fires in western Washington spread smoke and haze over the area. Not exactly ideal conditions for either hiking or photography.

Washington Mid Point

White Pass (PCT mile 2292) to Snoqualmie Pass (PCT mile 2390)

The PCT goes through the edge of Mount Rainier National Park with fantastic vista of the great volcano. It is so close it fills up most of the view to the west. Along the way, Chinook Pass offers access to the area for the locals, and since it was the weekend, the area was very busy. Father north, it was not the local traffic, but the south bound through hikers that were increasing in numbers.

Where is Chugchug

Mount Rainer from Rainier NP

Chinook Pass and Sheep a lake

Lakes along the PCT