Schaefer - Day & section hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Washington

J UST OUTSIDE M OUNT S T. H ELENS N ATIONAL V OLCANIC M ONUMENT lies the small town of Cougar, Washington. It is your typical mountain town, complete with a diner, tavern, convenience store, and RV park (actually two of them). Normally I would continue down the road to a more primitive site, but exhaustion prevailed and the next thing I knew I was driving by the neon flashing vacancy light of the RV park.

I knocked on the door and was immediately greeted by a friendly couple. They invited me into their home and I told them I was looking for a tent site. They gave me a quick head to toe, and I suddenly became aware of how I must look; my legs were covered with a thick coat of dust, my hair was matted from too many days under a hat, and my clothes were a wrinkled, dirty mess. The woman spoke first, saying, Well, it looks like you need to treat yourself to a good nights sleep. I informed her I was on a budget and she waved her hand, telling me not to worry. The next thing I knew, I was unlocking the door to a sweet little cabin with clean towels in hand.

Throughout my time exploring Washingtons Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), spontaneous moments like this were part of what made my trips so memorable. Whether it was fresh goat cheese from a gardener in Stehekin, homemade honey from a street vendor in Hood River, colorful veggies from the Twisp Farmers Market, or a hot cup of espresso from the hardware store in Plain, each mountain community surrounding the PCT has something unique to offer.

This book is a culmination of my experiences along a trail full of culture, history, and breathtaking scenery. Selecting 30 of my favorite hikes was no easy task. Like the communities that surround the PCT, each trail offers something special that sets it apart from the others. I found myself on numerous occasions saying, I had no idea this place was so beautiful. This hike is definitely going in the book. Or perhaps it was a bit of history that caught my attention, such as finding an old sheepherder trail or seeing the remnants of an abandoned fire lookout.

In the end, I whittled them down to 30 spectacular hikes that stretched from the mighty waters of the Columbia River to the majestic peaks of the North Cascades. The actual task of hiking all the trails was no easy feat. I would be lying if I said my trip to Chain Lakes in a torrential downpour was a highlight of my hiking career. But as time fades, memories of napping on sun-baked rocks, taking a dunk in alpine lakes, or watching alpenglow dance on snowcapped peaks replace those less desirable moments.

This book will inspire you to discover a side of Washington you may have never seen, whether youve lived here your whole life or are just passing through. Hike with open eyes and your journey through this beautifully diverse state will bring you as much fulfillment as I experienced while hiking these trails.