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One of the great National Scenic Trails in the United States is the Pacific Northwest Trail (or PNT). It runs from the Continental Divide in Montana to the Pacific Ocean crossing over mountain ranges and some of the PNW's most spectacular scenery. Like a drop of water falling on the peak of the Rockies, follow the trail all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
If one is really keen, one could even hike the Pacific Northwest Trail after completing the massive Continental Divide Trail that runs from the border with Mexico to the border with Canada. Most of the National Scenic Trails are well over 100 miles and are just too much for most people to complete. The easiest and shortest one is the Natchez Trace trail which is only around 60 miles long.
Why The Pacific Northwest Trail Is One Of The Most Beautiful
The Pacific Northwest Trail is 1,200 miles long and crosses three national parks and seven national forests - it also runs into two other national scenic trails.
- Length: 1,200 miles
- Designated: Designated A National Scenic Trail In 2009
- States: Montana, Idaho, Washington
The trail starts at the Continental Divide in Montana's Glacier National Park and crosses mountain range after mountain range all the way to the Pacific Ocean by Washington's stunning Puget Sound.
- Beginning: The Continental Divide In Glacier National Park
- Ending: Near Cape Alava in Washington
See some of the most spectacular and scenic terrains of the United States along this trail. The landscapes are diverse. The trail also passes through the longest stretch of wilderness coast in the Lower 48 - 38 miles of Olympic's Wilderness Coast.
National Parks:
- North Cascades National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Olympic National Park
The Challenges Of Hiking The Pacific National Trail
The unofficial slogan of the Pacific Northwest Trail is "Against the Grain". This is because the trail climbs over seven mountain ranges. Some of these pathways can be quite challenging and present a number of unique risks and difficulties typical hikers and equestrians may be familiar with.
- Ranges: Crosses 7 Mountain Ranges
But not all the trail is so difficult. There are many sections that are much more accessible.
Hikers of the PNT should be prepared for changing and adverse weather conditions. The conditions can change rapidly due to flooding, wildfires, and weather fronts. The PNT also passes through lands where gray wolves and grizzly bears roam. Be careful to follow the appropriate guidelines on wildlife safety. These animals also make the PNT all the more special as they are largely extinct from other parts of the Lower 48.
Information about the PNT is aggregated by the Pacific Northwest Trail Association. There one can see up-to-date information from local land managers and trail conditions.
Thru-Hiking The Pacific Northwest Trail
The ultimate hike on the PNT is to complete a thru-hike. Thru-hiking requires one to plan ahead and to have the right gear.
How long it takes to hike the PNT depends on a few things - like how many rest days one takes and if one takes alternate routes along the way. If one hikes an average of 15 miles a day without rest stops or alternate routes, it would take around 80 days to complete. Most hikers finish the route in 60-70 days.
- Time To Complete: Average 60-70 Days
As the trail runs in an east-west direction, it has a narrow weather window compared to some of the other National Scenic Trails.
The best season for long-distance hikes is normally between mid-June and mid-September. This is when the mountain trails are typically snow-free (except for the highest elevations which may not clear until July).
- Peak Season: Mid-June to Mid-September
- Prime Hiking Season: Narrow Due To Snows
Besides snow, it is important to factor in sometimes hazardous stream crossings. The streams can be swollen due to snow melt in the early summer and can become impassable.
- Swift Creek Ford: South of Mount Baker is Often Impassable
One is free to hike in either a westbound or eastbound direction. Westbound is by far the most popular and guidebooks are written and organized for hikers moving west.
If one is thinking about something different and challenging for the summer, consider hiking one of America's National Scenic Trails!