Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section L - Rainy Pass to Manning Park
After passing through the North Cascades National Park, the PCT heads east for this final section that runs along the eastern edge of the Cascades and through the Pasaysten Wilderness before ending in Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia.
From beginning to end, the route offers a wide array of scenery, from the jagged peaks of the Cascades to valleys, ridges, meadows and woods in the expansive and rugged Pasaysten Wilderness. Early fall is the best time to come, when the fall foliage puts on a brilliant display of reds, golds, yellows and green throughout this 70-mile stretch. Though it starts in Rainy Pass, this section is actually protected from much of the rain and snow that Mount Baker and the rest of the North Cascades to the west are so well known for. For this reason, late-season hikers should be prepared to pack in water, though water sources are available at Harts Pass. From late October through mid-summer, however, hikers should still expect and prepare for snowy and icy conditions, and winter hikers must watch out for avalanche conditions along the often exposed route. Through hikers should also keep in mind that there are no supplies available along this section, and the only vehicle access is at Harts Pass, where Road 5400 crosses the trail. Also remember to bring your passport and review the border crossing procedures, as this section crosses the US-Canada border at Monument 78 66.2 miles into the trek.(NOTE: As of 10/2010, it is no longer legal to cross the border heading southbound into the US from Canada on the PCT. Check the PCTA website (www.pcta.org) for more information about border crossing before heading out.) Recent Trip Reports
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Overnight
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Snow on trail
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This was actually my second choice, Cascade Pass being #1, but the camp was already reserved. But this destination is...
This was actually my second choice, Cascade Pass being #1, but the camp was already reserved. But this destination is a top-shelf, #1, primo spot and, since it is just east of the crest, has better weather.
The trail was dry and dusty toward Cutthroat Lake (ripe berries there) and some mountain bikers passed us, surprisingly but politely. Blue skies and not-too-warm temps for the ascent to the pass. We set up camp just above Cutthroat Pass, to the north, with great views. There is only one water source that we could find... back down the trail about a half a mile is a trickling stream and it will probably be gone once all the snow melts. That evening got very cold, as we watched our first-choice destination roil with clouds, we felt a bitterly cold wind. We woke to a fog bank, which lifted as the morning went on. The lack of blue gave me a reason to look down to flowers, rather than out to mountains (nice how that works out). We explored the PCT north which is nearly flat, just a few patches of snow, none difficult to cross. Granite Pass was stunning and you can see to Methow Pass and beyond. I am jealous of my friend and the rest of you who will be backpacking from Rainy to Hart's Pass soon! Bring a large capacity memory card for your camera! We reluctantly broke camp at 3PM and got back down at 5:30 for the long drive home. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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I wandered the trail from Meadows campground north to Windy Pass. The part of the trail from the campground,...
I wandered the trail from Meadows campground north to Windy Pass. The part of the trail from the campground, to the upper trailhead on the road, is knee deep in wildflower meadows. On the way back, a nap on the trail in the middle of the flowers was in order. Heaven, the scent of flowers, no bugs, no people, and all those flowers moving in the breeze. I didn't see anyone on the trail the whole day, even though the trailhead on the road was full of cars. Ground squirrels peeping, and popping up, and swallows dancing kept me company. In places the upper rock fields are sprinkled with white cushion flowers like freshly fallen snow.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Camped at Meadows campground, cold wind and clouds rolled in during the 2 nights up there. ...
Camped at Meadows campground, cold wind and clouds rolled in during the 2 nights up there. Hiked south from Hart's Pass to Glacier Pass. Gardens of wildflowers in bloom, different varieties around every corner. Purple flowers, and bright paintbrush cling to the loose slippery scree slopes. no black flies, no horse flies and few mosquitoes.... the little snow still hanging on is no problem as far as I went on the trail.....
Multi-night backpack
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bridge out | Mud/Rockslide | Water on trail | Snow on trail | Bugs
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Started at Rainy pass and went to Methow pass via Cutthroat ridge and Granite pass. Hike up to the ridge...
Started at Rainy pass and went to Methow pass via Cutthroat ridge and Granite pass. Hike up to the ridge is in decent shape. Downed trees and a big log is out but with good waterproof boots you can walk right through it. Arrived at the ridge and camped for one night. Headed N on PCT the next morning and had to deal with some snow along the ridge which was a little sketchy. In order to make it through here, I would suggest going just after 10AM when the snow has warmed up a little. Otherwise you take a good chance of sliding down an icy avalanche. The switchbacks down to granite pass are not snow free. Not sure why the july 21st report says it's snow free but there are some walls of snow that you have get around and some snow you have to trek through. It can be challenging for some. From granite to Methow it's completely dry but with good water sources along the way.
Set up at Methow pass around 4PM and at about 5PM, the WTA crew arrived and set up about 4-6 tents. One group set up about 10 feet from us and played ultimate frisbee around the campsite. At about 6AM, they were shaking there tent fly and chatting really loud waking everyone else at that site. I really appreciate the WTA for what they do but this group did not have much respect for other campers. We laid there for the next hour trying to sleep but couldn't because they were almost yelling to talk to each other. This wasn't the solitude I was expecting but I guess that's what we get for setting up next to the trail. Left Methow at exactly 10AM and hiked back to Rainy Pass in 4½ hours. I believe it's about 10 miles from Methow to Rainy. Anyways, amazing hike and not that busy.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section L - Rainy Pass to Manning Park
— Aug 13, 2011
— dontraille
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bridge out | Overgrown | Snow on trail
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Day hike/run from Hart's Pass south to Rainy Pass. 4 of us started from Hart's Pass CG for a 31...
Day hike/run from Hart's Pass south to Rainy Pass. 4 of us started from Hart's Pass CG for a 31 mile day, and 5 from the TH at Meadows CG for a 29 mile day.
We started up the road with a bit of trepidation, given reports from a week previous of snow on 30 of these 31 miles, and no reports from hikers going through this section. We were glad to know that the moon would be full and the sky was clear. But our fears were unfounded. It had really melted out except for patches from Granite Pass to the switchbacks south of Cutthroat Pass. Not only that, a WTA crew had bucked out the down trees for all but the final mile. Nine cheers for this great group from WTA who started a few days ahead of us at Hart's Pass. We caught up to them just before Rainy. The weather was great at that elevation, with cloud banks of marine air trapped in alpine valleys, catching mountain shadows on top of the clouds in early morning. The trail was clear except for dense wet vegetation overgrowing the low point along Brush Creek, which lived up to its name. Several bear scat piles along there, too. Deer, a goat, a porcupine, marmots, gray-crowned rosy finches. Just one tent and no humans about until Methow Pass, if I remember correctly. Steep alpine meadows were green and in full sudden glory after the late melt-out. The snowy areas included some traverses but none with "no fall" danger, and were all manageable in running shoes with a pole for our group. Those who are not used to travel on snow might have second thoughts, but it should be just about all melted with a few more sunny days. The long easy-graded stretches at 6100 to 6800 ft elevation are nice for this kind of day, with spectacular alpine surroundings. Plenty of water opportunities. Log bridge is out near Rainy Pass (at Porcupine Creek?) for a wet crossing. We started at 6 am, finished between 3 and 5 pm. Saved the full moon for sleeping out on the deck in Winthrop. |
Fall foliage along the PCT. Photo by Bobster.
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