Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail — Saturday, Sep. 28, 2024

WOWEE WOW

I've put this off for years because I haven't been in shape enough to do it, and finally decided to try on a whim. It was still a challenge (easier than Maple Pass, IMO), but well worth it! This was, by far, my favorite hike in my years of hiking.

I arrived in the Cutthroat Pass lot across from the Rainy Pass lot around 1030am on Saturday, and it was packed. With the number of dayhikers and backpackers I saw on the trail, I can only assume it was being used as an overflow for Maple Pass. Nonetheless, I found a spot off the highway and still in the protection of the lot "area" (beware of potholes). A NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required, or a day-use Pass can be purchased at the TH - Discovery Passes for state parks are not valid here (rangers were making their rounds both days). The restrooms were stocked, clean, and smelled good for a trailhead bathroom! There were also receptacles for doggy bags near the restrooms and near the trailhead sign that were being cleaned out both days.

I was pleasantly surprised at how clean the trail was, given its popularity. There were no dog bags or piles on trail (some large poo piles from a recent stock outing), and I only found one tiny piece of foil trash that was easy to pack out. Lots of dogs off leash, which is kind of dangerous given the landscape (and don't even get me started on the, "but he's friendly" stuff, lol).

As others have mentioned, water dries up pretty quickly after the established camp sites about 1.5mi below the Pass. I filtered water from a small streamlet that was flowing through some moss about 0.8mi below the Pass.

Larches are on the verge of popping! I swear some were green yesterday and started turning gold this morning when I left, so over the next week or so they should be nice and bright!

Overnight camping at the Pass was an adventure. When I left yesterday morning, the forecast said I should expect clear skies and a light 5mph wind, with temps dropping close to freezing. No big deal. Nature had other plans, apparently, because the wind picked up and it snowed overnight! I checked my Garmin multiple times throughout the night: it said the Pass was seeing gusts at 25mph+ (I couldn't even start my stove to cook my dinner or breakfast), but it still said to expect no precipitation. Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning with snow on my tent and the ground!

There were a few PCT thru-hikers that strolled in late last night and left early this morning, and I ran into another just after Porcupine Creek and chatted with him before continuing on my way out. Good luck to everyone on their way to Canada!