Major Step Forward for Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

The hiking and trails community has a reason to celebrate an important milestone in the development of the approximately 1,200 mile Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT). The PNT stretches from the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park to Cape Alava, the westernmost point of Washington on the Olympic Coast.

Today, the Forest Service released a draft decision approving the comprehensive management plan for the PNT. The new comprehensive plan will guide the development of the trail over the coming decades. WTA has provided input on this plan throughout its development, and we are thrilled that the Forest Service will soon deliver this critical document to Congress.

After traversing the Pasayten Wilderness, the PNT climbs into North Cascades National Park. Photo along Devil's Dome by Jay Thompson.

A long trail through the splendor of wild places

The PNT crosses spectacular landscapes and connects national parks, national forests, state parks and other publicly protected lands across Washington, Idaho and Montana. The Washington portion of the trail includes the Boundary Trail through the remote Pasayten Wilderness, and runs through both North Cascades National Park and Olympic National Park.

A key part of the plan defines the character of the trail that “invites travelers into the backcountry and wilderness areas, to seek the grandeur of glaciated peaks, tranquil lakes, boundless horizons of majestic mountains, deep canyons, broad river valleys, storm-carved coastlines and the splendor of wild places.”

The PNT contours through Seven Lakes Basin in Olympic National Park. Photo by Alex Neier.

A plan for protection, shared stewardship

The comprehensive plan assures the PNT and the trail experience it provides will receive proper protections and will support shared stewardship across federal land boundaries. Clarifying management direction, this document will provide guidance for key challenges including selecting optimal new routes for the trail. Around one third of the PNT is temporarily located on roads. With this plan in place, new trail locations can be studied and new trail segments will be constructed as conditions allow.

A trail decades in the making

Long distance hiking advocates proposed the PNT in the early 1970s, (though the plan also recognizes that the trail passes through lands that are the home of indigenous nations and communities and have been for many thousands of years). After years of campaigning for the trail, the PNT was designated by Congress as one of United States’ national scenic trails through the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009.

WTA has supported the PNT since before its designation and continues to care for the trail. Michael DeCramer, WTA’s policy and planning manager, serves on the Federal Advisory Council that recently made recommendations on the plan’s language to the Secretary of Agriculture.

The hiking community has been championing the PNT for years. Our partners at the Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA) and the US Forest Service deserve special praise for their leadership in reaching this important milestone.

PNTA staff in particular have worked tirelessly to assure a bright future for the trail. 

PNTA Executive Director Jeff Kish said: “I joined the advisory council for the inaugural meetings in 2015 and 2016 and then began my role at PNTA in 2016. Providing input throughout the comprehensive planning process that has followed has made up a large portion of my efforts throughout my last seven years with the association. I appreciate the contributions WTA will be able to make in the trail’s maintenance as the planning process continues to move forward, and look forward to our continued partnership as the plan is implemented.”

The PNT runs from Cape Alava on the Olympic Peninsula to Glacier National Park in Montana. The trail is approximately 1,200 miles long and crosses many federal land boundaries. This map is part of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan Environmental Assessment published by the USDA Forest Service.

• join a work party along the PNT
• Lake Ann 8/10-8/13
• North Fork Sullivan Creek 8/17-8/20
• Tubal Cain 8/19
• Tubal Cain 8/20
• Tubal Cain 8/22

Hike or volunteer on trail

In the years to come, WTA will continue to support the PNT through trail maintenance and will continue to advocate for funding for federal agencies to help relocate segments of the PNT off roads. It takes many years to turn a long distance hiking trail from an idea into a 1,200 mile continuous footpath.

You can celebrate this important step in the development of the PNT by going on a hike or backpacking trip along the trail and filing a trip report. You can also join a WTA work party along the PNT this summer. Recent fires have increased the challenge of maintaining the PNT in more remote places like the Pasayten Wilderness, so working to maintain sections of the trail and access points will be critical for years to come.

A 2017 WTA backcountry response team trail crew hikes in Horseshoe Basin. Photo by Jeremy Tarife