We finished hiking the PCT for 2024. We always had energy and enthusiasm for the trail and managed to avoid any injuries. Due to fires, we had more time off-trail than planned—but I didn’t mind the hostels, KOA, hotels, etc. Good times all around.

We hope to finish the PCT in two more summers. A lot depends on the availability of trail sections due to fire. Steven’s Pass to Hart’s Pass may remain closed next year, as well as other sections with fire damage.

My main takeaway from this summer—all the fun and unexpected things that happen on trail: snow and water crossings, amazing hospitality at hostels, conversations among hikers, trail magic, reroutes, and off-trail luxuries.

Upon reaching Snoqualmie, we headed to the Washington Alpine Club, a hostel where they provide free laundry, showers, breakfast, and dinner. Wonderful hospitality and food! The first night we were served spaghetti, salad, birthday cake, and ice cream. The second night it was cheeseburgers and banana splits. We also met many other hikers and talked about… the PCT! Forest fires was the main topic. As we were getting ready to leave, someone told us a new fire was on the trail just 40 miles north. We decided to call it quits and just leave the trail. 😔

We made our way to Cle Ulem on a shuttle and hitchhiked to the KOA in Leavenworth. And I have to admit, I didn’t hate it. The swimming pool and cheap ice cream floats made it bearable. So many people so close together!! We stayed two nights before we decided to head back up to the PCT to live for three days. It can be expensive living in town!

Steven’s Pass was foggy and drizzly but much cooler than the ninety degrees temps in Leavenworth. We hiked north on the trail for about 5 miles and made camp. It never rained but was a constant drizzle drip drip. We hiked early in the day, made camp by noon, and spent the rest of the day dry and happy in the tent. I love “tent time” with my phone: e-books, audio books, downloaded streaming and crossword puzzles. Never bored.

But the best thing of all—we decided to continue on the PCT!! The fire that was reported north of Snoqualmie was one tree on fire!! And has been extinguished. We’ll go back to Snoqualmie and hike to Steven’s Pass, then go around the big fires and hike from Hart’s Pass to the Canadian border. About 178 more miles.

Thursday morning our friend Darryl picked us up at Steven’s Pass with his brand new trucktop camper and has been spoiling us silly! We slept in a mattress with sheets, been cooking on his stove, and did a day hike today. Tomorrow morning he is driving us back to Snoqualmie Pass, so we can continue.

Since Trout Lake we’ve hiked between 15-19 miles each day with an average of 3500 feet elevation gain each day. One day we were hiking the same pace as a group of young hikers, finishing 17 miles before 3pm. We were feeling pretty proud of ourselves. As we were getting ready to make camp for the night, they told us they were going to hike 17 MORE miles that same day. 34 mile days. Wow.

The highlight of this section was Goat Rocks Wilderness Area. A beautiful valley filled with wildflowers and waterfalls, followed by amazing campsites with views of both Mt. Adams (to the south) and Mt. Rainier (to the north), and The Knife’s Edge, a PCT alternate route along a mountain ridge.

Fires in Washington to the south and north. We’re never in danger since we stay well informed but it has definitely changed our plans. We are considering stopping at Steven’s Pass, 70 miles ahead, or maybe doing a re-route south of Rainy Pass. There is currently a new fire east of Manning Park in Canada, our projected finish for the section. Seems like we should just go and hang out with Emma in Idaho for a while and come back to finish this section another year. We’ll see…