My buddy told me to skip the official PCT entry at Harts Pass and I'm glad I listened

A friend who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail a few years back told me to avoid the official northern terminus entry at Harts Pass in Washington. He said the permit system was a mess and the crowds in late June were awful. Instead, he suggested starting at Rainy Pass and doing a 30 mile out-and-back to the border monument, then heading south. I was worried about missing the official start, but I tried his way last summer. It was perfect. I got my border photo with only two other people there, and the hike back to Rainy Pass was quiet and beautiful. The official entry point had a line of about fifteen hitters when I passed it later. Has anyone else found a better alternate start for a big trail like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

grant4652mo ago

That Rainy Pass trick sounds brilliant. I got stuck in a permit line for two hours at a different trailhead last year. Smart planning really does save the whole vibe.

ivanl761mo ago

Double down on that early start idea @grant465, it's the only way to beat the crowds on most permits now. I always show up at the ranger station an hour before they open with coffee and a book, ends up saving me from those two hour slogs you mentioned. A little extra prep on the front end keeps the whole trip feeling like a hike instead of a DMV visit.

jade32mo ago

Yeah, my cousin had a similar thing happen on the Appalachian Trail. He skipped the big crowd at Springer Mountain by starting at Amicalola Falls a day earlier than his permit said. He just did the approach trail backwards to tag the official start later when it was empty. Said it made the whole first week feel more like a real hike and less like waiting in line at a theme park. That kind of smart planning seems to make all the difference on these popular trails now.