[pct-l] Hood and Rainier on a Thru-hike

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, Sam,

Mt. Hood can be climbed during the PCT thru-hiking season, but August isn’t
the best time to do so.  Depending upon the season and the weather Hood can
be a walk-up or a killer. Please see:
http://www.summitpost.org/mount-hood/150189

For a hiker who likes to bag peaks there is another very interesting – and
often overlooked – opportunity in Oregon:  Mt. Thielsen, near the PCT just
north of Crater Lake. http://www.summitpost.org/mount-thielsen/150419  It’s
only about 9,000 ft. elevation but it is rugged near the top and it has a
very small and satisfying, summit – literally about the large enough to park
a VW.  Exposure off the summit, particularly the north side, is enough to
make a mountain goat puke.

Also in Oregon is Mt Jefferson
http://www.summitpost.org/mount-jefferson-oregon/150576, but although it is
near the trail it isn’t often climbed by PCT hikers.  Alpine gear is
necessary and being in a Wilderness Area it’s away from easy availability of
such gear.

Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Fri, Apr 1, 2011 at 7:21 AM, Samuel Ward <samward36 at gmail.com> wrote:

> How feasible is a Hood or Rainier side trip while doing a PCT thru-hike?
> I'm less interested in the gear requirements and more in the logistics of
> how someone made it work while on a thru hike.
>
> Can Hood be done in a day?  Timberline lodge seems like a good staging
> area,
> you're already halfway up.  What are some good resources for maps or trail
> descriptions?
>
> Do you have to have a guide for Rainier?  Are there cheaper alternatives?
> Is it reasonable to assume its a 4-7 day detour from the PCT?  Where is the
> best access?  It looks like for at least Rainier there are some outfitters
> or guide services that will let you rent any gear you're not already
> carrying.
>
> I'm from the east coast so 1) I dont know anyone personally who has hiked
> either of these and 2) I would like to make the most out of my time out
> west.  Potentially grabbing the high point in all three PCT states is very
> enticing.  If you've had personal experience with hiking these I'd love to
> hear how it worked out.  Thanks.
>
> Sam
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