[pct-l] Section J versus North Cascades Natl Park

[Barry Teschlog]

"Is the North Cascades National Park so cool that I should ignore the chance to log PCT miles?"
IMO:  No, no it's not.

Section J, is the hands down winner.

Having done all of the PCT in Washington twice (sectioned 01 to 05 and thru in 06) I can say that IMO Section J is the best in Washington when you take the quality / quantity of scenery per mile, overall physical difficulty of the trail, logistics, etc. into consideration.  Depending on your physical condition, I think one week on this section can be just right.  When I did it in '01, I took 7 days with my too heavy pack and too out of shape self.  When I went back the following year in far better shape and a 20 lb lighter pack, I took a very leisurely 6 days.  On the thru, it was 3 1/2 days.  For a section hiker with a week available, I could see spending a whole day at Spectacle Lake and / or Deep Lake along the way.


Another advantage of Section J, as you noted in the post, you avoid the hassle of permitting with the NCNP (For Section J you self register at the trail head, put the tag on your pack and you're good to go).  


Now, I'm NOT dissing the section from Stehekin or Hwy 20 / North Cascades Highway to the border, not by any means - heck, ALL of the PCT north of Snoqualmie Pass to the border is some of the best anywhere on the entire trail.  And from Rainy Pass north to the border is some great scenery, THE perfect way to cap off a thru hike.  However the logistics of this last section are far more challenging that Snoqualmie to Stevens (or doing section J SOBO, which is what I'd recommend).