[pct-l] Things to know the last 62 miles to Canada

[Andrea Dinsmore]

*Things to know the last 62 miles to Canada*

*(Rainy Pass to the border)*

*-Rainy Pass has an outhouse and a small area to pitch a tent*

*-You can cross HWY 20 to get to this area. If you are in need of a town,
Mazama (14 miles),and Winthrop(35 miles)are closest. You should be able to
hitch in.*

*-Winthrop has cell service, Mazama has good Verizon service, limited AT&T.
There is no cell service on the trail from Stehekin to the border.*

*-Your next chance for a ride off the trail is Hart's Pass, 31 miles from
Rainy Pass. The road up to Hart's Pass is very rough, and traffic up there
is limited. There is a National Forrest CG at Hart's Pass, but no water at
the campground. There is a water source about 1/2 mile up the road toward
Slate Peak. There is a volunteer cabin that is staffed until the end of
September. They have Tuesdays/Wednesdays off, and have an emergency radio.
There are trail angels (Meander, Joker, and Dan) who are at the campground
on weekends September until early October.*

*The road ends at Hart's Pass. The 31 miles of trail to the border is all
there is.*

*The snow often stays on the trail here through mid July.*

*There is a hut (yurt) at Windy Pass, about 5 miles from Harts Pass. You
can stay there in an emergency.*

*Services in Mazama*

*no public transportation, no post office, limited cell service.*

*very good general store to resupply (Mazama Store),and an outdoor
equipment store (The Goat's Beard),all hiker friendly. The Goat's Beard has
a hiker box, and the Mazama store will accept hiker boxes.*

*Ravensong Roost (PCT 1976) (206-2285904) www.ravensongroost.com
<http://www.ravensongroost.com> -is a hiker friendly place to stay.*

*Services in Winthrop*

*no public transportation (there is a cab company-Classic Mountain
Cabby-509/9962894)*

*grocery stores, outdoor shops for resupply-Rita at Winthrop Mountain
Sports offers reduced rates on renting snowshoes and buying equipment
(509/9962886)*

*Many restaurants, easy to get around*

*cell service, post office -coffee shops and library with wifi*

*hike friendly town, with many opportunities to hitch a ride*

*there is a good community bulletin board operated by Methownet where you
can post requests for rides*

*(509)6990568  www.northcascadesmountainhostel.com
<http://www.northcascadesmountainhostel.com>. Hiker friendly and provide
assistance*

*Rides,info & stuff*

*Trail Angels for rides, free camping area-Teresa Skye
(Skyward)-(509)3414250, David Ward (509)3414064. You can also try the
Schoolhouse Pub, they've been helpful with hiker rides in the past.*

*The Methow Valley Ranger District, located in Winthrop, 509/9964003, works
on the trails along this section of the PCT and knows trail conditions.
Severe rain last summer did damage to the trail around Rocky Pass, and
there were several washouts. The District Office says as soon as the snow
melts they plan to have trail crews out working on it.*

*Mountain Education is offering specific snow courses for this area, Hart's
Pass to Monument 78. Dates are June 13-15,20-22, 27-29 July
4-6,11-13,18-20,25-27, and August 1-3. Check www.mountaineducation.org
<http://www.mountaineducation.org> for details.*

*Meander has put important transportation info in the Monument, like how to
get to Vancouver or Seattle from Manning Park.*

*The closest public transportation from Winthrop is either Sedro Wooley
(158 miles away), or Pateros (43 miles). From either of those towns you can
connect to Seattle.*