Pacific Crest Trail (South) 2000

Access: From Winthrop, take Highway 20 west about 14 miles to the Mazama turn off and turn right. At Mazama turn left onto Okanogan County Road 9140, and drive about 18.5 miles to Hart's Pass. (County Road 9140 becomes Forest Service Road 5400 and is also known as Hart's Pass Road.) At Hart's Pass bear right toward Slate Peak. (CAUTION; Hart’s Pass Road is graveled, steep, and one lane with limited turnouts. Trailers are not allowed and defensive driving is a must. Drive slowly and be careful on corners. If you meet a large truck, let it pass on the inside if you can -- keeps the heavier vehicle off the outside edge of the road.)

Route Description: Heavy used trail with two stretches of timbered valleys, and two stretches of scenic alpine traverses.  Trail grade does not exceed 10% (generally only 7.5%).

Highlights: Camps are generally located about every 6-7 miles, though in late summer finding water can be a problem on some stretches.  Camps with horse feed are available at Porcupine Creek and Methow River. 

Specific Hazards/Difficulties: The trail between Methow and Granite passes sometimes  experiences slides with loss of tread. experiences slides. Some stretches of trail (especially near Granite Pass)often do not melt out until late July - early August. Since most of the trail is in fragile alpine areas, special attention is needed to avoid unnecessary impact. Please refrain from building campfires; many of the camps in these areas are in alpine  meadows and it's easy to damage vegetation and there is little firewood. Reduce your visual impact by finding camps away from the trail and sheltered by trees and landforms. Horse users should be careful to avoid tying stock to the small, easily killed trees common at the higher elevations. Use a high-hitch line or hobbles instead.

Length: Hart's Pass - Rainy Pass 
                31.1 miles/50.4 km.

Season: July - September.

Maps: USGS: Castle Peak, Pasayten Peak, Slate Peak, Mt. Arriva, Washington Pass, McAlester Mtn.
             Green Trails: Jack Mtn., Pasayten Peak, Washington Pass, Stehekin.

Restrictions: Wilderness use restrictions apply.

Trailhead Facilities: Northwest Forest Pass required.

Rainy Pass - Stock ramp, hitch rail, pit toilets.

Hart's pass - Stock ramp, hitch rail, pit toilets.

Manning Park B.C. - Stock ramp, hitch rail, pit toilets