Tacoma Pass PCT North 2015-10-23

11.53 miles and 2,638 feet of elevation gain

Another gravel road ride out to Tacoma Pass, this time to hike north on the Pacific Crest Trail.  We have now hiked all of the PCT between Stampede and Tacoma Passes.

Time permitting, we were going to attempt to reach the top of Snowshoe Butte.  I planned a short bushwhack from the trail to an old logging road but lost track of where we were so we just followed the road from where it crossed the trail.  At the end of the road there appears to be a faint boot path that continues up the hill at least for a short distance.   On the way back we bushwhacked downhill for about 100 feet.  It was pretty easy and saved over a mile and 200 feet of elevation.  

Google Maps link

Taking a break at the base of Bearpaw Butte with Mt Rainier in the distance

Looking back on Bearpaw Butte.

All the 'boys' enjoying the view.

The Stewart Range in the far distance.

pub 3/29/2016

Blowout Mt 2015-10-15

13.78 miles and 2,676 feet of elevation gain

Continuing our quest of hiking as much as we can of the southern portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, we drove out to Tacoma Pass and headed south.  Tacoma Pass is 13 miles from I-90 on gravel roads with only a couple of signs and many forks in the road.

A couple of things were unusual about this hike.  First, when we started up the hill from the pass I noticed how quite and calm it was.  When we stopped and just stood still there wasn't any sound.  Absolute dead silence and not the slightest hint of a breeze.  This continued until we were almost to the top of the hill.  The second was having a fighter jet pass almost directly overhead at a fairly low altitude.  Not tree top level but lower than what I would expect.  We were walking in trees along the top of ridge when it passed overhead, I couldn't see the jet so they couldn't have seen me.  A practice run with thermal imagery or is it time to put the tinfoil helmet back on?

Google Maps link

Tacoma Pass, drove right past it.  Earlier there was a sign indicating Tacoma Pass in one mile.  Nothing at the pass and no visible signs for the PCT.  On the right, you can barely see the PCT heading north.

The parking area.

The super quiet part of the trail.

I'm sure this is a PCT hiker made sign.  There isn't any water for many miles on either side of Tacoma Pass.

Sly enjoying the cool water.

 Gravel roads cross the PCT in several places and some have a campsite.  This was the biggest by far.

Some views along the last leg to Blowout.

The 'ascent' to Blowout Mountain.  Okay, it is more of a high spot on the PCT, but does have clear views on the north side. 

Views from the top

And a view south to Mt Rainier.

pub 3/28/2016