The Pasayten Wilderness covers 531,000 acres and skirts more than 50 miles of Canada's border along the crest of the Cascades. There are almost 150 peaks over 7,500 feet in elevation, 160 bodies of water, many turbulent rivers and creeks that have carved sharp canyons with sheer rock walls. The rugged ridges in the western half of the wilderness flatten into more open plateaus toward the east, with deep drainage basins throughout the area reminiscent of the rest of the North Cascades. The forests here contains an abundance of types of trees including fir, cedar, western hemlock, pine, and larch. Snow falls between October and May, and springtime snow can block the higher trails well into August in some years. East side trails are usually free of snow by early July.
More than 600 miles of trail provide access into the Wilderness, many of them deceptively gentle at the start and become progressively steeper as they climb up multiple switchbacks into the higher elevations. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) crosses the area north-south for about 32 miles. The Boundary Trail begins in the southeast corner of the Wilderness and meanders north and west for over 73 miles near the Canadian border to eventually join the Pacific Crest Trail.
There are about 30 Bulger Peaks in this area, most of which are easier than the high peaks further west. By far the most difficult one in the Pasayten Wilderness is Jack Mountain, which is also the highest one. Hiking to the summit of the Bulgers in this area are characterized by long trail approaches to get to groups of peaks. Many trips into the Pasayten easily exceed 3-4 days. The closest town is Winthrop, which is really the only true historic mountain town in Washington besides Leavenworth. Many great local eateries can be found here.
More than 600 miles of trail provide access into the Wilderness, many of them deceptively gentle at the start and become progressively steeper as they climb up multiple switchbacks into the higher elevations. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) crosses the area north-south for about 32 miles. The Boundary Trail begins in the southeast corner of the Wilderness and meanders north and west for over 73 miles near the Canadian border to eventually join the Pacific Crest Trail.
There are about 30 Bulger Peaks in this area, most of which are easier than the high peaks further west. By far the most difficult one in the Pasayten Wilderness is Jack Mountain, which is also the highest one. Hiking to the summit of the Bulgers in this area are characterized by long trail approaches to get to groups of peaks. Many trips into the Pasayten easily exceed 3-4 days. The closest town is Winthrop, which is really the only true historic mountain town in Washington besides Leavenworth. Many great local eateries can be found here.
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