General Information: The trail side hills and follows ridges of the Cascade crest. The majority of the trail is above timberline with sweeping views. Trail grade does not exceed 10 percent. This popular trail is the final leg of the Mexico to Canada trek. This is also the major north-south trunk trail of the Western Pasayten with many east-west branches, making many loop trips possible. Camps are generally located about every 6-7 miles though in late summer finding water can be a problem on some stretches. There is fishing at the Methow River, Hopkins Lake (7 miles south of the Canadian Border), and at several other lakes accessible by short cross-country routes. Camps with horse feed are available at Porcupine Creek, Methow River, Glacier Pass, Windy Pass, Goat Lakes Basin, Mountain Home, Hopkins Pass and Castle Pass. The trial between Methow and Glacier passes sometimes experiences slides. Some stretches of trail (Lakeview Ridge, section between Rock And Woody passes) often do not melt out until late July/ early August.
Since most of this trail is in fragile alpine areas, special attention is needed to avoid unnecessary impact. Please refrain from building campfires, many of the camps in this area are in meadows with easily damaged vegetation and little firewood. Reduce your visual impact by finding camps away from the trail and sheltered by trees and land forms. 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 on hobbles instead.
Directions: From Winthrop, Drive highway 20 14 miles to Mazama turnoff. Turn right to Mazama, then left onto the Hart's Pass Road (county road 1163). Drive 18.5 miles to Hart's Pass and turn right towards Slate Peak.
Elevation: 6,000 feet
Ending Elevation: 5,000 feet
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
Distance: 70.2 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
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Okanogan National Forest, Washington
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