PTC Section J

Section J is considered one of the most scenic sections of the PCT and just happens to be nearby.  There is easy access to the start and finish points and the length is reasonable for a 1 week trip. 

Section J is around 70 miles - more depending on camp sites selected.  It is best done as a 6-7-day hike.  Many do it as a 3.5-day hike, but that's a lot of miles to cover per day and is best attempted by seasoned backpackers traveling light. 

Itinerary

We plan to spread this 70 Mile Trek over 7 Days.  This makes the trip more manageable and more enjoyable.  

Other Itineraries for the MORE Adventurous 

Trying to pull this off with 3-4 nights requires lot of guts and preparation.  It also turns this wonderful trip into more of a grind.  

Maps - Overview

Any adventure requires a map.  For the PCT, the trail is well marked, which is great, but you'll still need a good map.

When selecting your maps, you'll need at least 2 different versions.  You should have a digital version for planning purposes and for programming your GPS.  You'll also NEED a paper version to carry with you.  A paper map is vital.

• AllTrails - PCT: WA Section J - Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass 

  • Easy to set up your own custom maps if you have a paid account

  • Great for digital use

  • Can be printed out - these are what we often use for day trips

    • See our Troop Forms and Documents under "Outings Information - Places" and under "PCT - Section J" for daily maps

    • GPX download also available for GPS

• Fatmap

  • PCT: Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass

  • Digital 

• National Geographics Maps

  • At 1:75,000, there is limited detail

  • Waterproof and Tear-Resistant

  • 825 :: Alpine Lakes Wilderness Map

    • Map Scale = 1:75,000

    • Sheet Size = 25.5" x 37.75"

    • Folded Size = 4.25" x 9.25"

    • 2024th edition (January 1, 2024)

  • 1002 :: Pacific Crest Trail: Washington North Map [Canada to Snoqualmie Pass]

    • Mini booklet

    • Waterproof and Tear-Resistant with Stainless Steel staples

    • Focus of maps are the PCT

    • Made in cooperation with the PCTA, these are sufficient

    • Map Scale = 1:75,000

    • Sections 13-16 needed for Section J

    • See Below

• US Forestry Service PCT Maps

  • Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Map 10 Seg 1 - Northern Washington

  • Survey date: 2006 (print date 2011)

  • Scale 1:63,360

  • Outdated and Out of Print

• Green Trails

  • Focus of map is on Trails - easier to read trails

  • Classic Maps - Scale 1:69,500

    • Better detail than National Geographic PCT Maps

    • Less detail than USGS Maps

  • Newer maps come in waterproof paper and sometimes more readable scale

    • No. 176S (North 2/3s of Section J)

      • Map Scale 1:63,360 (one inch = 1 mile)

    • No. 207SXL (South 1/3 of Section J)

      • Scale 1:31,680 (one inch = 0.5miles) 

  • See Below

• 7.5 x 7.5 Quad USGS Maps

  • U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute quadrangle maps

  • Scale 1:24,000 - better detail than others listed here

  • Bigger maps than other options

  • Can be downloaded for free

  • See Below

USGS Maps

USGS Maps are up to date, detailed and free to download.  If you are savvy, you can print out your own custom maps.  This is generally what we use for multi-day trips. 

• Format

  • Geospatial PDF

  • 7.5 x 7.5 minute topo maps

  • Scale 1:24,000

• USGS Topo vs FSTopo Maps

  • Forest Service FS Topo Maps are intended for internal Forest Service use

    • Shows Forest Service administrative boundaries and proclaimed boundaries 

    • May show FS campsites

  • Forest Service maps are updated every 2-7 years

  • USGS Topo maps are updated every 3 years

  • FSTopo is created from authoritative, standardized, and up-to-date data and is the authoritative large scale (1:24,000) map product for the Forest Service.

  • FSTopo Legacy is a static historic reference of topographic maps made by the Forest Service. The cartographic product FSTopo Legacy is no longer maintained.

• USGS vs USGS National Geographics Maps

  • USGS Maps

    •  7.5 x 7.5 minute topo maps

    • Best detail compared to other maps listed here 

    • Requires larger map for same area unless printed to different scale

    • Can be printed in Poster mode 

    • Multiple maps can be assembled and taped together

    • Print whatever scale you desire - this requires a bit of futzing and some skill

  • National Geographics USGS 

    • Formatted to be printed on 4 US-letter size sheet of paper

    • Much easier to print out and assemble

    • These look different from the original USGS maps

Green Trails

• • Popular NW maps sold by the Mountaineers

  • Print versions offered by the Mountaineers are waterproof

  • These focus on major trails and show distances between points

  • Formats

    • Maps come in different formats

      • CLASSIC MAPS

        • 12 x 18 

        • 15-minute coverage, paper, $8 each

        • Scale: 1:69,500

        • You can get these unfolded at the store - or request they are mailed rolled instead of folded

      • S MAPS

        • 18 x 24 

        • Waterproof, tear-resistant, ultralight, $14 each

      • SX MAPS

        • 22.5 x 30 

        • 60% more covered area than Classic maps

        • Waterproof, tear-resistant, ultralight, $18 each

      • SXL MAPS.  

        • 22.5 x 36 

        • Waterproof, tear-resistant, ultralight, $20 each

Missing Link

SouthEast corner of 175 and Northwest Corner of 208
Note Squiggly section of PCT on corner of 208
Note Pete Lake, which is  near one of the few access points to Section J
Also note that the PCT does NOT cross 175

Gear, Equipment and Food

• Mr. M Backpacking Packing List

• High Adventure Food List

• Ultralight gear- Lightweight minimalist gear not designed for most hikers

  • UL Gear for Scoutmasters - delicate and expensive gear not intended for the general public

  • UL Food - How to calculate what foods you carry and how to minimize what you carry

Plan

Planning should include the following (per Backpacking MB Requirement):

• Description of and route to the trek area

• Schedule (including a daily schedule)

• List of food and equipment needs

• Safety and emergency plan

• Budget

Description of and Route to the Trek Area

• Google Section J and read all about it

• Google Map routes to drop-off and pickup point

  • Who and how are we getting there and back?

Schedule (including a daily schedule)

See Itinerary above and modify as needed

Food and Equipment Needs

• Start with a generic packing list

• Environmental assessment

  • Temp rating for sleep system needed

  • Clothing 

  • Other gear - hats, sunglasses, etc. 

• Determine number of meal

• Determine fuel needed based on meals and temperature/environment

Safety and Emergency Plan

• Emergency Contact List

• Evac Procedures

  • Injury

  • Exhaustion

  • Wildfires

• Med Forms

• Coms 

  • Satellite messengers

• Trained Medical Personnel

• Medical Gear

• Water Crossings

• Wildlife and Bugs

• Maps, compass, GPS

Budget

• 3 Fs

  • Food

  • Fuel - cooking

  • Fuel - vehicle

• Permits

  • Backcountry

  • Parking

• Other

  • Bags

  • Specialty equipment

  • Maps

Permits and Restrictions

• Section J - Alpine Lakes Wilderness

  • Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Okanogan-Wenatchee - east of PCT Section J

  • Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie - west of PCT Section J

  • Wilderness regulations apply

  • Alpine Lakes Wilderness Regulations Booklet (PDF File) 

• If doing 500 or more miles of PCT

  • https://permit.pcta.org 

• Canada Entry

  • https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/permits/canada-pct-entry-permit

• Trailheads

  • Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass

  • Recreation Passes and Permits 

Resources

• AllTrails PCT: WA Section J - Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass

• WTA Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section J - Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass

• Pacific Crest Trail Association

• Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest: 

  • Northeast quarter -- Wenatchee River Ranger District: (509) 548-2550

  • Southeast quarter -- Cle Elum Ranger District: (509) 852-1100

• Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest: 

  • Southwest quarter -- Snoqualmie Ranger District: (425) 888-1421

  • Northwest quarter -- Skykomish Ranger District: (360) 677-2414