2026 July 5th

This report uses southbound mile marker numbers because by the time northbound hikers get to Washington the snow is melted and trail conditions are well known. The target audience is southbound thru hikers and section hikers.

To view southbound mile markers in the In the FarOut app go to Settings and change the Trail Direction. This does not change the visual orientation of the trail, it just changes the mile marker numbers.

Access Roads and Trails

Exit/entry to Section K is very limited this year. The current status of the major access roads and trails can be found here Access Roads and Trails

Section L (Canada to Rainy Pass)

Until this section completely clears, southbound thru hikers with a permit-dictated start date might want to use the Robinson Creek alternate route to the north terminus.

Sadly, the Slate Peak Fire Lookout collapsed over the winter. So you may see ruins.
Hikers near the Canadian border may experience haze from the fire in BC. There are no fires affecting the PCT in Washington. The 6/24 lightning fires are contained as was the Winthrop (Hamilton) fire.
Blowdowns between the Canada border and Castle Pass.
[mm 7] Starting from the Canadian border, the first patch of snow is south of Hopkins Lake half way up the ridge to Devils Staircase. Patchy snow continues to the top of Devils Staircase and for another mile or so beyond.
[mm 11.5, mm 13.5] The next snow you will encounter is at Woody Pass and the north side of Rock Pass. While these patches are small, they are steep.
[mm 23.5] There are snow patches on the NE slope north of Windy Pass.
[mm 33-38] Two large snow patches on the east slope of Syncline Mountain, then a couple small patches at Grasshopper Pass.
[mm 52.6] !Dangerous washout ... (N350 Blades are aware).
[mm 54] Snow patches at Glacier Pass, the typical large patches at Cutthroat Pass. Snow patches end at the last switchback descending into Porcupine Creek.

Section K North (Rainy Pass to NF Sauk River)

Trail is snow-free from Rainy Pass to High Bridge and beyond to Vista Ridge. Suiattle Pass is clear.
As with past years, some aggressive bear activity has been reported in the NCNP portion of the PCT. These are only black bears.
Windfalls have been cleared from Rainy Pass to Maple Creek, from Six Mile Camp to High Bridge, and south of High Bridge for 8.25 miles by N350 Blades.
Note; Services in Stehekin are impacted by the December floods. Details are on the Resupply page.
[mm 71] A temporary suspension bridge has been installed over Maple Creek.
[mm 93] There is a warning that the S. F. Agnes Creek Bridge at Hemlock Camp is out which is odd to me because that bridge was already gone last year.
[mm 103] Debris from an avalanche below Plummer Mtn. just before crossing Miners Creek.
[mm 119] You will hit intermittent snow patches as you climb up Vista Ridge. The Dolly Creek snowfield can be especially dangerous. The steep Milk Creek valley is snow free.
[mm 131] Snow again as you get close to Mica Lake which is still remarkably frozen over. Snow ends at mm 133.5 and you won't see it again until Red Pass.
[mm 140] Kennedy Creek is rapid so cross with caution and with friends.
[mm 143.75] Baekos Bridge is still cracked in half but still in place and usable as a bridge.
[mm 147.5] Frequent patches for the last mile or so as you climb the north side of Red Pass. As soon as you are over the pass the snow stops.

Section K South (NF Sauk River to Stevens Pass)

[mm 155.5] You will encounter snow again on the NE slope of Kodak Peak. Spotty snow for the next 5-6 miles.
[mm 160.5] The southernmost snow you will encounter in Section K is south of Lake Sally Ann. No snow from there to Elk Pass in Section I.
Stevens Pass is open for summer operations.

Section J (Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass)

Completely snow free, even Pieper Pass and the north side of Alaska Mtn.
[mm 193] Rockslide across trail just south of Lake Susan Jane (See N350 Blades assessment).
[mm 224.5] Waptus River Bridge has washed away.
Plan for a lot of windfalls in the north end of Section J.

Section I, North (Snoqualmie Pass to Naches Pass)

Completely clear of snow.

Section I, Mid (Naches Pass to Chinook Pass)

Completely clear of snow.

Section I, South (Chinook Pass to White Pass)

Completely clear of snow.

Section H, North (White Pass to Midway)

[mm 363.5] Patches for a half mile as you approach the ridge north of Shoe Lake.
[mm 372] You will encounter snow as you approach the headwaters of the Clearfork Cowlitz River. The snow stops after 1.5 miles when the trail turns S/SE. Then the trail is clear but the snow will be on the east side of the trail the entire way to Old Snowy Mtn.
[mm 375.5] Here the Old Snowy Mtn snow patches begin and continue for 1.75 miles to mm 377.25
[mm 380.25] After you cross the Cispus River you will encounter a few insignificant snow patches as you go over Cispus Pass. The snow ends as soon as you cross over the 2nd ridge, off the reservation at mm 381.75
No snow from Cispus Pass to Cascade Locks/Bridge of the Gods. That includes Mt Adams and Indian Heaven.

Section H, Mid (Midway to Williams Mine)

Completely clear of snow.

Section H, South (Williams Mine to Columbia River)

Completely clear of snow.