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For another short day hike that includes a short distance on the Pacific Crest Trail, check out the Cutthroat Pass hike, reported to be hikable July through mid-October.

Green Trails Map # 50 Washington Pass

Take Highway 20 east from Newhalem, to Rainy Pass, which is where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses. Apparently, you might have to arrange transportation, because there may not be any place to park at Rainy Pass on Hwy 20. If that's the case, consider arranging parking in Newhalem, and then catching a ride to Rainy Pass.

If you call the ranger district, you might get better ideas for parking / transportation to Rainy Pass.

Anyway, when you do get to Rainy Pass with your gear, get on the Pacific Crest Trail, and follow it north a short distance to Cutthroat Pass, elevation 6800 feet. From there, you can descend 2000 feet, and then climb 2000 feet, still following the Pacific Crest Trail north to Granite Pass. (If you want to keep on going from Granite Pass, you'll likely descend again, and then climb again, taking you to the next high point, Methow Pass).

Or... when you get to Cutthroat Pass, take the trail to Cutthroat Lake / Cutthroat Creek. In this area you'll climb through big trees and small trees, crossing meadows and a campsite down by the water. It's reported you can camp above the water in a more scenic spot, away from the bugs down below, but you'll have to pack your water up a distance.


Last Edited By: acts238 08/14/08 10:44:38. Edited 1 time.