This trip is part of the PCT Series. Mountaineers Members that ARE part of the PCT Series would normally have automatic “Leader Permission” to sign up for this starting May 14th based on their lottery trip choices. However, for this particular trip, you also do need actual leader permission --- if you 'win' this trip in the PCT series lottery, please contact the trip leader via phone or email as soon as possible to jointly assess whether this trip is right for you --- and vice versa. Individua... More

This trip is part of the PCT Series. Mountaineers Members that ARE part of the PCT Series would normally have automatic “Leader Permission” to sign up for this starting May 14th based on their lottery trip choices. However, for this particular trip, you also do need actual leader permission --- if you 'win' this trip in the PCT series lottery, please contact the trip leader via phone or email as soon as possible to jointly assess whether this trip is right for you --- and vice versa. Individuals not part of the PCT Series may sign up for two PCT Series hikes or one PCT Series backpack per year, and may sign up for this activity no sooner than 10 days prior to the activity date (i.e., Sept 25th), if space is available and at leader discretion. Any questions regarding this policy may be directed to the PCT Series Program Co-Administrators, Steve LeBrun or Chris Caviezel. In any event, please thoroughly review the Trip Description to see the logistics involved with the trip to determine if it's an appropriate adventure for you. Trip Strenuousness: Trip is appropriate for experienced, fit backpackers. 48.7 miles total (48.6 PCT miles). Prerequisites: Qualified participants will have backpacked on at least a 4 day trip, be in great shape. Plan on discussing your experience, fitness, gear, goals, and concerns with the leader and/or other trip participants prior to the trip. Skirt the glacier-draped Three Sisters on this trip full of excellent ridgetop campsites, aspen-lined lakes, and fields of black volcanic glass Car Shuttle: We can work out the car pooling as we get closer to the backpack. Seattle to Elk Lake, 358 miles, 6.5 hours. Elk Lake to McKenzie Pass, 79 miles, 1 hour 40 min. Direction: Southbound. Itinerary: 4 days, 3 nights For Day 1, we will do a long car shuttle. We will leave a car at Elk Lake. Then we will drive to the McKenzie Pass trailhead and start hike from there. • Day 1. Santiam Highway[2006mi,4810’] to Coldwater Springs[1999mi, 5200']. 7 Miles, 520 gain. • Day 2. Coldwater Springs[1999mi, 5200'] to South Matthieu Lake [1985mi, 6040']. 14 miles. 2200 gain. • Day 3. South Matthieu Lake [1985mi, 6040']. to Mesa Creek [1969mi, 5700']. 17 miles. 1000 gain. • Day 4. Mesa Creek [1969mi, 5700'] to Elk Lake [1958mi, 5250’]. 11 mile. 500 gain. Maps: Maps: Note that a hiker named Halfmile offers excellent PCT maps online for free, at http://www.pctmap.net The maps for this trip on his site are the WA Section H maps. Print out on a color printer, trim, carry in a gallon ziplock. Books: • Schaffer, Jeffrey P., and Selters, Andy. Pacific Crest Trail: From the California Border to the Canadian Border OREGON & WASHINGTON, 7th ed. 2nd printing, Wilderness Press, Section F, pp. 146-164

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