Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

Trips

Pacific Crest Trail: WA Section 6

CHINOOK PASS to TACOMA PASS: Sticking to a craggy ridge over countless passes and peaks, this 37.4-mile leg features full-circle vistas over the central Cascades.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

None
None
None
None
None

Trail Facts

  • Distance: 60.1

Waypoints

PCT1521

Location: 46.8719902038574, -121.515769958496

Turn R @ WA 410/Chinook Pass/Mt. Rainier NP sign

PCT1522

Location: 46.8750610351562, -121.517883300781

Pass trailhead parking with restrooms

PCT1523

Location: 46.8939514160156, -121.502380371094

Pass Sheep Lake; no other campsites until Scout Pass

PCT1524

Location: 46.9011497497559, -121.500053405762

Head NE from Sourdough Gap

PCT1525

Location: 46.916633605957, -121.472396850586

Head N from Bear Gap; many trails intersect path

PCT1526

Location: 46.9216156005859, -121.460929870605

Continue straight, heading E

PCT1527

Location: 46.923168182373, -121.45378112793

Turn sharp L below Crown Point

PCT1528

Location: 46.9270324707031, -121.45686340332

Blue Bell Pass (no camping on this ridge). Look to the W for views overlooking Crystal Mountain Ski Area

PCT1529

Location: 46.9286651611328, -121.458534240723

Stay R @ Y

PCT1530

Location: 46.9501152038574, -121.453117370605

Walk through flat terrain; possible camps

PCT1531

Location: 46.9514503479004, -121.453247070312

Head NE from Scout Pass (horse hitch and campspots)

PCT1532

Location: 46.9556503295898, -121.449317932129

Stay L on ridge @ jct. where Beeline Trail heads SE into Basin Lake

PCT1533

Location: 46.9586181640625, -121.448051452637

Stay straight @ jct.

PCT1534

Location: 46.9616165161133, -121.453086853027

Pass Big Crow Basin spring; no good camping here

PCT1535

Location: 46.9622344970703, -121.452964782715

Stay straight

PCT1536

Location: 46.9629173278809, -121.452499389648

Pass a campsite

PCT1537

Location: 47.0126152038574, -121.405899047852

Bear R @ Y

PCT1538

Location: 47.0186500549316, -121.398170471191

Stay L @ jct.

PCT1539

Location: 47.0373840332031, -121.394035339355

Cross barely flowing creeklet

PCT1540

Location: 47.0496482849121, -121.383697509766

Travel N from Louisiana Saddle

PCT1541

Location: 47.0811500549316, -121.385803222656

Stay straight

PCT1542

Location: 47.081916809082, -121.388313293457

Continue heading NW toward Government Meadow

PCT1543

Location: 47.0888252258301, -121.396385192871

Relax @ Camp Urich to the W of Government Meadow. You’ll find a nice cabin with sleeping loft, agressive robber jays that will land on your finger and a good creek

PCT1544

Location: 47.0894012451172, -121.395782470703

Pass dirt road parking area

PCT1545

Location: 47.0999488830566, -121.397270202637

Trail tread resumes

PCT1546

Location: 47.1028175354004, -121.399353027344

Pass dirt road dead end

PCT1547

Location: 47.1064987182617, -121.403129577637

Follow trail around Pyramid Peak’s W slopes

PCT1548

Location: 47.1314010620117, -121.389183044434

Pass a spring and campsite

PCT1549

Location: 47.1321487426758, -121.387336730957

Cross dirt road

PCT1550

Location: 47.1383171081543, -121.367935180664

Dirt road crossing

PCT1551

Location: 47.1330680847168, -121.331100463867

Cross dirt road

PCT1552

Location: 47.1352500915527, -121.320182800293

Cross dirt road

PCT1553

Location: 47.1484336853027, -121.299598693848

Stay straight @ jct.; head NW

PCT1554

Location: 47.1793327331543, -121.312202453613

Trail curves to the NE

PCT1555

Location: 47.1988983154297, -121.310882568359

Cross dirt road

PCT1556

Location: 47.2051582336426, -121.310256958008

Cross Tacoma Pass. Refill water bottles: Fill up at a spring 2-4 min. W of this switchback;

More PCT: Next Section | Previous Section

Flora in detail

Location: 46.8772811889648, -121.519424438477

©Jack Haskel

Ridge view

Location: 46.9056663513184, -121.498695373535

©Jack Haskel

Rainier

Location: 46.9390029907227, -121.453643798828

©Jack Haskel

Mt. Rainier NP and Chinook Pass Sign

Location: 46.8719902038574, -121.514823913574

©Jack Haskel

Camp Urich

Location: 47.0880889892578, -121.395751953125

Camp Urich sits to the west of Government Meadow ©Jack Haskel

How to Pack for Backcountry Skiing

Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack.

Keywords: