Washington is a dynamic state to say the least. It's amazing how quickly the landscape can change; fires rage in the summer, closing trails and burning huge swaths of forest, bridges get washed away in massive floods, and avalanches knock trees over like matchsticks, taking out entire sections of trail with them. The second edition of Day and Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Washington, by local author Adrienne Schaefer provides hikers with updated trail and road conditions, places to visit in the great mountain towns surrounding them and information on some of the major environmental events that have happened over the past four years, which includes the largest wildfire season in Washington State history. The second edition also includes five new hikes, one of which travels along the glaciated flanks of Glacier Peak through a breathtaking section of the PCT that was closed from 2003-2011.
With new maps, photos, and updated trail information, this guide highlights sections of the PCT in the Columbia River Gorge, Gifford Pinchot National Forest with views of Mount Adams, Mount Rainier National Park, and Pasayten wildernesses. The guide includes ratings for scenery, trail condition, difficulty, solitude, and accessibility for children. In addition, it has driving directions, GPS waypoints, and permit and fee instructions.