Pacific Northwest Trail

The Pacific Northwest Trail traverses an extraordinary range of climates over its 1,200+ miles, from the high alpine terrain of Glacier National Park in Montana to the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. A thru-hiker on this trail will encounter nearly every type of weather challenge that exists in the continental United States.

In the Rocky Mountains and Columbia Mountains sections (eastern Montana and northern Idaho), summer temperatures are generally moderate but afternoon thunderstorms are common, and nighttime temperatures at elevation can be surprisingly cold even in July and August. The North Cascades section is among the most remote and demanding stretches of any National Scenic Trail, with high passes subject to snow well into summer and rapid weather changes.

The Puget Sound section offers a welcome respite at lower elevations and is the most accessible portion of the trail, hikeable year-round in mild conditions. The Olympic Peninsula is dominated by the wettest climate in the contiguous United States (the Hoh Rain Forest averages over 140 inches of rain per year) and hikers should plan for persistent moisture and cool temperatures even in summer.

While there are signifciant elevation changes overall throughout the Trail's length, there are not the same type of abrupt changes, such as isolated summits and deep canyons, for which there may be significant differences between the trail's location and the nearest weather station making forecasted unreliable. Since that is not a large problem we have not incorporated any extra factors for elevation (like those for the Arizona and Pacific Crest Trails), though as always local conditions and microclimates can vary.

The Pacific Northwest Trail runs approximately 1,218 miles from Chief Mountain Customs at the US-Canada border in Glacier National Park, Montana, to Cape Alava on the Olympic Peninsula; the westernmost point in the contiguous United States. The trail passes through three states (MT, ID, WA), three national parks, seven national forests, and six wilderness areas.

• Puget Sound Ferry: The official PNT route crosses the Puget Sound via the Washington State Ferries Keystone/Coupeville service from Coupeville on Whidbey Island to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. The ferry crossing (~30 minutes) is the only saltwater ferry crossing on any National Scenic Trail. It is shown on the map as a dashed line. The ferry miles are not included in the trail mile count; the trail simply resumes at Port Townsend. Hikers reach Whidbey Island via the Deception Pass Bridge (no additional ferry required).
• Trail Data: The trail geometry was sourced from the USFS Region 6 Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail feature service. However, please note that while this is the official route and looks very smooth on the map, this reamins a relatively new backcountry trail. There are many places that are much more rugged, may not have consistent blazing, and may require occasional bushwhacking to ensure you remain on course. So please use these maps on this site for general planning purposes while relying on maps from the Pacific Northwest Trail Association or FarOut for accurate day-to-day navigation.

• Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA): The primary stewardship organization for the PNT. Includes section guides, permit information, trail conditions, resupply resources, and detailed maps for trip planning.
• Glacier National Park (PNT Information): Permit requirements, trail conditions, and bear canister regulations for the Glacier NP portion of the trail (the eastern terminus and Rocky Mountains section).
• eBird Northwest: Citizen science project for collecting bird observations in Washington State and nearby areas. Using the app allows birdwatchers and interesed trail hikers to use their birdwatching time for good; find, identify, and submit information on bird sightings to scientists working to understand and protect bird populations. The PNT passes through many important bird habitats, and the eBird data can be a valuable resource for conservationists interested in the region's avian diversity.