Hiking Snoqualmie to Stevens Pass (PCT Section J)

[@mikemecklenborg5412]

Thanks Tim for letting us coming along. Nice video!!

[@TimScharks]

You bet Mike, glad you enjoyed it!

[@nare8864]

Im going to have to hike that someday!

[@TimScharks]

Yes definitely! Let me know if you want any tips :-)

[@nare8864]

@@TimScharks In total how many miles was the section J part from snoqualmie to Steven’s pass?

[@nare8864]

@@TimScharks also where else would you recommend hiking (thinking more of a one night camp trail so probably less than Section J of the PCT

[@TimScharks]

@@nare8864 it's just over 70 miles

[@TimScharks]

@@nare8864 there are a ton of options just off I-90. Talapus and Olallie Lakes are a great choice for an easy/moderate hike with camp sites at each lake.

[@nare8864]

Such a Great Trail!

[@lornfant]

My first hike in the Cascades was to Alpine Lakes. Totally fell in love. Steheckin is another area I've tramped around a bit. Always tempted to make the right turn to follow the PCT up over the pass. Love the vids! Keep'em coming!

[@TimScharks]

I've never been to Stehekin but would like to do the PCT through there sometime too--maybe next summer!

[@ViewfinderMastery]

Great video Tim! love the timelapse of your camp and candid narration. Keep it up!

[@TimScharks]

Thanks Matt! I don't think I knew you have a KZbin, subscribing now!

[@aniamadamag]

Yes! Thank you for taking us along.

[@TimScharks]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ExpeditionMusic]

Thanks for this video! Enjoyed it

[@orionknopik]

Lmao I was in your geography class. Was just searching KZbin for videos of this hike, so random you’ve done a video on it haha

[@TimScharks]

Hey Orion, that's awesome you found this video! Are you planning to go this summer? Lmk if you have any questions... cheers, Tim

[@heartattackhiker3527]

Well done sir

[@benjaminhipple155]

Nice job Tim. I'm impressed that you are able to get a real light setup. All the backpacking i have done has involved a heavy pack with a sleeping bag and a tent.

[@TimScharks]

Hi Ben, it's not that hard to get a lot lighter--my sleeping bag weighs just a shade over a pound (www.bigagnes.com/Pluton-UL). Bivy sacs are pretty uncomfortable but there are tents that pitch with trekking poles that weigh in well under 3 lbs. Once you get rid of all but the most essential gear, of course, you can also save a ton of weight on your backpack: my old internal frame weighs more than 5 lbs empty but on this trip my pack was a little over 2 lbs empty.

[@ExpeditionMusic]

Was water ever an issue on the trail? Or are there plenty of lakes/streams?

[@TimScharks]

Not at all, water was available every few miles with few exceptions. I did have one stretch of five to seven miles where I was wishing I had drank more at the last spot. In a really dry year or late summer it might be a little more scarce. I'd say most hikers would be fine with two quarts capacity, three if you're really worried about hydration. (I had 1.5 quarts total capacity).

[@sangcheolkwon130]

Wow! Want to be there!!

[@TimScharks]

Let's go! :-)

[@heartattackhiker3527]

Wahtum lake is where I got out on my first attempt of that section ended up coming back and doing the rest from there a year later.

[@willslate3403]

If you ever see this. Great video. Thank you for taking the time to make it. I want to do this trip with my buddy end of July or first week of August. How many miles was day two? Did you need a permit to camp? Best piece of Advice?

[@TimScharks]

Hi Will, thanks, I am glad you liked it! End of July is normally a good time to go but this year there may be a lot of snow still up high on parts of the trail, just keep an eye on trail reports. My day 2 was 35 miles, on the long side of things, I could have stopped shorter and had a longer day 3. No permits required. Best advice is to download the FarOut app and pay for the PCT Washington section, it's super useful for looking ahead to possible camp sites! Hope you have a great one.

[@willslate3403]

@@TimScharks Thank you for responding, the advice and taking time to answer my questions. I appreciate it! Good luck on future adventures as well!

[@smilinkyle]

I loved this vlog! I hope there's more! So, no tent? What are your provisions? And the really dumb question: what shoes are you wearing? I sure wish I was 30 years younger.

[@TimScharks]

Hi Kyle, thank you! No, no tent--the "bivy sac" I slept in is very lightweight though uncomfortable, my goal was to keep my pack as light as possible. For food I brought a bag of trail mix, a couple granola bars and a Snickers bar, Top Ramen for dinner, and a bag of cooked bacon for each day weighing a pound per day. The shoes are Nike trail running shoes, the Pegasus Trail-they are a fairly loud colors I bought on sale :-). You can't see the details of the shoes because I have lightweight trail running gaiters from Outdoor Research over them, they keep the pine needles and stones out so you don't have to stop to pick them out of your shoes!

[@heartattackhiker3527]

Believe I camped in the same spot

[@TimScharks]

Nice!

[@drewyager4020]

Too bad the catwalk was so cloudy