PCT — Washington Section I
6 days · 95.7 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the PCT — Washington Section I is known for
Washington Section I of the Pacific Crest Trail, point-to-point from White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass — about 99 miles through the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak wilderness areas past Chinook Pass, skirting the east side of Mount Rainier National Park. Most backpackers take 5-7 days; the mapped line here reads short of the published mileage.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 9,839 ft to 20,676 ft over 95.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 55.4 mi · 58%
- Downhill 28.4 mi · 30%
- Flat 11.9 mi · 12%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the PCT — Washington Section I?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the PCT — Washington Section I scores 50/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much elevation gain is on the PCT — Washington Section I?
The PCT — Washington Section I climbs roughly 19,475 ft total — about 204 ft per mile, topping out near 6,434 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.