PCT — Washington Section K landscape

Photo: Photo by Yuheng Ouyang on Unsplash

PCT — Washington Section K

8 days · 126.4 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance126.4 mi
Days out8
Elevation gain30,646 ft
Gain / mile242 ft
High point6,594 ft
Difficulty index68/100

What the PCT — Washington Section K is known for

PCT Section K crosses the Glacier Peak Wilderness between Stevens Pass and Rainy Pass, roughly 120 miles point-to-point and often called the most difficult stretch of the PCT in Washington. Remote, rugged, and big on climbing; typically 7-9 days.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the PCT — Washington Section K on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 5,361 ft to 21,119 ft over 126.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 51.5 mi · 41%
  • Downhill 71.1 mi · 57%
  • Flat 3.1 mi · 2%

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 K?

68 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the PCT — Washington Section K scores 68/100, 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 K?

The PCT — Washington Section K climbs roughly 30,646 ft total — about 242 ft per mile, topping out near 6,594 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.

Plan the PCT — Washington Section K Plan Free →