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Pacific Crest Trail - White Pass to Chinook

The shortest section of trail between major highways in Washington is the section between White Pass and Chinook Pass. The distance is only around 30 miles so it can easily be done in a weekend. Although short, it gives a nice slice of what the trail can offer. Half the route meanders through high forested lakes while the other half is on high ridges with sweeping views. Starting from Chinook Pass will require less elevation gain but for some reason we did it the other way. But, starting from White, the scenery unfolds and becomes more spectacular each day.
Distance: 28 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
Access: Paved
WA Hikes & Climbs
Access:
The White Pass trail head is about a half mile east of the White Pass Ski area on Highway 12. The trail head is between Leach Lake and the Horse camp. The trailhead at Chinook Pass off Highway 410 is just on the east side of the pass on the north side of the road. Well marked with restrooms. Additional parking at Tipsoo Lake on the west side of the pass.
white to chinook pass map
Below: the south section of this hike, one of the easiest parts in all of Washington
pct map white to chinook
White Pass PCT meadow on PCT Deer Lake Sand Lake campsite Fish Lake
Above: Fish Lake - the start of the uphill section
One of many, many meadows
Starting at White Pass - my brother and I were just kids dropped off & picked up by our dad
Deer Lake
Sand Lake
Camp
American River Valley white to chinook views Bumping River pacific crest trail Mount Rainier hiking from white to chinook Crag Mountain Crag Lake Spiral Butte, Dewey Lake On PCT chinook pass
View back at White Pass area of Spiral Butte, Dog Lake and Rimrock Lake
Purifying water on the Bumping River
Crag Mountain
Crag Lake
Looking east
American River Valley
Camping at Dewey Lake
Highway in the distance
Mount Rainier
At Chinook Pass
WillhiteWeb.com - Hiking, Climbing and Travel
At Chinook Pass
On the trail