Pacific Crest Trail

July 2014 – The Pacific Crest Trail extends from Mexico, through California, Oregon, and Washington, to the Canadian border. The photos here document a short portion found in North Cascades National Park, which extends from the area just north of Lake Chelan to Canada. This 21 mile portion was backpacked from the Rainy Pass area on Highway 20 to High Bridge, where the famous red and black NCNP shuttle bus was taken the final couple miles on an old dirt wagon road to the picturesque Stehekin Valley Ranch for dinner. Images begin with the luxurious Methow B&B the night prior to the backcountry journey. The four wild backpackers on this primitive walk in the woods were Entiat, Washington residents Chris Mallon, Claudia Mullek, and Judy Schmidt, along with coastal Oregonian Steve Greene. Many thanks go out to the ladies for inviting me on this most excellent northwest PCT adventure!

A short movie of this trek appears after these photo!

PCT 2014: The Movie:

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When I was a young boy, I had a 45 RPM record, with a song about Smokey the Bear. This is the original record jacket, along with the words I used to listen to while growing up. Smokey was my hero, and I always followed his advice. I still have a Smokey the Bear baseball cap, with his image stitched on it, along with the words “Only You” underneath. Here is his song: