Image: Mount Baker makes many dramatic appearances on the horizon from the PNT in Western Washington. For nearly 200 miles, the "white sentinel," or "great white watcher" helps to orient PNT visitors in the North Cascades and Puget Sound regions. The iconic mountain is also know as Koma Kulshan, Qwú’mə Kwəlshéːn to the Lummi Tribe, and Kw’eq Smaenit or Kwelshán to the Nooksack Tribe. |
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In This Issue
- 2021 Season Outlook
- Meet our Newest Board Member
- 2021 Mapset Updates
- Backcountry Permits in 2021
- Meet our Volunteer Program Intern
- We are Hiring!
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The east side of Glacier National Park reopened on March 18th and access to the PNT between Brown Pass and the eastern terminus has been restored! The US/Canada international border at Goat Haunt, USA (near PNT mile 25) will be closed in 2021. Park visitors can still hike through the Goat Haunt developed area.
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2021 Season Outlook
With a route that traverses some of the snowiest mountain ranges in the lower ‘48, seasonality is one of the defining characteristics of the Pacific Northwest Trail. Full access to the trail corridor is only possible between July and September, which makes for a short and exciting season for hikers and trail builders alike.
When milder weather finally arrives, a flurry of activity comes with it. Visitors flock to the PNT in places like Glacier National Park while scores of trail crews “hitch out” to begin another busy season working to restore the PNT in the Pasayten Wilderness and dozens of other cherished destinations along the trail corridor.
Traditionally, when the PNT is still buried under feet of snow, winter months provide the perfect time to plan and prepare to make the most of the season to come. Yet with the prime season still months away, uncertainty over the Covid-19 pandemic has made planning for the 2021 season tougher on all of us.
Visit our website to learn more about the season ahead.
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Image: PNTA Treasurer Stephen Simburg on the Wilderness Coast section of the PNT. |
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Meet our Newest Board Member
The PNTA welcomed Stephen Simburg to our board in May 2020. For every non-profit, a dedicated and enthusiastic board is key to its success. The PNTA Board of Directors includes passionate volunteers, like Stephen who currently serves as Treasurer.
Based on observations gained on his travels in the U.S. and abroad, Stephen believes that an investment in America’s public lands will have lasting economic and social benefits for our citizens.
Stephen comments, “I believe the best way to gain support for investing in our public lands is to enable the community to experience them; and that’s why I’m so enthusiastic about serving on PNTA’s board. PNTA ensures that everyone will have access to an exceptional outdoor experience on this magnificent National Scenic Trail. I’m thrilled to be a part of this important legacy. It’s a lot of fun, too.”
As a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Stephen can be found most weekends hiking, camping and paddling through the wonderful natural areas of the Pacific Northwest.
About the Board
The PNTA Board of Directors ensures that the organization operates according to good governance principles, sound financial management policies, and with the financial resources to fulfill its mission: to protect and promote the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNNST), and to enhance recreation and educational opportunities for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
The Association currently seeks talented individuals who would like to make a lasting contribution to the Pacific Northwest Trail at a critical time in its development by serving on our board.
Volunteers that are passionate about contributing to a strong organizational culture that is increasingly inclusive and reflects the diverse ideas and backgrounds of our trail community are strongly encouraged to apply.
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For the last 40 years, nearly all PNT thru-hikers have chosen to walk west. The trail’s founder, Ron Strickland, once described the experience of a westbound hike as, “traveling like a raindrop that has fallen on the Continental Divide, one flows west toward the Pacific Ocean.” Learn more about hiking eastbound against the grain on the PNT at our blog. |
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2021 Mapset Update
With the prime hiking season just a few months away, our staff are hard at work updating our mapset for the 2021 season. PNTA strip maps are revised annually to show the most up-to-date information about the Pacific Northwest Trail available.
The new and improved version of our mapset will be released in early May for digital download, but there is no reason to wait to place an order for a printed set.
The PNTA mapset includes two sets of maps as well as a Resupply Planner (page 145) that shows distances and mileage between resupply points.
The 16-page set of Overview Maps represent the Pacific Northwest Trail at a larger scale to aid in trip planning and choosing between the primary route and many official alternate routes along the trail corridor.
The 144-page set of Strip Maps are designed for navigating the PNT in the field. They have been cropped to minimize the overlap between pages to save carried weight while they are being used on the PNT.
Historically, the PNT has been described in ten sections of trail, and both sets of maps have been laid out to honor this tradition. Proceeding from the Eastern Terminus in Montana, these resources are organized for trail users that are headed westbound along the PNT.
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If you plan to stay overnight on the PNT in Glacier, North Cascades or Olympic National Park, you will need to have a valid backcountry permit before you reach the trailhead. Welcome to Olympic National Park by Ken Lund is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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Changes to Backcountry Permits in 2021
Are you planning to visit the Pacific Northwest Trail in Glacier, North Cascades or Olympic National Park this year?
Although the prime hiking season for the PNT is still a few months away it’s not too early to start planning your trip. North Cascades and Glacier National Park began accepting advance permit applications on March 15th and 17th.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Olympic National Park will not reserve any permits for walk-up registration as they have in the past. Wilderness permit applications for all available backcountry sites may be reserved online up to 6 months in advance this year.
You can learn about the permits required on the PNT and how the Covid-19 pandemic may affect your visit at our blog.
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Image: Volunteer Program Intern Sidney Scarlett replaces a trail sign on the Colville National Forest during the 2020 season. |
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Meet our Volunteer Program Intern
The PNTA is excited to announce that Sidney Scarlett has recently joined our office staff as our Volunteer Program Aid!
This temporary position is supported by the Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) in their efforts to provide opportunities for young adults to further their careers by engaging them in the protection and management of National Scenic and Historic Trails.
You may recognize Sidney’s name as she demonstrated outstanding leadership skills while leading PNTA trail crews on the Colville National Forest last season. Transferring from Macalester College to the University of Montana this fall, Sidney is working towards a bachelor's degree in environmental studies with a minor in environmental science/ ecology. We’re very fortunate to see Sidney return to the PNTA in between semesters.
In her fifth season as a trail steward, Sidney will bring considerable trail building experience to our team. She loves to share her passion for trails forged while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and while serving on trail crews with Northwest Youth Corp and the PNTA.
As our Volunteer Program Aid, Sidney will assist our Regional Coordinators Kristin Ackerman and Sterling Collins-Hill in the management of our volunteer program. She will also help lead PNTA volunteer work parties on the Pacific Northwest Trail.
This summer, Sidney hopes to empower PNTA volunteers to help maintain the Pacific Northwest Trail system, motivating and training them to have fun and work safely, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“My experience on trail crews has given me a deep insight into how this work can boost your self-confidence, establish leadership skills, and one’s desire to love and protect wild places and I look forward to sharing those experiences with passionate volunteers,” said Sidney.
When not tending trails, Sidney spends her time knitting, backpacking, cuddling with her dogs, and road tripping her way through the states — she’s made it to 49 of them so far!
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We're hiring crew leaders and crew members for our Performance Trail Crews!
The PNTA performs over 80% of our annual trail work with youth and young adults from trailside communities.
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We're recruiting volunteers! In 2020, our volunteer program was impacted by local restrictions and operated in a limited capacity. This year, you can help by joining a trail work party. Just one day of service can make a big difference in the future of the PNT!
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In our first volunteer event of 2021, a group of PNTA crew leaders and local volunteers cleared 16 big trees from a popular stretch of the Baker Lake Trail after a severe January storm left it in rough shape. Way to go Sean, Nate, and Peder!
Special thanks to volunteers Jason and Justin Temple for working through some cold snowy conditions to get the job done!
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At long last, all of our hat styles and colors are back in stock — along with some great new items! Visit our web store to order yours while supplies last.
Every sale benefits the hard-working trail crews that maintain the PNT!
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Follow us on social media for trail updates, pictures and fun!
Use the hashtag #crowntocoast and we'll share your PNT pictures.
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Support the PNTA While You Shop! |
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You can support the Pacific Northwest Trail Association just by shopping at REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com. All you have to do is click on the REI logo in this email and shop!
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Fred Meyer Community Rewards is "where shopping and giving unite." You can support the Pacific Northwest Trail Association just by shopping at Fred Meyer with your Rewards Card. All you have to do is link your Rewards Card and scan it every time you shop at Fred Meyer.
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AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Pacific Northwest Trail Association every time you shop, at no cost to you.
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