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Pacific Northwest Trail
Contents |
Overview
The 1200 mile Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT), running from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean, is a long distance hiking trail. It includes the Rocky Mountains, Selkirk Mountains, Pasayten Wilderness, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, and Wilderness Coast. The trail crosses three National Parks and seven National Forests.
History
The trails route was first conceived and explored by Ron Strickland in 1970. In 1977, Strickland founded the Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA), the organization that oversees education, maintenance, and fund-raising for the PNT.
The PNT has struggled to gain recognition (and funding) as a National Scenic Trail for years. If this status is ever reached, the PNT will join the ranks of other famous long distance trails like the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. On January 15th, 2009 the Senate voted 73-21 in favor of an omnibus bill which included the addition of the PNT to the National Scenic Trails system.
Sources
External links
- Pacific Northwest Trail Association
- Amazon.com : Pacific Northwest Trail Guide: The Official Guidebook for Long Distance and Day Hikers
- A Thru Hikers Trail Journal
- The Pacific Northwest Trail description on Summit Post
Categories: Trails | USA | Montana | Idaho | Washington
