NW Visitor Info
Northwest Trails & Trail Systems
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About the Northwest
Something you will find that is very north American are "Trails". In fact, "National Trails" are a type of unit in the U.S. National Park System, and National Trails Day is celebrated in June. These creations of past and present human endeavor offer up America's vast landscapes as places to be experienced step-by-step, again and again by succeeding generations.
The Trails honor past achievements, and modern sensibilities towards nature, and in doing so allow the individual to reclaim the challenge of exploring a new landscape. The Trails are icons in their own right, keeping alive a vital part of the American imagination.
The Northwest is criss-crossed with both historical and recreational Trails-with-a-capital-"T"! (In addition to the nationally recognized trails, as described here, are the myriad routes familiar to residents and local biking, boating and mountaineering clubs.)
U.S. Trail Information
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching America's communities and countryside by creating a nationwide network of public trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Their web site has information on rail-trails around the United States including Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Each state has a list of trail summaries that include local contact, trail endpoint, trail length, type of trail surface, and icons indicating the type of uses for which the particular rail-trail is best suited.
Applegate Trail (historic)
The southern route of the Oregon Trail through Nevada, northeastern California, and Oregon:
Continental Divide National
Scenic Trail (recreational)
Vividly described as "the backbone of the world", the Continental Divide literally divides the waters of the North American Continent. The Divide runs along the crest of the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to Mexico, and in our segment of the Pacific Northwest, it is found in Montana only. Waters running west of the Divide feed the Columbia River and drain into the Gulf of Mexico. Waters flowing east feed the Missouri-Mississippi Basin and drain into the Gulf of Mexico. From one point in Montana, Glacier Park's Triple Divide Peak, water also flows north to Hudson Bay, making Montana the only part of the Divide that replenishes three Oceans. The topography of the Divide varies greatly. Sometimes on ridges you can actually see the water dividing at your feet, as you might imagine. In other places the Divide is obscure as it meanders across broad plateaus.
The Trail was established by Congress in 1968 to ensure it remained accessible to hikers, horseback riders, and in some places, motorists. About 800 miles (1,300 km) of the trails entire 3,100-mile (5,000-km) length passes through Montana. Here it takes in Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, as well as 10 national forests with designated wilderness areas, and the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge for trumpeter swans. Historic attractions along the trail include several ghost towns, and two mountain passes crossed by Lewis and Clark in their famous exploration of 1804-6.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
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Nez Perce National Historic Trail
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The Oregon Trail
Created by Mike Trinklein and Steve Boettcher, teachers and makers of the award-winning documentary film The Oregon Trail, this site includes a thorough history of the Trail, descriptions and pictures of its historic sites, and obscure "Fantastic Facts" about events that happened along the way. There is also an online Study Guide can be printed and duplicated for classroom use.
The Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail originated and continues to exist today, with a vision to enable a continuous hiking experience along the western edge of north America. The 2,650 miles of the Trail connects high country from Canada to Mexico. The Trail now spans eight national parks and monuments, five state parks, twenty-four national forests, thirty-two wilderness areas, and three Bureau of Land Management districts.
Implementing the vision began in the late 1920s and culminated in 1968 with its designation by Congress as a National Scenic Trail. While the Trail is complete in that there is a trail with right-of-way access along its entire length, the work to enhance its integrity continues. Portions of the Trail require travel on unsafe, unaesthetic, busy roads. Twelve percent of the trail is on private land, and some easements provided by landowners are as narrow as five feet. Yet the Trail has its organized supporters, and the Pacific Crest Trail Association works with the federal government to resolve these issues.
Each year, about 100-150 hardy "through-hikers" attempt the trail's entire length. Others rise to the challenge of border-to-border hikes within a state. Thousands will use segments of the Trail, as they enjoy the great outdoors.
Profiles of PCT Segments
Each segment is illustrated with an easy-to-read graph.
Pacific Crest Trail - Northern Washington Section
A guide covering the Pacific Crest Trail as it traverses the North Cascade Mountains in the state of Washington. This section of the Pacific Crest Trail runs 70 miles between Interstate 91 at Snoqualmie Pass and Route 2 at Stevens Pass. Generally it would take an average of five to seven days to hike this entire section. The hiker will pass a half dozen classic high alpine lakes each day along the trail, each one a prime destination in itself.
Pacific Crest Trail
The mission of the Association is to promote and protect the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail so as to reflect its world-class significance for the enjoyment, education and adventure of hikers and equestrians.
The Pacific Northwest Trail (recreational)
The PNT extends from Brown Pass at the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, Montana to Cape Alava at Olympic National park, Washington. The PNT is an east-west route that uses existing trails and roads. It crosses seven national forests, three national parks, and some private and state land.
Pacific Northwest Trail
The mission of the Pacific Northwest Trail Association is to promote, protect, construct and maintain the Pacific Northwest Trail as a public service project that makes a lasting contribution to America's environment and to the next generations.
The Trail of the Great Bear
An international scenic corridor that links the USA's Yellowstone National Park to Canada's Banff National Park. It takes in many ruggedly beautiful landscapes including Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, and the Flathead Valley.
Best selection of books on the Northwest.
Fodor's Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West, 4th Edition by Fodor's. This guide provides information on 36 national parks in the northwest including an overview of each park, illustrated features, trip planning tools, outdoor recreational activities, recommendations and advice. Order now...
Fodor's Pacific Northwest: with Oregon, Washington and Vancouver, 20th Edition. Written by local experts, this guide has the latest information with expansive insights, illustrations, recommendations, advice and trip planning tools, such as easy to read maps, to plan your exciting adventure in the Pacific Northwest. Order now...
Lonely Planet Pacific Northwest's Best Trips (Travel Guide) by Lonely Planet. This comprehensive guide offers itineraries, theme icons, easy-to-use maps along with driving times, reviews and insider tips for 32 amazing road trips in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Order now...
American Museum of Natural History Birds of North America Western Region by DK Publishing. This guide is ideal for every age of bird lovers and features information on behavior, nesting and habitat for the wide range of birds commonly seen west across the Great Plains and West Coast. Order now...
Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest: Tracking and Identifying Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates by David Moskowitz. This book includes illustrated descriptions for more than 180 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, northern California, Idaho, and western Montana plus maps. Order now...
Fodor's The Lewis and Clark Trail, 1st Edition (Travel Historic America) by Fodor's. This guide has in depth coverage on how to retrace the steps of Lewis and Clark. Travel back in time with historical sites and attractions. Find where to stay and eat in historic places. Order now...
Following the Nez Perce Trail, 2nd Editon: A Guide to the Nee-Me-Poo National Historic Trail with Eyewitness Accounts by Cheryl Wilfong. Trace the route taken by the Nez Perce. This guide has 13 segments each containing historical chronology and travel plan. Each route includes maps, GPS coordinates, and recommendations for side trips. Order now...
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