6. Goat Rocks Wilderness

Courtesy of Michael J O’keefe

A favorite section among thru-hikers, the Goat Rocks Wilderness has it all: pristine lakes, flower-filled meadows, precipitous edges, and 360 degree views. The trail meanders through grassy fields, scrambles up rocky hillsides, and crosses streams of snowmelt before arriving at the west face of Old Snowy where hikers have the option of taking an alternate route to the top of the 7,880-foot peak or tip-toeing across a steep scree slope to reach the impressive ridge walk on the other side. Once finished with the traverse hikers can enjoy one of the PCT’s most photographed panoramas: an impressive view of the Devil’s Backbone where the trail balances along the ridgeline before disappearing into the wide open valley below, all with the beloved Mount Rainier looming in the distance.