Once you get past Cutthroat Pass the trail levels out but is like walking on a ledge on the side of a building. The trail is narrow and tripping is not an option. Apparently nobody trips because if you go over the edge there is nothing to stop you from basically falling down a mountain. When the trail is hard dirt or rock there is really no worry. However when the trail becomes loose and pebbles, is narrow, and is slanted to side toward sure death it is a different matter. I’ve always thought the books I read about the PCT overplayed the dangers of the trail because until now I have never felt threatened on the trail. However these narrow loose pebbled ledges did give me some concern. I have no idea how this could be traversed in snow or even in rain. Obviously it is done by thousands of hikers each year.

All the people I’m seeing are local hikers and all of them wear a mask to pass me. Just so strange. I’m not wearing a mask. I have one just in case there is some issue but I don’t wear it when just passing someone on the trail.

After going level for awhile on ledge you start going straight down via a series of switchbacks to Granite Pass at about 6200 feet. Then you go level again on a ledge until the ascent starts to Methow Pass. I stop for the day just before that ascend at a beautiful spot with a creek right beside my tent. Below are some views from my camping site. Spectacular! It was windy here and was the first time I actually had to stake down the tent. I stopped around 4:30 and was glad I did as 30 minutes later and the place was filled with local hikers. Some even had to keep going to the next camping site. Because the trail is basically on a ledge most of the time, there are limited places where you can camp.