<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/53083115120/in/album-72177720310017603" title="Kendall Katwalk (left in distance), Joe Lake, Mt Thomson, Huckleberry Mountain"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53083115120_b609025c7f_b.jpg" alt="Kendall Katwalk (left in distance), Joe Lake, Mt Thomson, Huckleberry Mountain"/></a> Kendall Katwalk (left in distance), Joe Lake, Mt Thomson, Huckleberry Mountain - [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/albums/72177720310017603/) - Distance: 36 miles - Elevation gain: 9500ft - Elapsed time: 17h30m (4am start) # Report The distance and elevation gain on this trip seems fairly high, but because the PCT is so smooth, the progress is much better than on tougher trails. The traverse along the Gold Creek (after the [[Kendall Katwalk]]) is one of the most beautiful sections of the PCT in Washington State. Water management can be a bit tricky. The easiest source of water is Ridge Lake. Until east of Huckleberry there may be no other water sources later in summer. It can be a bit frustrating looking down on Alaska Lake and Joe Lake. This section of the PCT is typically not doable until later in summer. There are steep gullies that hold snow fairly long. An ice axe (and expertise and nerves) are necessary when there is still snow. I use the CalTopo Sentinel weekly layer and trip reports to see how the snow is. The slopes where the PCT traverses the Gold Creek valley are fairly steep and the tread is not great. # Route <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/54255522544/in/dateposted/" title="PCT to Chikamin Area"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54255522544_83bdd2576e_b.jpg" alt="PCT to Chikamin Area"/></a> # Highlights <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/53083211883/in/album-72177720310017603" title="Kendall Katwalk"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53083211883_f7c2856fb9_b.jpg" alt="Kendall Katwalk"/></a> Kendall Katwalk <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/53082714081/in/album-72177720310017603" title="Overcoat Peak and Iceberg Lake from the PCT"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53082714081_2aefa6b01c_b.jpg" alt="Overcoat Peak and Iceberg Lake from the PCT"/></a> Overcoat Peak and Iceberg Lake from the PCT <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/53069054877/in/album-72177720310017603" title="Spectacle Lake"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53069054877_58c1b19c99_b.jpg" alt="Spectacle Lake"/></a> Spectacle Lake <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/53083115280/in/album-72177720310017603" title="Gold Creek Valley"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53083115280_2c6e1d88ea_b.jpg" alt="Gold Creek Valley"/></a> Gold Creek Valley <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/53083118680/in/album-72177720310017603" title="Joe Lake and Alta Mountain"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53083118680_db39de1ba3_b.jpg" alt="Joe Lake and Alta Mountain"/></a> Joe Lake and Alta Mountain