Kendall Katwalk is the dramatic highlight of this section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.
Gauged by its cliff’s-edge finale, this rewarding trail begins rather unassumingly at the southern end of the Pacific Crest Trail’s Section J in pleasant coniferous forest, but climbs to increasingly expansive views as it traverses Kendall Peak’s western flank and, at its dramatic highlight, crosses the narrow ledge hewn into the face of a sheer rock ridge known as Kendall Katwalk. As incredible as the bird’s-eye views are, the trail also offers a wealth of bug’s-eye views as it progresses through habitats ranging from dim, moist forest to rocky barrens that are home to an array of wildflowers, fungi, lichens, and small mountain creatures. The Katwalk is a popular destination for day hikers, although the increasingly sweeping mountain views and swathes of summer wildflowers draw many further to the side-by-side pair of lakes, Gravel Lake and Ridge Lake, approximately 1.25 miles/2.00 km beyond the Katwalk. Although lengthy (one could follow the Pacific Crest Trail northward into Canada or southward all the way to the Mexican border), the gentle grade of this section enables the hiker to attain greater distance and elevation without tiring as quickly as on steeper trails. Enjoy it as a pleasant amble to incredible sights for far as you wish to hike.
Shadowy woodland encloses the lower trail. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Throughout the lower elevations, streams tumble from above and dash across the trail on their way to Commonwealth Creek below. Varying in size depending on their source and the season, some merely dampen the trail while others require skips across sometimes slick stones. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.A variety of fanciful fungi abounds along the trail, especially in the moist lower-elevation woodlands, including, top row, left to right, assorted wood conks, eyelash cups (Scutellinia scutellata), and various coral fungi; center row, left to right, yellow-legged bonnets (Mycena epipterygia), coral tooth fungi (Hericium coralloides), and violet webcaps (Cortinarius violaceus); and bottom row, left to right, dapper Russula species, cinnamon fairy stools (Coltricia perennis), and conifer chickens-of-the-woods (Laetiporus conifericola). Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Approximately 2.00 miles/3.20 km from the trailhead, the landscape suddenly changes as the trail traverses a lengthy field of haphazardly tossed boulders. The aptly named Red Mountain anchors the northern view from this section of the trail. The Pacific Crest Trail skirts Kendall Peak to the right and reaches Kendall Katwalk just beyond the far right horizon. At approximately 2.50 miles/4.00 km from the trailhead, the Commonwealth Basin Trail branches left, descends into the hollow below Red Mountain, and continues to additional stunning views from Red Pass, the narrow saddle of rock between Red Mountain and its neighbor, Lundin Peak (left). Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.To the west, Guye Peak’s unique spire dominates the view from the trail’s mid-section boulderfield. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.At approximately 3.50 miles/5.60 kilometers from the trailhead, the trail enters a sudden gash in the forest, marked by tossed and broken trees amid mounds of finer debris. This is Kendall Peak’s avalanche chute, which is safe to traverse in summer months when no snow is present. Upward from the trail, Kendall Peak’s avalanche chute zigzags toward its source beneath the summit’s eaves. In little more than 1.00 mile/1.60 km from the avalanche chute, the trail traverses the vast alpine meadow visible above, where panoramic views begin. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Beyond the avalanche chute, the trail reenters forest and climbs to Kendall Ridge, which, because of the trail’s welcome level grade, is also known as Kendall Flats. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Beyond Kendall Flats, the trail breaks out of forest and crosses the open, talus slope that stretches from Kendall Peak’s cliff-topped summit to its avalanche chute below, affording a sweeping western view. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Nourishing a host of summer wildflowers, Kendall Peak’s sunny upper reaches are known as Kendall Gardens. Here, fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) fringes the western view. Far below, Interstate 90 snakes through the mountain folds. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Kendall Gardens and the surrounding trailsides host a variety of other brightly hued summer wildflowers, including, top row, left to right, western bunchberries (Cornus unalaschkensis), plumed false Solomon’s seals (Maianthemum racemosum), orange hawkweeds (Hieracium aurantiacum), Columbian monkshoods (Aconitum columbianum), sickletop louseworts (Pedicularis racemosa), bird’s-beak louseworts (Pedicularis ornithorhyncha), subalpine spiraeas (Spiraea splendens), green corn lilies Veratrum viride), western, or, Sitka columbines (Aquilegia formosa), and common harebells (Campanula rotundifolia); center row, goat’s beards (Aruncus dioicus), common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), common cow-parsnips (Heracleum maximum syn. Heracleum lanatum), Engelmann’s asters (Eucephalus engelmannii), fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium syn. Chamerion angustifolium), woodland penstemons, or, woodland beardtongues (Nothochelone nemorosa), western pearly everlastings (Anaphalis margaritacea); and bottom row, scarlet paintbrushes (Castilleja miniata), Lewis’s monkeyflowers (Erythranthe lewisii), queen’s cups (Clintonia uniflora), pink mountain-heaths (Phyllodoce empetriformis), Sitka valerians (Valeriana sitchensis), and broadleaf lupines (Lupinus latifolius). Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.At last, Kendall Katwalk. During construction of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Katwalk was blasted from the side of the razor-edge granite saddle that connects Kendall Peak to its neighboring peaks. The narrowest and highest portion of Kendall Katwalk extends approximately 450 feet/137 meters. The natural rock wall along its western side may provide some comfort to the more acrophobic hiker. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Over Kendall Katwalk’s brink, the nearly vertical view plunges headlong, dwarfing the forest far below. Exercise great caution while crossing, as falls will be lethal. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Kendall Katwalk’s breathtaking eastward prospect soars down Silver Creek Valley, across Gold Creek Valley, and on to Alta Mountain and beyond. The crinkled peaks to the right form Kendall Peak’s northeastern spine. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Although Kendall Katwalk is a perfect day hike destination, the increasingly expansive mountain views and masses of wildflowers just beyond lure many hikers farther, particularly given the trail’s relative lack of incline for some distance thereafter. As the trail turns westward, the tri-cornered Mount Thompson comes into view. Gravel Lake and Ridge Lake lie in hollows along its broad flanks, along with a surprise view of Alaska Lake far below. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.Around a corner in the trail, Ridge and Gravel lakes suddenly appear. Ridge Lake is to the right, ringed by trees and vegetation. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.The aptly named Gravel Lake lies left of the trail and Ridge Lake, its crystal waters revealing its almost entirely rocky bottom. Gravel Lake also has no above-ground outlet, but seeps through the stones at its far end and forms a small stream farther down Mount Thompson’s western flank. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.At Gravel Lake, the trail has reached the opposite side of Red Mountain and Lundin Peak from where it began, with a view up the far side of Red Pass. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.To continue the alpine views, follow the trail a mere 700 feet/213 meters around Ridge Lake for a bird’s-eye view of Alaska Lake and Alta Mountain (right), with Three Queens (left) and Hibox Mountain (center) peering over the horizon. Pacific Crest Trail, Section J, Washington.
