J. “Eb” Eberhart, who also goes by ‘The Nimblewill Nomad,’ is in the process of completing the latest part of his quest to hike all 11 national scenic trails in the United States. The 72-year-old retired optometrist’s latest solo jaunt (the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail) is the 9th trail he’s completed — or about to complete (his online journal still needed some updating at last glance).
The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail is about 1,200 miles across Montana and Washington — from the Continental Divide to Cape Alava near Lake Ozette. The trail includes routes across DNR-managed state trust lands in the Loomis State Forest (Okanogan County) and Blanchard State Forest lands near Bellingham. So, you see, even a ‘national trail’ requires some state lands along the way.
Eberhart’s online journal, www.nimblewillnomad.com, has lots of good things to say about his experiences in the Loomis and about DNR’s staff…
“The climb is long and steady, and we have little problem finding excuses to stop and rest often. One such break comes when a fellow stops to greet us. It’s Chris (Marcolin), a young chap with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. His title—Land Manager, Northeast Region. He’s heart is obviously in the trail as he’s generously applied the resources at his disposal to the trail through the state lands leading into the Pasayten Wilderness. Chris is both surprised and excited to find that we’re thru-hiking the PNT. He has maps.
As mentioned, Chris has worked the trail through the state lands leading into the wilderness. Three bridges, much tread improvement, just great work.”
Chris commented after meeting Eberhart, “I just hope to be that fit at 72. He was averaging 2-miles-per-hour and 13 hours a day. Wow!!”
To learn more about the trail, check out the website of the Pacific Northwest Trail Association or see Eberhart’s journal, which has photos and commentary about his other long distance hikes.
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