Group buys Wash. land to prevent break in Pacific Crest Trail

SEATTLE (AP) – A group dedicated to preserving and promoting the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail has purchased private land in western Washington state to prevent a break in the path.
 
The Seattle Times reports (http://bit.ly/2zPwqqv) that The Pacific Crest Trail Association on Wednesday bought more than 400 acres in the Stevens Pass area from a private landowner for $1.6 million.
 
The association says the landowner had considered putting up a fence and cutting off public access to the trail.
 
The association says it would have been difficult to build a route around the private land, likely closing the trail in that area for several years.
 
The 2,600-mile trail from Mexico to Canada generally follows the crests of several mountain ranges, including the Cascades in Washington state and Oregon.
 
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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com