Backpacking Washington
Martin Lake–Heart of the Golden Lakes
Quick Facts: Location: Methow Valley, WA Distance: 13.4 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 2300 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Methow Valley Ranger District Maps: Green Trails Methow Valley 51SX Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades (Mountaineers Books) Notes: trail open to motorcycles Trailhead directions: From Twisp drive south on SR 153 and turn right onto…
Read MoreMowich Lake
Snowshoe to a “deer” location in Mount Rainier National Park Quick Facts: Location: Mount Rainier National Park Distance: 10.2 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 1,350 feet Contact: Mount Rainier National Park Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier National Park 269SX Notes: Dogs are prohibited; Route is non-groomed and shared with skiers; National Park pass or Interagency Pass…
Read MoreWhite Chuck Cinder Cone — Coolest volcanic cone north of Lassen
Quick Facts: Location: Glacier Peak Wilderness,Mountain Loop Highway near Darrington Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 23.0 miles Elevation gain: 5,200 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (360) 436-1155 Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Darrington, head south 16…
Read MoreFlapjack Lakes — Served with a healthy dose of scenery
Quick Facts: Location: Staircase, Olympic National Park Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 15.4 miles Elevation gain: 3,050 feet Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (360) 565-3100 Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East 168S Notes: Dogs prohibited; National Park entry fee; Backcountry camping permit required for overnight trips; Practice Leave No Trace Principles Access: From…
Read MoreHome Sweet Home
Bear haven in Olympic National Park Quick Facts: Location: Olympic National Park Land Agency: National Park Service Distance: 27.0 miles Elevation Gain: 4300 feet Contact: Olympic National Park www.nps.gov/olym Map: Green Trails Olympic Mountains East 168SX Notes: dogs prohibited; National Park entry fee (or Interagency pass) and Backcountry camping permit for overnight camping Access: From…
Read MoreWhite Pass–Sprawling meadows and stupendous views high on the Cascade Crest
Location: North Fork Sauk River Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 19.4 miles High Point: 5,850 feet Elevation gain: 4,000 feet Difficulty: strenuous Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Note: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass Required Access: From Darrington, travel south on the Mountain…
Read MoreThird Beach– First Rate and second to none!
Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Coast near Forks Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 2.6 miles Elevation gain: 300 feet Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center Green Trails Map: Olympic Beaches 99s Notes: Dogs Prohibited Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Good to Know: kid-friendly, snow free winter hike; beach walking;…
Read MoreFryingpan Lake
Onto the Trail and into a lovely lake setting Quick Facts: Location: William O. Douglas Wilderness Land Agency: National Forest Service Distance: 11.9 miles Elevation Gain: 2000 feet Contact: Naches Ranger District Gifford Pinchot National Forest Green Trails Map: Green Trails, White Pass, No. 303S Notes: Northwest Forest or Interagency Pass required; Overnight Permits required;…
Read MoreDishpan Gap—Crimson carpets at the headwaters of the Sky!
Quick Facts: Location: North Fork Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 17.4 miles Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Map: Monte Cristo- No. 143, Benchmark Mtn- No. 144 Special Note: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; wilderness rules apply Access: From Everett…
Read MoreRed Pass─High Portal to Glacier Peak
Quick Facts: Location: North Fork Sauk River Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 20.6 miles Elevation Gain: 4,300 feet Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (360) 436-1155; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Special Note: Northwest Trail Pass required. Access: From Darrington, travel south on the Mountain Loop Highway…
Read More