Posts Tagged ‘Backpacking’
White 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 MoreHorse Creek Trail–Trot through towering coastal old-growth forest
Quick Facts: Location: Drift Creek Wilderness, Siuslaw National Forest Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 7.2 miles Map: Online from Forest Service Elevation gain: 1,400 feet Difficulty: moderate Contact: Central Coast Ranger District (Waldport), Siuslaw National Forest Notes: Drift Creek Wilderness is south of Newport. Do not confuse with popular Drift Creek Falls near Lincoln…
Read MoreFortune Ponds–Two little tranquil bodies of water deep within the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
Quick Facts: Location: Beckler River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Service Roundtrip: 13.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,700 feet Green Trails Map: Benchmark Mtn- No. 144 Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades Access: From Everett head east on US 2 for 50 miles to Skykomish turning left onto the Beckler River Road (FR 65). Continue north for 6.9 miles…
Read MoreDowney Creek — portal to famous Ptarmigan Traverse
Quick Facts: Location: Suiattle River Road Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 13.6 miles Elevation gain: 1500 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway Map 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass required Access: From Darrington travel north on SR 530 for 7.5 miles turning…
Read MoreCooney Lake–larches at the edge of the North Cascades
Location: Sawtooth Ridge Roadless Area Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 16 miles High Point: 7,300 feet Elevation gain: 3,800 feet Difficulty: moderate Green Trails Maps: Prince Creek, WA- No. 115 Contact: Methow Valley Ranger District: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass Required Access: From Twisp follow SR 153 south turning right onto Gold…
Read MoreGrand Valley–Aptly named valley has it all; lakes, meadows, and fantastic alpine scenery
Quick Facts Location: Obstruction Point (Hurricane Ridge) Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 9.8 miles Elevation…
Read MoreFisher Lake–Quiet backcountry lake beyond Tonga Ridge
Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Round Trip: 10.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1350 feet Contact: Skykomish Ranger District, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Maps: Alpine Lakes West Stevens Pass No 176S Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: Follow US 2 east to Skykomish. Then continue east for 1.9 miles…
Read MoreRoyal Basin–Crown jewel of the Olympic Rain shadow
Location: Northeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 16.0 miles Elevation gain: 2700 feet Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East No. 168SX Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; Dogs-prohibited at national park boundary (at 1.3 miles) Good to Know: Exceptional Wildflowers, Backpacking options Access: Take…
Read MoreLower Big Quilcene River─Lowland hike teems with primeval beauty
Quick Facts: Location: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal District Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: To Camp Jolly 10.2 miles Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East 168SX Elevation Gain: 800 feet Contact: Hood Canal District, Quilcene Good to Know: kid-friendly, dog-friendly, open to mountain bikes, backpacking opportunities, old-growth, exceptional rhodies, Practice Leave No Trace Principles Access: From…
Read MoreOzette Triangle–Classic Olympic Coast Hike packed with surprises
Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Coast Land Agency: Olympic National Park Roundtrip: 9.4 miles Elevation Gain: 400 feet Notes: National Park entry fee; dogs prohibited; coastal section can be difficult during high tides. Green Trails Map: Olympic Coast 99S Contact: Olympic National Park Access: From Port Angeles, follow US 101 west for 5 miles to SR 112. Continue on…
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