My favorite backpacking in the Pacific Northwest
There is a pretty endless number of incredible hikes and wilderness areas in the Pacific Northwest. After three years of exploring, hiking and backpacking in the Pacific Northwest while I lived and worked there, these are my favorite overnight trips. From long to short hikes, these are some of the best places your feet can carry you in the PNW without too many technical skills.
1.The Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Washington
18 miles for the full through hike, 4,500 gain starting at Cholchuck Lake 6,000 if going through snow lake, difficult- multi-night trip recommended.
This is a popular area and for good reason the scenery is other worldly, but you will need to win a permit lottery to camp here overnight. Getting permits for the core and Cholchuck Lake are the hardest. I have had the best luck with Snow Lake permits, probably because it is a longer hike to snow lake and into the core than the Cholchuck side. You will want at least 3 nights in my opinion for this area. One day to get there, then two days to explore the core, you will have to hike in and out each day if you are staying at Snow Lake and then back out on day 4. Even if you are lucky enough to get permits to camp inside the core area, spend as much time as you can. There are lots of great scrambles up peaks and other off shoots from the main path through the core zone to explore.
2. Summit Lake, Mount Rainier Area, Washington
6 miles, with loop around lake, 1,300 gain, moderate - great for a one night trip
I loved camping here, it is a great bang for your buck backpacking trip, not too long or steep for incredible views. There are nice camping spots along the lake, then you can hike up the ridge for incredible sunrise and sunset views or even pitch your tent on the rocks up there. Some people camp on the little ridge above the lake, but it is rocky and not much for flat places. The ground by the lake is much more comfortable, you’ll just have less of a view. On a hot day the lake is great for taking a dip. There are also lots of trout if you want to do a little fishing.
3. Olympic Coast, Washington
Second Beach: about one mile - easy - great for one to two nights Strawberry Point: about eight miles - great for two nights, but totally doable for one
There are many options for backpacking along the Olympic Coast, some of my favorites are in La Push. For a simple trip hike to Second Beach, which is just one mile, and puts you out on a large beach surrounded by beautiful sea stacks. However, the beach can get crowded on weekends and holidays. A favorite longer hike is to Strawberry Point starting at the third beach trailhead and continuing further along the coast. It is important to time these hikes with the tides, so you can walk on the beach and not get pushed up into the steep headlands. There is a trail that basically spans the entire coastline, so pick a spot and hike as far as you want, or until you find a sweet camping spot. Make sure if you are camping on the beach you find somewhere above the high tide line. I always tuck my tent up in the logs or in the trees if there is a flat area.
4. Tunnel Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon:
12.2 miles, about 2,100 feet total gain, moderate - great for one to two nights
It is only 12 miles if you go all the way to tunnel falls and back, but there are other sites along the trail you can make your destination. I recommend backpacking a ways in and setting up camp, then continuing the rest of the way to Tunnel Falls with only a day pack. There are several camping spots along the way. You will pass several waterfalls along the way including punch bowl falls. There are parts of the trail that you are walking along the cliff edge, so it might not be a great trail if you are super afraid of heights. If you have a couple nights to spend you can hike up on the ridge from the tunnel falls trail and link up with a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, for a day of exploring or making this trip a larger multinight trip.
5. Timberline Trail, Mount Hood, Oregon:
41 miles 2-4 days, 10,800 feet total gain, hard
This trail goes all the way around Mount Hood, so you can see the mountain from every angle. You have great views the whole time and pass through a lot of different landscapes. There are lots good camping places along the way, including some more designated areas you will see on the map. There are some large river crossings, so be mindful of water levels and try and time some of the bigger crossings for the morning when the water level should be down a little.
6. Snow camp at Crater Lake National Park, Oregon:
2-30 miles, depending on route, moderate - great for one two nights
The mileage can vary hugely depending on if you do an out and back or the whole rim, the rim road is closed in winter and it is possible to ski the whole thing camping along the way. We opted to do a short out and back in the snow with snowshoes. There were very few people camping, it was peaceful and nice to have it to ourselves. The snow makes the lake very beautiful. It was a fun experience and a unique way to see the national park in a way that most people do not.
7. Mount St. Helens Summit, Washington
10 miles, 4,500 feet gain, hard - great for one two nights at the base
Okay you don’t actually get to camp on top of Mount St. Helens, but get a permit to summit it and then you can spend two nights camping at the start of the trailhead. Spend a night there so you can start up early in the morning on the day of your summit. It is an all day event for most people to make it to the top and back down and it is so beautiful you might as well take your time and really enjoy it. After the hike you can drive out to a nearby town or I recommend just camping again, then no packing up when you get done.
8. Park Butte, North Cascades Area, Washington
7.5 miles, 2,200 feet gain, moderate - best for one to two nights
Hike to a firelook out with incredible views of Mount Baker and the surrounding mountains. If you get lucky and are the first one to arrive that day you can stay in the fire lookout, but have a backup plan, people get here super early in the day to stake their claim on the lookout, which is just first come first serve. You can also camp just down the trail, where there are nice meadows for pitching a tent. There are also several small pools to collect water for filtering.
9. Broken Top Loop, Three Sisters Wilderness Area, Oregon:
About 23 miles and 4,000 total gain, hard- recommend 3 day and 2 nights on the trail, possible to do in two long days
The broken top loop is a two to three day overnight backpacking trip, that can be hiked in either direction. You will see day hikers especially around Green Lakes and the no name blue lake below Broken Top, but you can find solitude and great views doing this as an overnight adventure.
10. Thornton Lakes, North Cascades National Park, WA:
8 -10 miles depending on if you do Trappers Peak, 3,700 feet gain, hard - best for day hike or one night backpacking
Thorton Lares are gorgeous lakes located in North Cascades national park. This can be done as a day hike or an overnight trip. You need to secure a backcountry permit online for North Cascades National Park if you plan on spending the night at the lakes. The edge along the lake are pretty steep and not great for camping, but there are other places along the trail to camp. The trail continues up past the lake to Trappers Peak if you want a longer hike and even better views. It’s an 1,000 foot scramble in less than a mile, but the views are incredible. If you aren’t up for the scramble don’t worry, the lakes are so beautiful you will be more than glad you did the hike.
