Washington Backpacking

There are terrific trails for Washington state backpacking. Thousands of miles of trails in all types of terrain.

Here are the most popular backpacking trails:

Denny Creek / Melawkua Lakes

Enchanted Valley - over 6000 feet elevation-18-mile backpack from the Graves Creek trailhead to Anderson Pass. 13.5 miles to Enchanted Valley along the Quinault River.

Directions to trailhead in Olympic National Park region:From I-5 on to Highway 12 heading West towards Aberdeen then take Highway 101 heading north to Lake Quinault then turn right at south shore road and go to Graves creek.

http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-trail-conditions.htm

Snoqualmie Pass Area - Gem Lake, Snow Lake, High Lakes
Gem Lake

Hamilton Mountain

Near Beacon Rock State Park Columbia Gorge region
4 mile hike to top

Hamilton Mountain

Hamilton Mountain Pics

Heather Lake

-----------------Hoh Rain Forest

Hoh Rain Forest to Glacier Meadows
Hoh Rain Forest Hiking

Hoh Rain Forest Hiking conditions

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Icicle Ridge

Independance Lake

Lake Ann Trail #600

Lake Ann North Cascades Rainy Pass/Maple Pass

-----------------Loowit Trail 216

Mt St Helens Crater Rim

Mount St. Helens trails - loowit trail #216 and Crater Rim

---------Mt. Rainier Northern Loop
Mount Rainier trails

Mt. Zion #836
Mount Zion

North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park Hiking

Pacific Crest Trail
Washington state Pacific Crest Trail Hiking

Rattlesnake Ledge
Rattlesnake Ledge Hiking

Third Beach to Toleak Point
Hiking Washington State Beaches

Trapper Creek Wilderness
Trapper Creek Wilderness Hiking

Wonderland Trail

Mount Rainier National Park Loop hike100 mile loop but you can do sections.

Wonderland Trail Hiking

Umtanum Falls

Eastern Washington hiking

Umtanum Falls Hiking

1. Buy a light pack. Saving even a few ounces adds up to an easier trip. A 3500 CU pack is fine for shorter trips and a 4500 Cubic Inch pack will do for most longer trips. No need to drag around the extra weight of a 6000 CU pack.

You can also modify your pack by removing extra straps, clips, etc. Make sure you don't need anything before you hack it off ;)

2. Tents. It is usually better to bring one 2 or 3 man tent then 3 one man tents. You can divide up the load between the others in the party. If you are solo, a bivy sack is the lightest way to go. You get waterproof and liteweight shelter.

During a prolonged rain storm, you may wish you had brought a tent. You can't do much inside a bivy sack.

3. Clothing. Use a layering system to get the most comfort with the least amount of weight. Thermals, fast drying layer, a fleece jacket and raingear is a great outfit.

A few pair of socks will complete your clothing needs. You can bring more if you want to carry it.

If your clothes get damp, leave some to dry in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night. They will be dry in the morning.

4. Cooking. Even thought you can live off cold food quite well. A light stove is a nice item to have. Especially if the weather is cold or stormy. Hot cocoa or soup is lite food that will really fit the bill.

Slowly cut back on the weight of your gear, don't try to do it all in one trip. You will not try to cut it to the bone and forget something useful if you take your time.

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Backpacking Tips

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Backpacking Tips and Advice for Washington State Hiking.