This area is far from a secret but it is well worth the hype and we still found some quiet places. For this backpacking trip you can just show up, fill out a permit, and off you go (assuming you can find a parking spot) but there are plenty of options for breaking up or extending your trip.
The map below shows our planned routes and actual tracks and includes photos of many of the campsites and water crossings.
Want to get away from it all and stay somewhere really unique? Looking for somewhere special on a tight budget? Want to go camping but nervous about a bear nuzzling your toes in the middle of the night? Like the idea of camping, but like a few extra creature comforts? Just looking for something different? There is something here for you!
Washington has luxury hotels with stunning views, backcountry retreats, and plentiful backpacking, but we also have some pretty interesting places that don’t fit most of the normal categories:
The Goat Rocks Wilderness sits between three volcanoes and in the summer it is a paradise for flower lovers. You won’t have to worry about being alone on this trail, but there is enough space to find a little solitude if desired.
The map below shows our route and includes photos of many of the campsites and water sources.
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I am not a Pacific Northwest or Washington native, but I moved here for the mountains and have done a fair bit of exploring with well over 100 hikes ranging form easy to a couple of Washington’s volcanoes. These are my picks for the best!
This backpacking adventure had phenomenal mountain views and stunning lakes, laced with delicious berries. At night we had the beautiful milky way shining brightly overhead, along with some other strange lights. We found solitude on High Pass and friendly comradery everywhere else. The fall colors were particularly spectacular.
If you have been wanting to try backpacking, but are scared of sleeping outside with the animals, I think the number of people here should alleviate your worries some and this is a nice easy place to give it a try.
The Enchantments is a wildly popular hiking area and camping permits are difficult to get for most zones. The Eightmile Caroline Zone seems to be a bit of the ugly duckling. As the least loved area it is the easiest to get permits for and the best if you are looking to avoid the crowds.
Just because it is the least loved doesn’t mean it isn’t stunning. The Eightmile Caroline Zone offers views of a glacier, jagged mountain peaks, clear alpine lakes, vibrant meadows, and a couple optional mountain scrambles if you wish to challenge yourself.
This was my first-ever true backpacking trip and it was fantastic! Lake Chelan is a narrow strip of icey blue water surrounded by snow-cover peaks and it reminded me of a fjord. This is not a beginner hike, but the campsites have a lot of amenities that make backpacking easier and allow for a lighter pack. Trailhead access is by boat only, and a reservation is needed, so a little planning is required.
Looking for a one of a kind weekend get away with unparalleled views? Ok with a place that is a little rustic and a bit unpredictable? If yes, this might be the adventure for you! Sleeping in a Fire Lookout overlooking glacier covered Mount Baker is quite an experience, but takes a bit of planning.