Destinations

2023 PNW Backpacking

Permit and Reservation Information

Destinations by Location

Looking for some recommendations on where to take your next (or first!) backpacking trip? All Trip Reports are real journals of my trips with at least one of my kids. If I didn’t think it’s likely to be a positive experience, those trips are in the Not Recommended section. And for those wishlist trips, check out Future Destinations.

Destinations by Difficulty

Easy

Hyas Lake

Cle Elum, WA

2.0 mi each way

+100 feet Elevation Gain

3500 feet Max Elevation

June – November

Barclay Lake

Baring, WA

2.2 mi each way

+200 feet Elevation Gain

2400 feet Max Elevation

June – October

Mirror Lake

Snoqualmie Pass, WA

1.1 mi each way

+600 feet

4200 feet Max Elevation

June – October

Medium

Talapus and Olallie Lakes

Eightmile Lake

Lake Dorothy

Labyrinth Mountain/Minotaur Lake

Gothic Basin/Foggy Lake: Challenging hike and crowded

Pine Lake (Olympic Peninsula): Limited sites, buggy, poor lake access, limited activities in the surroundings