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Blueberry bushes brighten a glacial moraine on Mount Olympus (Trip 4) late in the season.

How to Use This Book

Backpacking Washington highlights 80 trips throughout the state. It includes easy to moderate trips perfect for families and newbies as well as difficult and challenging treks that guarantee solitude and top-notch wilderness experiences. This book includes all the details you need to confidently plan a trip to any of its destinations, although you will of course want to acquire a map with more detail to refer to out on the trail. I have hiked every mile described in the book so that you may have confidence following the descriptions.

WHAT THE RATINGS MEAN

Each trip in this book starts with three subjective measures: a rating of 3 to 5 stars for overall appeal, a numerical score of 1 to 5 for the difficulty of the route, and a numerical score of 1 to 5 for the likelihood of crowds. The ratings are purely subjective, based on my impressions of each hike. But these assessments do follow a formula of sorts.

Rating

The overall rating is based on scenic beauty, natural wonder, and other unique qualities, such as solitude potential and wildlife viewing opportunities.

*****	Unmatched backpacking adventure, great scenic beauty, and wonderful trail experience
****	Excellent experience, sure to please all
***	A great backpacking trip, with one or more fabulous features to enjoy

Why only 3 to 5 stars? Because all the trips in this book are standouts in the state.

Difficulty

The difficulty score is based on trip length, overall elevation gain, steepness, trail conditions, and other features such as river fords and snowfields. Generally, trails that are rated more difficult (4 or 5) are longer, steeper, and consist of more cumulative elevation gain than average. But it’s not a simple equation. A shorter, steep trail over talus slopes or a coastal route over slippery rocks and ledges may be rated 4 or 5, while a long, smooth trail with little elevation gain may be rated 1 or 2.

5Extremely difficult: A trip consisting of long mileage and excessive elevation gain and/or one that traverses extremely difficult terrain. A trip with bragging rights!

4Difficult: A challenging trip, usually with sufficient mileage and elevation gain, but generally consisting of less difficult trail conditions than those rated 5.

3Moderate: A good backpacking trip consisting of decent mileage and elevation gain and generally few special trail concerns.

2Moderately easy: A trip that is generally not too demanding in length and elevation gain.

1Easy: A trip on good trail, with a generally gentle grade, ideal for beginner backpackers.

To help explain the difficulty score, you’ll also find the roundtrip, one-way, or loop mileage, total elevation gain, and high point. While I measured most of the trails using GPS and maps, and I also consulted the governing land agencies for all trips in this book. A trip’s distance may not be exact, but it’ll be pretty close. The elevation gain measures the cumulative amount that you’ll go up on a hike—not only the difference between the high and low points but also all other significant changes in elevation along the way. As for a hike’s high point, note that not all high points are at the end of a trail—a route may run over a high ridge before dropping to a lake basin.

Author on the Boundary Trail (Trip 72) with Mount Remmel in the background (Photo by Ted Evans)

Crowds

I rate each trail on a scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 1 meaning there is a high probability of being alone and 5 denoting a popular trail. Some of the trails rated 3 and 4 may be only a 1 or 2 on a weekday.

SEASON

Many trails can be enjoyed from the time they lose their winter snowpack right up until they are buried in fresh snow the following fall. But snowpacks vary from year to year, so the hiking season for each trail is an estimate. And anticipating whether you might need to bring an ice axe or expect significant snow can make all the difference for a trip. Contact land managers for current conditions.

MAPS

Hikes in this guidebook typically reference Green Trails maps, which are based on the standard 7.5-minute USGS topographical maps. Green Trails maps are available at most outdoor retailers in the state, at many National Park Service and US Forest Service visitor centers, as well as directly from Mountaineers Books.

Each trip then lists the land management agency to contact for current information; any permits/regulations, including fees, reservations, wilderness rules, and regulations governing campfires, bear canisters, and the like; special features that make a trip worthwhile; special concerns to be aware of, such as difficult fords, lingering snowfields, and rough road access; and trailhead GPS coordinates in degrees and decimal minutes, based on the WGS84 datum, to help you get back to your car if you wander off-trail.

ICONS

Finally, icons at the start of each hike description give a quick overview of what each backpacking trip has to offer. Kid-friendly trips are generally easier and, in Backpacking Washington, indicate trips good for older children who have experience backpacking (kidfriendly hikes in the Day Hiking series are for younger children). A dog-friendly trip is not only one where dogs are allowed but the trail is easy on the paws, with adequate shade and water. Lightly traveled routes where you can enjoy exceptional solitude are noted. Trips with especially abundant seasonal wildflowers and old-growth forests are also highlighted, as are trips offering exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Historical trips take you through the region’s human story of First Peoples and early European settlement and exploration. Endangered trails are threatened due to lack of maintenance, motorized encroachment, or other actions detrimental to their existence.

	Kid-friendly
	Dog-friendly
	Solitude
	Exceptional wildlife viewing
	Exceptional wildflowers in season
	Exceptional old growth
	Historical relevance
	Endangered trail

GETTING THERE

The driving directions start from the nearest city, town, or geographic feature that’s easy to find on a map. Distances are given to the nearest tenth of a mile where helpful for navigation. Be aware that road conditions change, especially for unpaved forest roads. It pays to check with the local park or ranger district before you head out.

ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS

The route descriptions detail what you might find on your backpacking trip, including geographic features, water sources, where to set up camp, flora and fauna potential, and more. Options for extending your outing round out each trip so that, if you want, you can add more miles or even days to your adventure. Each description also includes a Trip Planner with mile points for features, campsites along the route, and turnoffs for camps off the main trail so you can decide how far you want to go each day.

WILDERNESS RULES APPLY

Many of the hikes in this book travel through designated wilderness areas, where wilderness rules apply. These rules (see “Wilderness Regulations” in the Introduction) encompass a series of prescriptions meant to protect the integrity of federally protected wilderness areas. Some of the regulations are universal among wilderness areas, such as the prohibition of motorized equipment, bicycles, and drones. All wilderness areas also restrict party size, and the numbers vary depending on the area. Hikers are responsible for knowing the rules upon entering a wilderness area. Selfissued permits clearly state these rules, and specific rules can be found on the websites of the appropriate managing agencies.

Although taking a backpacking trip requires a fair amount of preparation and careful packing, especially when you’re new to it, once you’re on the trail, you’re bound to have some of the most memorable experiences of your lifetime.