Last Updated: October 2025 | Reading Time: 20 minutes I’m standing at the edge of Grizzly Lake in the Yukon, alone, having just hiked 11 kilometers with everything I need for four days on my back. My family is fourteen hours and a barge crossing away. The tundra stretches out…
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Hiking PCT Section J Solo: 7 Days, 90 Miles, and Why Long Trails Are Different
If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail but don’t have five months for a thru-hike, Section J in Washington is the perfect test piece. Stretching about 90 miles from Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, it’s rugged, gorgeous, and packed with alpine lakes. I hiked Section J solo…
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North Cascades Fall Larch Season Itinerary: 3 Days Among Golden Needles
There’s something truly magical about hiking through alpine meadows glowing gold, with jagged mountain peaks rising all around you. That’s larch season in the North Cascades — and it’s absolutely worth planning a trip around. Whether you’ve been eyeing October on your calendar for months or you’re suddenly free for…
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Scenic Hot Springs Washington: Permit Info, Trail Guide + What to Expect
Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 12 minutes | Difficulty: Moderate (summer) / Hard (winter) There’s something surreal about hiking 2.5 miles through dense Cascade forest, gaining roughly 1,100 feet, and then slipping into steaming pools tucked into a quiet hillside. Scenic Hot Springs delivers one of the most…
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Thru-Hiking the Enchantments: Complete Guide to Washington’s Most Coveted Alpine Adventure
If you’ve hiked in Washington for any length of time, you’ve probably heard about the Enchantments. Even if you haven’t hiked in Washington, the name might still sound familiar—it’s infamous in the hiking world. Granite peaks, glowing golden larches, turquoise lakes stacked one after another… it’s the kind of place…
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13 Best Backpacking Trips in Washington (From a Local)
Epic routes, pro-tips, and local insights from a Washington-based hiking mama Washington is one of the best states in the country for backpacking — but it can also feel overwhelming to plan your first (or next) trip. This list covers the best backpacking trips in Washington State, from approachable overnights…
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Blue Lake Trail Guide: Stunning in Summer, Glowing with Larches in Fall
Blue Lake is one of the North Cascades’ most accessible alpine gems. Right off Highway 20 near Washington Pass, this short out-and-back trail delivers turquoise water, jagged granite peaks, and (in fall) some of Washington’s most photogenic larches. If you’re planning a trip, you’ll also love my roundup of the…
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Beginner Backpacking in Washington State: Trips I’d Start With
If you’ve ever been curious about backpacking but felt unsure where to start, you’re not alone. It can look intimidating from the outside — packs, permits, miles, gear — but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The best way to get into backpacking is to start small, choose forgiving trails,…
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Washington Larch Timing: Historical Windows + How to Pick Your Week
Updated: September 2025 Larch season is short, sweet, and stair-stepped by elevation. Rather than guessing week by week, this guide uses historical windows to help you pick your trip dates—and a simple strategy to pivot if a zone runs early or late. I’ll also keep a Real-Time Notes section (starting…
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Easy Backpacking Trips in Washington (Perfect for Beginners & Families)
Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 14 minutes Great backpacking for beginners in Washington… here we go! We all have to start somewhere. My first backpacking trip with my kids looked like this: a 55-pound pack, two stuffed animals strapped to the outside, two kids, and one night out.…
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Backpacking Rialto Beach: Olympic Coast Adventure
It’s hard to beat backpacking Rialto Beach for a true Pacific Northwest adventure. The second you step out of the parking lot, you’re already on the sand with the Pacific crashing at your feet. Sea stacks rise from the surf, tide pools sparkle with anemones and sea stars, and massive…
