Guru's Top 5 Favorite PNW Backpacking Trips

During COVID, I spent huge amounts of time outside (in my case backpacking) because everything inside was literally shut down. Being outside during that strange time helped me process all of the crazy things going on in the world and helped me stay sane. I enjoyed backpacking specifically because it provided an opportunity to connect to nature and to people during a time when connections felt far away. Here are my top five favorite backpacks from the Oregon/Washington area during that time:

5. Mt Hood National Forest: Timberline Trail 

This classic around-the-mountain loop of Mt Hood is around 39 miles with 12,000 ft of elevation gain. I have done this route several times, most recently with a group of industry friends. We did the trail in a reasonable three nights, four days starting and finishing at Timberline Lodge and camping at Ramona Falls, Elk Meadows and Gnarl Ridge. No permits needed which is great, but keep an eye out for intel on river crossings - they can get a bit spicy.

4. Mt Rainier National Park: Wonderland Trail 

One of the more iconic around-the-mountain loops in the lower 48, the Wonderland Trail takes you around Mt Rainier in Mt Rainier National Park. It's a 93 mile loop with approximately 22,000 ft elevation gain, depending on the route. We did it in eight nights, nine days and my favorite camp spots were Klapatche Park and Summerland. We saw three bear along the way, swam in alpine lakes, walked by glaciers and had a great time. There are some logistics involved in planning for this trip due to mailing food caches to specific drop points ahead of time - so got a chance to put my spreadsheet skills to use. There is a lottery for permits and is popular to plan well ahead of time for this trip.

3. Olympic National Park: Marmot Pass -> Constance Pass

We did this 20 mile, 8,000 ft route in two nights, three days - staying both nights at Marmot Pass with a day trip to Constance Pass. The sites at Marmot Pass are limited, but if you are able to score one, they have stunning views of the Olympic range. The cool thing about this route is that a big portion of it (including Marmot Pass) is in Buckhorn Wilderness so is not permitted. There is no water at Marmot Pass, so you'll have to fill up at a creek about a mile down the trail. 

2. Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Tuck, Robin & Jade Lakes

This is a 25 mile, 8,000 ft elevation gain out and back Y route that takes you on a grueling climbs up to the lakes and back down again with primitive sections of the trail that require some minor scrambling, both up to Tuck and Robin lakes as well as a big boulder section up to Jade Lake. However, the pay-off is worth every drop of sweat - these lakes are absolutely magical and may be some of the prettiest places I have been on earth. I still remember sitting up at Tuck & Robin lakes having happy hour with friends watching the sun set over the mountains, or morning coffee overlooking the turquoise water of Jade Lake. These areas, although rugged and remote, are not undiscovered so consider going mid-week or not on a Holiday weekend.

1. Glacier Peak Wilderness route: Spyder Gap -> Buck Creek Pass - > Little Giants Pass