Note that these are just suggestions: check the WTA website for a jillion other ideas

🌸 = Good for early-season backpacking

🏕️ = Visited previously by Troop

American Lake

15.5 mi roundtrip; 2759’ gain; 5858’ peak

• Location: Mount Rainier area, Chinook Pass

• Drive time: 2h to trailhead (Naches Peak Loop Trailhead)

• Description: Classic Mt. Rainier hike that covers a portion of the PCT; Great wildflowers in August; fall color in late Sept-Oct

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Ancient Lakes  🌸🏕️

Dusty Lake (Ancient Lakes) 🌸🏕️

4.2 mi roundtrip (use lower trailhead); 600’ gain; 1200’ peak

6 mi roundtrip (use Ancient Lakes trailhead - Dusty Lake); 350'gain, 1000' peak 

12 mi roundtrip (use upper trailhead); 600’ gain; 1200’ high point (could split hike for older scout challenge)

• Location: Central Washington, Potholes Region

• Drive time: 3h to trailhead (Ancient Lower Lakes Trailhead); 3h to trailhead (Ancient Lakes Trailhead)

• Description: Our traditional first outing of the year, as the weather is mild in April, and it is an easy hike. Must carry in water: lakes are tainted with agriculture runoff and are not safe to drink, even when filtered. Be aware that there are rattlesnakes in the area.

• Accessibility: Discovery Pass required

• Visited by Troop: April 2009, April 2010, April 2011, April 2012, April 2017, April 2018, June 2021

6/21 Notes: Definitely recommend this trip in April as opposed to June - our June trip was much too hot; we were lucky that there was only one other camper there: kids camped at the rock at the end of the trail, and adults camped at the next set of campgrounds by the lakes.

4/23 Notes: Great campout: took >30 people, and had plenty of space to spread out.  Temperature was unseasonably hot in August, and ended up sending adults back to cars for extra water.  

Baker Lake - Maple Grove  🌸🏕️

8 mi roundtrip; 500’ gain; 1000’ peak

• Location: North Cascades, Mt. Baker Area

• Drive time: 2h to trailhead (Baker Lake Trailhead)

• Description: Several campsites along the trail (include firepits). Trail includes a suspension bridge over the Baker River. Because of lower elevation is usually snow-free in May; full Baker Lake Trail is 14 miles.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

• Visited by Troop: May 2008, June 2011, June 2017, May 2018

Barclay Lake

4.4 mi roundtrip; 500’ gain; 2423’ peak

• Location: Central Cascades, Stevens Pass West

• Drive time: 1h20 to trailhead (Barclay Lake Trailhead)

• Description: Noted as a great destination for scout troops because camping areas can accommodate larger groups (no group size limits)

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Big Beaver Creek  🌸

24.6 mi one-way; 500’ gain; 1980’ peak

• Location: North Cascades Highway, North Cascades

• Drive time: 2h40 to trailhead (Ross Dam Trailhead)

• Description: Hike to Big Beaver Creek (first crossing) and back is 15 miles, but hike can be extended as long as you want; younger scouts can backpack to Green Point for a 5-mi trip. Newest scouts can also stay at Colonial Creek Campground at Diablo Lake and work on outdoor skills. Other hikes in the area are May’s Creek, McAlister, and Tricouni. Great early-season backpack

• Accessibility: North Cascades National Park permit required

Blanca Lake 🏕️

7.5 mi roundtrip; 3300’ gain; 4600’ peak

• Location: Central Cascades, Stevens Pass West

• Drive time: 2h to trailhead (Blanca Lake Trailhead)

• Description: A challenging hike, but there are huckleberries along the trail, glacial robins-egg blue lake

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

• Visited by Troop: July 2010

Blewett Pass: Wenatchee Crest Snowshoe 🏕️

6 mi roundtrip; 400’ gain; 4500’ peak

• Location: Central Cascades, Blewett Pass

• Drive time: 2h to trailhead (Blewett Pass Trailhead)

• Description: Entry-level snowshoe/winter camping, with minimal crowds

• Accessibility: Sno-Parks Permit required

• Visited by Troop: March 2017

Esmerelda Basin

7 mi roundtrip; 1750’ gain; 5960’ peak

• Location: Snoqualmie region, Salmon la sac/Teanaway

• Drive time: 2h45 to trailhead (Esmerelda Trailhead)

• Description: Lots of wildflowers

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass Required

Goat Lake  🌸🏕️

10.4 mi roundtrip; 1400’ gain; 3161’ peak

• Location: Mountain Loop Highway, North Cascades Region

• Drive time: 2h10 to trailhead (Goat Lake Trailhead/Elliott Creek)

• Description: Going there, you have the choice between Upper & Lower Elliot trails. Camping near rushing waterfall, mountain lake, and two open-air privies: at least 15 campsites, though none are particularly private.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass Required

• Visited by Troop: April 2010, June 2014, July 2022

7/22 Notes: Scouts missed the trail split at the final mile of the trail and ended up scrambling by the waterfall, which was challenging but ultimately doable; campsites were crowded, but we ended up finding a good place to camp by the farther privy; ultimately a great hike and fun camping trip. We took took the Upper trail there and Lower home, and recommend this route.

Gold Creek Pond Snowshoe 🏕️

2.8  mi roundtrip; 10’ gain; 3000’ peak

• Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Snoqualmie Region

• Drive time: 1h to trailhead (Gold Creek Snowshoe Trailhead) 

• Description: Popular snowshoe destination for scouts - unclear if winter camping is allowed here at this time.

• Accessibility: Sno-Parks Permit required

• Visited by Troop: February 2008

Gothic Basin

9.2 mi roundtrip; 2840’ gain; 5200’ peak

• Location: Mountain Loop Highway, North Cascades Region

• Drive time: 1h50 to trailhead (Gothic Basin Trailhead)

• Description: Popular area for camping - would need to start early to find plenty of time to find a site. Steep hike that includes a few scrambles. Trail ends at Gothic Lake and Foggy Lake.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Greenwater and Echo Lakes 🏕️

14 mi roundtrip; 1900’ gain; 4100’ peak

• Location: Chinook Pass Hwy 410; Mt Rainier Area

• Drive time: 2h to trailhead (Greenwater Lakes Trailhead)

• Description: Hike takes you along Greenwater River, through old-growth forests past the two basin lakes; trail is fairly flat to Greenwater Lake (flat trail with multiple bridges, shared with equestrians, ~2 miles) and becomes more steep towards Echo Lake. You'll hit Lost Lakes at mile 6: this is another possible campsite. Option to continue onward to Noble Knob (adds 6 miles round trip) and Corral Pass.  Good trout fishing in these lakes.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

• Visited by Troop: July 2014 (Noble Knob), May 2019 (Lost Lakes)

Hannegan Pass to Ross Lake

• Description: 46 mi one-way on the trail: excellent trail for a Fifty-Miler. Hannegan Trailhead is near the Mt Baker Ski Area

Heather Lake

4.6 mi roundtrip; 1034’ gain; 2430’ peak

• Location: Mountain Loop Highway; North Cascades

• Drive time: 1h30 to trailhead (Heather Lake Trailhead)

• Description: A good first “real” hike for young scouts: trail is short but steep and challenging. Popular hike on summer weekends.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Hoh River to Five Mile Island  🌸

10.6 mi roundtrip; 300’ gain; 800’ peak

• Location: Pacific Coast, Olympic Peninsula

• Drive time: 4h50 to trailhead (Hoh River Trailhead)

• Description: Classic Hoh Rainforest trail that is very popular in the summer and almost empty in the winter. A half-mile up the trail is the small “Happy Four” shelter. Easy trail with minimal elevation, excellent tread, open understory.

• Accessibility: National Park Pass required

Hyas Lake

4.0 mi roundtrip; 100’ gain; 3500’ peak

• Location: Snoqualmie Region, Salmon La Sac/Teanaway

• Drive time: 1h30 to trailhead (Tucquala Meadows Trailhead)

• Description: The relatively flat hike to this long, shallow lake makes an excellent destination for young Scouts. The hike there follows the Cle Elum River Trail as it moves through wooded forest and over bubbling streams while surrounded by a bevy of local berries: thimbleberry, bunchberry, mountain ash and huckleberry.  Older scouts could press on to further lakes in this Alpine Lakes region, including Tuck and Robin Lakes.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Ingalls Creek 🏕️

Up to 28.8 miles one-way; 1450’ gain; 3450’ peak

• Location: Blewett Pass, Central Cascades

• Drive time: 2h7 to trailhead (Ingalls Creek Trailhead)

• Description: Hike along Ingalls Creek with lots of wildflowers, many sites for camping/resting along creek

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

• Visited by Troop: October 2005

Juniper Dunes  🌸🏕️

Up to 15 mi roundtrip; 300’ gain; 1050’ peak

• Location: Tri-Cities; Central Washington

• Drive time: 3h40 to trailhead (Juniper Dunes)

• Description: There is a 3.5 mi walk through an OHV area to the wilderness boundary, which is 7,140 acres of campable area. Campfires strictly prohibited, and visitors must be well-versed in Leave No Trace Ethics. No water sources within wilderness area: all water must be carried in. Wilderness is home to diverse wildlife and Washington’s largest remaining juniper grove.

• Accessibility: Overnight permit required for backpacking, available for free by contacting the BLM office in Spokane.

• Visited by Troop: April 2007

Kendall Katwalk

12 mi roundtrip; 2600’ gain; 5400’ peak

• Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Snoqualmie region

• Drive time: 40min to trailhead (Kendall Katalk PCT North Trailhead)

• Description: Features a narrow pathway blasted from a steeply sloped rock face, and also old-growth forest, wildflowers; blueberries in late August. Do this hike in late summer: lingering snow can make the hike treacherous.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Lake Valhalla 🏕️

7 mi roundtrip; 1500’ gain; 5050’ peak (Smithbrook)

10 mi roundtrip (Stevens Pass)

• Location: Stevens Pass East, Central Cascades region

• Drive time: 2h to trailhead (Smithbrook Trailhead); 1h43 to trailhead (Stevens Pass Lake Valhalla Trailhead)

• Description: This trail could be done as a dayhike key swap, having one group start at the Smithbrook trailhead and the other at Stevens Pass: meet in the middle for a picnic by the lake: 9.9 miles total hike from trailhead to trailhead. Popular winter snowshoe destination. Wildflowers in early summer, berries in late summer, and fall colors in autumn.

• Accessibility: No pass required

• Visited by Troop: September 2017, September 2024

Lena Lake 🌸

7.2 mi roundtrip; 1300’ gain, 2000’ peak

• Location: Hood Canal, Olympic Peninsula

• Drive time: 2h20 to trailhead (Lena Lake/Brothers Trailhead)

• Description: Very beautiful hike that is not too difficult, about 20 campsites along the lake, with the best sites found on the west of the lake.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Manzama Ridge Snowshoe

3.0-6.0 mi roundtrip; 900' gain, 5,700' peak

• Location: Mt Rainier area, Paradise

• Drive time: 2h30 to trailhead (Manzama Ridge Trailhead)

• Description: Winter grou permits can be obtained on Recreation.gov as soon as there is the required 5' of snow.  .  Food will need to be in a canister, and wag bags are imperative. Great winter camping option.  Talk to Troop 600 for advice: they do this trip every year. More information here and here.

• Accessibility: National Parks Pass required

Middle Fork Snoqualmie River

12 mi roundtrip; 1650’ gain; 1100’ peak 

• Location: Snoqualmie, North Bend Region

• Drive time: 0h50 to trailhead (Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trailhead)

• Description:  A long meandering hike upstream along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River: a great day hike or backpacking trip.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass Required

Mirror Lake via Mirror Lake Trailhead

2.2 mi roundtrip; 870’ gain; 4200’ peak 

• Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Snoqualmie Region

• Drive time: 1h30 to trailhead (Mirror Lake Trailhead)

• Description: Mirror Lake is beautiful with good campsites, though it can quickly fill because of the proximity to the trail. If it’s full, head a further 0.5 miles taking a left at a junction to Cottonwood Lake. Good backpacking destination for beginners. 

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass Required

Mirror Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail

7 mi roundtrip; 1180’ gain; 4195’ peak

• Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Snoqualmie Region

• Drive time: 1h30 to trailhead (Silver Peak Trailhead)

• Description: Mirror Lake is beautiful with good campsites, though it can quickly fill because of the proximity to the trail. If it’s full, head a further 0.5 miles taking a left at a junction to Cottonwood Lake.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass Required

Monte Cristo Ghost Town

8 mi roundtrip; 700’ gain; 2800’ peak

• Location: Mountain Loop Highway, North Cascades

• Drive time: 2h to trailhead (Monte Cristo Trailhead)

• Description: Wide flat trail to a ghost town with a few relics. Must pack in water - local water is tainted with heavy metal.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass Required

Necklace Valley 🏕️

18 mi roundtrip; 3400’ gain; 5000’ peak

• Location: Stevens Pass - West, Central Cascades

• Drive time: 1h40 to trailhead (Necklace Valley Trailhead)

• Description: Great 2-3 night backpack trip for hearty hikers. Trail passes many alpine lakes: starts out easy along East Fork Foss River (600’ gain for first 5 miles) but becomes steep after you cross the river (2400’ gain in 3 miles).

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass and Wilderness Permit (self-issue, no fee, at trailhead) required

• Visited by Troop: June 2010

O’Neil Trail

45.4 mi one-way

• Location: Olympic National Park, Olympic Peninsula

• Description: Historic trail from the O’Neil’s Olympic Expedition: Qualifies for the Historic Trails award. Staircase Rapids Ranger Station on the Skykomish River, over First Divide (North Pass), down to the Duckabrush River, over O’Neil Pass, and down the Quinalt River to Graves Creek Ranger Station

• Accessibility: National Parks Pass required

Ozette Triangle (Cape Alava Loop) 🌸🏕️

9.4 mi roundtrip; 100’ gain; 350’ peak

• Location: Olympic Peninsula, Pacific Coast

• Drive time: 4h45 to trailhead (Ozette Campground)

• Description: Triangle hike where two legs are on boardwalk through the forest and the third is on the beach (camp on beach), with abundant wildlife, petroglyphs. Camp on the beach at Sand Point and Cape Alvea. Bear canisters required. Very easy, flat hike. Group sizes strictly limited to 12 people.

• Accessibility: National Park Pass and overnight camping permit required

• Visited by Troop: April 2005, May 2023

• 5/23 Notes: Scouts prefered Cape Alvea site, since sites were on the water and campfires were allowed. Hike along beach was challenging with full packs, but it was a great trip.  Sent two groups of scouts out, camping in opposite campgrounds and switching campgrounds on day 2.  If we do this again, consider leaving tents up on site to to "claim" site for the other troop, since sites are hard to grab on a holiday weekend (and would save weight in packs).

Pacific Crest Trail - Section J (Snoqualmie to Stevens Pass)

74 mi one-way; 16000’ gain; 5988 peak

• Location: Snoqualmie pass, Snoqualmie region

• Drive time: 40m to trailhead (PCT North Trailhead)

• Description: Some of the most remote and diverse mountain country of the entire PCT

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Packwood Lake 🌸🏕️

10 mi roundtrip; 600’ gain; 3200’ peak

• Location: Goat Rocks, South Cascades

• Drive time: 3h30 to trailhead (Packwood Lake Trailhead)

• Description: Great hike for late spring/early summer (no snow at this time); Rolling path (not flat, despite low elevation gain). Can continue to Mosquito Lake and Lost Lake.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required, backcountry permit box is located just before the wooden bridge leading to the lake.

• Visited by Troop: June 2022

6/22 Notes: 600’ gain is misleading: trail was very rolling, with a lot of gain and loss; Initially set up camp on the wrong side of the bridge by the lake and ended up having to pack up tents and move to the far side of the bridge when the rangers came out; was challenging to find a campsite along the lake, but a family took pity on us and shared their site with us. Bugspray was necessary, but beautiful hike and location.

Pete Lake

9 mi roundtrip; 400’ gain; 3200’ peak

• Location: Salmon La Sac/Teanaway, Snoqualmie region

• Drive time: 2h5 to trailhead (Pete Lake Trailhead)

• Description: Easy hike: mild up-and-down and 8 easily-forded creeks, dispersed campsites are lakeside. Varied wildflowers and wildlife. Bring bugspray.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Press Expedition Traverse

48.9 miles one way; 7,749’ gain, 5308’ peak

• Location: Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park

• Description: Best to visit June-September. Very remote hike - you won’t see a lot of people. Departs from Port Angeles - Trailhead unclear (would have to consult rangers.) Hiking on this trail would qualify for the Historic Trails Award

• Visited by Troop: July 2024

Silver Lakes 🏕️

11 mi roundtrip; 3400’ gain; 5700’ peak

• Location: Hood Canal, Olympic Peninsula

• Drive time: 3h to trailhead (Mount Townsend Trailhead)

• Description: Plenty of camping at the lake, and water sources along the way. There are multiple ways to access the lakes: round-trip from Dirty Face Ridge Trailhead is about 14 miles, as is access from Little River Trail.

• Accessibility: No permit required

• Visited by Troop: June 2019

Snoqualmie Lake - Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trailhead

18.2 mi roundtrip; 1900’ gain; 3147’ peak

• Location: North Bend Area, Snoqualmie region

• Drive time: 1h to trailhead (Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trailhead)

• Description: Can do key swap from Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trailhead to Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead (16.5 mi thruhike). In Sept, huckleberries between Snoqualmie and Bear lakes.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Snoqualmie Lake - Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead 🏕️

14.6 mi roundtrip; 1900’ gain; 3147’ peak

• Location: North Bend Area, Snoqualmie region

• Drive time: 1h to trailhead (Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead)

• Description: Can do key swap from Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trailhead to Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead (16.5 mi thruhike)

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

• Visited by Troop: May 2010

Snow, Gem, Lower Wildcat Lake, Upper Wildcat Lake 🏕️

17 mi roundtrip; 4000’ gain; 4920’ peak

• Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Snoqualmie Region

• Drive time: 1h to trailhead (Snow Lake Trailhead)

• Description: Hiking trail passes Snow Lake (3.6 miles), Gem Lake (5.2 miles) and Lower Wildcat Lake (8 miles).  The path between the Lower and Upper Wildcat lake is a brushy bushwack - map and route-finding experience required. Steep ascent, and the path to Snow Lake is very popular.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass, Wilderness Permit required (Self-issue at trailhead - no fee)

• Visited by Troop: 7/05 (only to Lower Wildcat)

Surprise and Glacier Lakes 🏕️

11 miles, roundtrip; 2700’ gain; 4900’ peak

• Location: Central Cascades, off Highway 2

• Drive time: 1h20m to trailhead (Surprise Creek Trailhead)

• Description: Established camping at Surprise Lake, and then can continue on to hike at Glacier Lake: would work for a 1- or 2-night hike

• Accessibility: NW Forest Permit required

• Visited by Troop: September 2018

Talapus and Olallie Lakes

6.2 mi roundtrip; 1220’ gain; 3780’ peak

• Location: Snoqualmie Pass

• Drive time: 0h50 to trailhead (Talapus Lake Trailhead)

• Description: Moderate grade on a wide trail: this is a great spot for hikers and beginning backpackers!  Ollalie is the further of the two lakes, with lakeside campsites.

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required

Toleak Point

17 mi one-way; 2000’ gain; 350’ peak

• Location: Pacific Coast, Olympic Peninsula

• Drive time: 4h to trailhead (Third Beach Trailhead)

• Description: Leave a car at the Oil City Trailhead and enter trail at the Third Beach Trailhead. Mosquito Creek is a good mid-hike campsite. Beware of tides, as they can cover the trail during high tide and, on some days, eliminate the possibility of hiking all together. Trail can be muddy in early summer: suggest hike for August.

• Accessibility: Backcountry camping permit required

Thunder Creek

12 mi roundtrip; 1300’ gain; 1900’ peak

• Location: Hwy 20, North Cascades

• Drive time: 2h45 to trailhead (Thunder Creek Trailhead)

• Description: A pale green creek, big old trees, a variety of understory, and peek-a-boo views of snow-capped peaks. First-time backpackers will enjoy beautiful camps just two miles from the trailhead; experienced backpackers will note that Thunder Creek is a gateway to an extensive network of trails.

• Accessibility: $26 backcountry permit required (must be picked up in person at one of the Park’s Wilderness Information Centers)

Tonga Ridge 🏕️

8 mi roundtrip; 1200’ gain; 5495’ peak

• Location: Stevens Pass - West, Central Cascades

• Drive time: 1h50 to trailhead (Tonga Ridge Trailhead)

• Description: Great hike for wildflowers in spring or berries in the fall

• Accessibility: No pass required

• Visited by Troop: September 2009

Umtanum Creek Canyon 🌸🏕️

6.5 mi roundtrip; 500’ gain; 1800’ peak

• Location: Yakima, Central WA region

• Drive time: 2h to trailhead (Untamum Creek Recreation Site)

• Description: One of our Troop's traditional first hikes of the season. Flat hike through canyon with basalt formations, creek, bighorn sheep, and flowers: excellent first backpacking trip

• Accessibility: BLM fee of $5/car to park in lot

• Visited by Troop: April 2008, April 2011, April 2019, April 2022, April 2024

4/22 Notes: Really great first hike of the year: beautiful scenery (striking regrowth after fires) and easy (flat), with easy access to waterside campsites and places to explore; Stopping at Red Arrow for dinner on the way home was great!

Lake Valhalla

7 mi roundtrip; 1500’ gain; 5050’ peak

• Location: Central Cascades (Stevens Pass East)

• Drive time: 1h40 to trailhead (Smithbrook Trailhead)

• Description: PTC camping, with berries in late summer and vivid fall colors in the autumn. The grade is modest. There are a number of campsites and a couple of backcountry toilets at the lake and a pleasant sandy beach. Cutthroat trout jump along the shore.

• Accessibility: no passes required

• Visited by Troop: Sept 2017, Sept 2024

White Pass to Chinook Pass

28 mi one-way; 5060’ gain, 6900’ peak

• Location: White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley, South Cascades Region

• Drive time: 3h17 to trailhead (PCT White Pass North Trailhead)

• Description: Very scenic leg of the PCT, recommended 4 days of 7-8 miles per day, with abundant campsites and many stopping points along the way. Challenging but gorgeous. Could be done as a key swap (one car at Chinook Pass, one car at White Pass)

• Itinerary: If you're looking for camping spots, consider the following:

Day 1: White Pass to Sand Lake (3 mi) or Pipe Lake (7.5 mi)

Day 2: Fish Lake or Crag Lake

Day 3: American Lake or Cougar Lake

Day 4: Out via Dewey Lake, to Chinook Pass

• Accessibility: NW Forest Pass required