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View Full Version : week long loop this summer near Seattle/Portland



wilconow
01-03-2008, 12:25
I'm looking to spend 2 weeks in the NW this year. Never been there before (from baltimore/DC) and am very anxious to check it out. One week is to explore Portland/Seattle and the other is to backpack.

I've moderately experienced with backpacking, though haven't been doing it for long. Two years ago I started doing multi-night trips, and this past year I did week long hikes on the AT. I love the AT but am interested in doing something more remote and grand. Unfortunately, I've yet to been able to convince a friend to join me.

Considering that I'm changing my mind from doing the Wonderland Trail in order to be in a more remote area, I'll feel more safe with a partner, and it'll help with logistics.

Thanks.

rafe
01-03-2008, 12:30
I hear there's a loop trail around Mt. Rainier that's just awesome. I did a short weekend hike around Mt. Adams through some really gorgeous terrain. For example...

http://www.terrapinphoto.com/mt_adams_greenlake.jpg

wilconow
01-03-2008, 12:32
yeah it's the wonderland.

A-Train
01-03-2008, 13:30
I don't know of any loops as the only hiking i've done in the Pac NW is the PCT, in a straight line. Chris, who lives in the area might chime in with some ideas.

If I had a week and was moderate/novice in experience, I'd start from Trout Lake, probably an hour drive from Portland and hop on the PCT hiking north. You'd quickly enter the Adams wilderness, partially hiking around Mt. Adams and then would enter the spectacular Goat Rocks Wilderness, IMO the coolest part of the PCT. This stretch would probably take 4 days to get to White Pass where there is lodging and food/resupply opportunities. From here I'd go 2 more days up to Chinook Pass in Rainier Nat'l Park. This stretch affords awesome views of Rainier from a mere 10 miles and is very wild and scenic (saw a big black bear!). Dewey Lake is an awesome place to camp.

From Chinook you're probably 2+ hours from Portland and Seattle, which you could probably both hitch in a day, or back to Trout Lake easily. This trip is spectacular, definately one of the most scenic parts of the PCT. In summer you should dodge much rain.

Also, you could try to circumnavigate Adams and maybe find someone to take you up it.

I'd recommend the Glacier Peak section of the trail, which is closer to Seattle, and incredibly scenic, but being "moderately" experienced, you may find this to be a bit much for you. IMO, you've really got to be fully reliant in here, as there there are virtually no bail out points.

wilconow
01-03-2008, 14:55
Great info, thanks A-Train.

Back in '03, your AT journal was one of the first I starting reading. I still refer back to it when I'm going over a new section of the AT

rasudduth
01-04-2008, 12:48
The Wonderland Trail is defunct right now due to the crazy storms in Nov 2006. (i.e. it does not exist as a trail right now, but if you are really really good with a map and compass you could hike it). Beautiful trail and a must do once they rebuild the trail. It will probably be another 4-5 years though before it will be complete.

A great trail to do is the West Coast Trail on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. This is an epic trail and I will be doing this in June with some other friends that live in the Seattle area.

wilconow
01-04-2008, 12:52
The Wonderland Trail is defunct right now due to the crazy storms in Nov 2006. (i.e. it does not exist as a trail right now, but if you are really really good with a map and compass you could hike it). Beautiful trail and a must do once they rebuild the trail. It will probably be another 4-5 years though before it will be complete.


You sure about that?

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28170&highlight=wonderland
http://www.trailjournals.com/location.cfm?trailname=6404
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2003922084_nwwrainier040.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderland_Trail


Due to the damage suffered as the result of a flood in November 2006 the park service did not accept reservations for the 2007 summer season for attempts to hike the entire Wonderland Trail. The trail was reopened on August 3, 2007 after extensive work by the park service, the Washington Conservation Corps, Student Conservation Association and 1,700 volunteers.

MOWGLI
01-04-2008, 13:17
My co-worker just returned from a 12-week assignment at Mt. Rainier. The trail is open, with a 4 mile road walk near Stevens Canyon / Backbone Ridge. That will be worked on in '08 as they just got the road open. There was a MAJOR slide in that area.

rasudduth
01-04-2008, 14:59
My bad, I have been told repeatedly that it was not open. Sorry about that.

wilconow
07-02-2008, 07:58
Ok, I picked up the excellent Trekking Washington (http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=532) book and think I found a trail that looks good.. in the eastern part of the North Cascades

Was wondering if anyone had comments/suggestions, etc. Weather, wildlife, anything. I'm most likely going in mid august

Here's a brief description of the hike

"The Sawtooth-Lake Chelan Traverse boasts themost varied terrain of any trek in Washington, rising from pine forests through numerous daunting passes touching nearly 7.500 nearly feet from pine forests through numerous daunting passes touching nearly 7,500 feet elevation before plummeting to 1,100 feet along the shores of Lake Chelan. The trek offers a lakeshore pilgrimage, the splendor of Stehekin, and the wild beauty of the Chelan-Sawtooth summits, with a return via dramatic Purple Pass."

The PCT goes through Stehekin, correct?

MOWGLI
07-02-2008, 08:01
Contact Washington Trails Association (http://wta.org/) if you need some help with info or trail conditions. They are a great organization.

wilconow
07-02-2008, 08:04
Contact Washington Trails Association (http://wta.org/) if you need some help with info or trail conditions. They are a great organization.

Thanks for the rec. By far the best trail club website I've seen

MOWGLI
07-02-2008, 09:37
Thanks for the rec. By far the best trail club website I've seen

Their Executive Director was on the Executive Committee of a former employer of mine. She is a very sharp and dedicated individual, and an excellent leader. If I wasn't already committed in a different direction here in Tennessee, I'd apply for that awesome trail job posted on the site.

A-Train
07-02-2008, 10:40
Yes the PCT goes near Steheking. Considered the northernmost trail town/resupply. It involves a 10 mile bus ride to or from the trail.

Being in Stehekin is reason enough to hike any trail nearby. It is truly a slice of heaven, unique in every way and definately the coolest trail town I've visited on any trail.

the BEST bakery, and a free lakeside campground. Bring cash!!!

wilconow
07-02-2008, 10:42
Cool.. The route I'm doing goes directly to Stehekin before a 5800 ft climb. I'll get a lot at the bakery

BlindMoose
07-22-2008, 16:48
In the Portlan area there is the Columbia river gorge with dozens of hiking trails with greats veiws - check out WWW.NWhiker.com (http://www.NWhiker.com) and in the Seattle area you cant beat the Olympia National forest, been a while since i was up there but it has to sytill be beautiful. I live in the Portland area, if you want a hiking partner of just some info then hit me up. GL2U