I Heart Pacific Northwest

View all backpacking destinations listed on I Heart Pacific Northwest based on location, difficulty rating, and best seasons.

Difficulty Ratings

The difficulty ratings listed here are based on the initial hike in to setup camp and do not include additional hikes on the trip.

Easy: Up to 6 miles, and up to 1,000 ft. gain
Moderate: Up to 8 miles with 1,000-2,000 ft. gain
Strenuous: Up to 10 miles with 2,000-3,000 ft. gain
Very Strenuous: Up to 12 miles with 3,000-4,000 ft. gain

Best Season

The best times listed will vary somewhat from year to year, but in general, what is listed is based on my own experiences in each location and take into account when areas tend to be snow-free, have a lower risk of biting black flies and mosquitoes (no guarantees on this though!), or when water access is more plentiful.

Location	Difficulty	Best Times
NORTHWEST OREGON
Badger Creek Wilderness: Badger Creek	easy	May, October
Mount Hood: Burnt Lake	moderate	late July-early October
Mount Hood: Cairn Basin	strenuous	late July-early October
Mount Hood: Elk Cove	moderate	late July-September
Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness: Salmon River Canyon	moderate	May-June, September-October
CENTRAL OREGON
Three Sisters Wilderness: Doris Lake	easy	August-September
Three Sisters Wilderness: Green Lakes	moderate	late July-September
Mount Jefferson: Jefferson Park	strenuous	late July- September
Mount Jefferson: Hunts Cove	strenuous	late July-September
Mount Washington Wilderness: Tenas Lakes	easy	late July-September
EASTERN OREGON
Eagle Cap Wilderness: Lakes Basin	strenuous	late July-September
SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON
Goat Rocks: Packwood Lake	moderate	May-June, September
Goat Rocks: PCT & Cispus Basin	moderate	late July-September
Goat Rocks: Snowgrass Flat & Goat Lake	moderate	late July-September
Indian Heaven Wilderness: Junction Lake	easy	September-early October
Indian Heaven Wilderness: Bear Lake	easy	September-early October
Indian Heaven Wilderness: Deep Lake	moderate	September-early October
Lower Lewis River	easy	April-May
Mount Adams: Killen Creek	moderate	late July-September
Mount Rainier: Berkeley Park	moderate	late July-September
Mount St. Helens: Ape Canyon	moderate	June-early July
Mount St. Helens: Coldwater Ridge	moderate	June-early July
Trapper Creek Wilderness	easy	April-June
CENTRAL WASHINGTON
Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Colchuck Lake	strenuous	late July-September
Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Rachel & Rampart Lakes	strenuous	late July-September
Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Pete Lake & Spectacle Lake	moderate	late July-September
NORTHERN WASHINGTON
North Cascades: Cascade Pass	moderate	late July-September
North Cascades: Copper Ridge	strenuous	late July-September
OLYMPIC PENINSULA
Olympic Mountains: High Divide	strenuous	late July-September
Olympic Mountains: Marmot Pass	strenuous	July-September
Olympic Mountains: Royal Basin	strenuous	late July-September
Olympic Rainforest: Enchanted Valley	moderate	April-June, September
Olympic Rainforest: Hoh River	easy	April-June
Olympic Rainforest: North Fork Skokomish River	moderate	April-June
Olympic Coast: Shi Shi Beach	easy	April-June
Olympic Coast: Rialto Beach to Chilean Memorial	moderate	April-June
Olympic Coast: Ozette Triangle	easy	April-June
OREGON COAST
Tillamook Head	moderate	April-June, September-October

Backpacking Destinations in Oregon & Washington

View all backpacking destinations listed on I Heart Pacific Northwest based on location, difficulty rating, and best seasons.

Difficulty Ratings

Best Season

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