The Lower Lewis River is a good early season option when there’s still snow at higher elevations. Highlights include old-growth forest, uncrowded trails, and of course, the Lewis River.
Stunning Falls Creek Falls is the highlight of this loop hike that combines an easy hike alongside a mossy creek in old-growth forest with an upper ridge trail and canyon views.
My favorite place to see fall color is at Indian Heaven. On this two night backpacking trip, we hiked in via the East Crater Trail, camped at Bear Lake, and day hiked to Lemei Rock.
With high temps, biting black flies, and wildfire smoke, we cut this trip short after two nights but still had a great time in this scenic location.
Packwood Lake is a great early season backpacking option if you can find a good weather window. Even though the forecast called for rain every day, we lucked out and only had a brief period of bad weather.
Indian Heaven Wilderness is my favorite place to backpack in the fall due to the brilliant display of color. On this four day backpacking trip, we hiked the Lakes Basin loop and explored around Lemei Rock.
On this four day trip at Mount Adams, we camped at Killen Creek and hiked to High Camp and Foggy Flat.
The low elevation forested canyons of Trapper Creek Wilderness provide an easy getaway for relaxing backpacking trips.
Trapper Creek Wilderness is located in Southwest Washington, and in spite of its closeness to Portland, this is my first time hiking here.
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