Backpacking Yellow Aster Butte with Views of Mount Baker and Shuksan

Backpacking to Yellow Aster Butte, a 3-day trip with spectacular views of Mt Baker, Shuksan, Tomyhoi Peak, endless meadows, tarns, and scrambling options.

BackpackingTimea ZilcsakSeptember 5, 2020Backpacking, Hiking, Trail, North Cascades, Mount Baker, Overnight, Alpine, Classic, Favorite, Forest, Lakes, Mountain, Meadows, Ridge, Views, Wildflowers, Tarn, Mount Shuksan, Featured, Camp Comment

Backpacking Park Butte with Stunning Views of Mount Baker

An overnight backpacking trip to the Park Butte Meadows and Fire Lookout Tower with a short side trip to Mount Baker’s Easton Glacier and climber’s camp.

BackpackingTimea ZilcsakAugust 22, 2020Park ButteBackpacking, Hiking, Trail, North Cascades, Mount Baker, Overnight, Alpine, Camp, Classic, Crevasse, Favorite, Fire Lookout, Forest, Glacier, Lakes, Mountain, Meadows, Ridge, Views, Volcano, Wildflowers, Featured Comments

Backpacking the Goat Rocks Wilderness (video)

In this video, join us on our 5-day walk in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Known for some of the best views on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Goat Rocks is a wonderful place to go backpacking.

BackpackingDaniel ZilcsakJuly 27, 2018Video, Hiking, Overnight, Multi Day, Backpacking, Backcountry, Washington, South Cascades, Alpine, Camp, Classic, Creek, Favorite, Forest, Lakes, Loop, Mountain, Meadows, Pass, Ridge, Scrambling, Snow, Summit, Sunset, Views, Volcano, Waterfall, Wildlife, Wilderness, Wildflowers, Nature, Outdoors, Featured, Most Popular Comments

A Simple Food Plan for First Time Backpacking

Whether going backpacking for the first time or just want to see somebody else's take on food and related gear, here's our recommendation.

GearDaniel ZilcsakJuly 30, 2017Article, Backpacking, Backcountry, Camp, Equipment, Guide, Gear, Outdoors, Overnight, Multi Day, Food, Hiking, Most Popular Comment

Backpacking Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches

A short backpacking trip leads you to the heart of a remote Pacific Ocean beach for the most spectacular sunsets. Here’s what Shi Shi is about, and more.

Backpacking Marmot Pass and Buckhorn Mountain, a Weekend Trip

An Olympic National Park classic, Marmot Pass is an ideal destination for a weekend backpacking, panoramic views from Buckhorn Mountain and sunset camping.

BackpackingTimea ZilcsakJuly 23, 2016Marmot PassAlpine, Backcountry, Washington, Camp, Creek, Forest, Trail, Olympic Peninsula, Meadows, Nature, Pass, Ridge, Summit, Wildlife, Olympic National Park, Overnight, Backpacking, Favorite, Article, Views, Featured, National Park Comment

Backpacking Navaho Pass and Navaho Peak, a Weekend Trip

Navaho Pass/Navaho Peak is one of the best choices for early season backpacking, with lots of options for extending your trip or exploring around camp.

BackpackingDaniel ZilcsakJuly 2, 2016Wildlife, Meadows, Creek, Camp, Summit, Ridge, Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, Salmon La Sac, Teanaway, Washington, Overnight, Backpacking, Favorite, Scrambling, Article, Views, Featured, Most Popular Comments

Climbing Mount Baker via the Easton Glacier Route

This is the story of our three day climb to the summit of Mount Baker via the Easton Glacier Route.

Vesper Peak - A Favorite Hike With Outstanding Views

Vesper Peak, one of the best hikes in the North Cascades. You are rewarded with fabulous views of some of the most spectacular peaks in Washington State.

Mountaineering, HikesDaniel ZilcsakJuly 12, 2014Summit, Camp, Pass, Lakes, North Cascades, Mountain Loop Highway, Washington, Scrambling, Hiking, Overnight, Article, Views, Trail, Mountain, Alpine, Favorite, Forest, Creek, Less Traveled, Off Trail, Ridge, Wilderness, Backcountry, Outdoors, Nature, Featured Comments

Anvil Rock - A Secret Detour on Your Way to Camp Muir

Anvil Rock is a little secret 10 minute detour hiding in plain site on your way to Camp Muir, the Mount Rainier basecamp. See what you miss by not taking it.

Mountaineering, HikesTimea ZilcsakJune 14, 2014Snow, Alpine, Paradise, Favorite, Camp, Summit, Ridge, Volcano, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, Glacier, Hiking, Scrambling, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing, Article, Views, Crevasse, Central Cascades, Creek, Meadows, Mountain, Nature, Off Trail, Overnight, Trail, Winter, Winter Hike, Outdoors, Ski, Snowboard, Featured, National ParkComment

The Old Mount Si Trail - A Better Way to Hike the Most Popular Seattle Peak

Here’s a better way to hike Mt Si, the most popular Seattle peak. The Old Trail is rougher and more challenging, but you get there with hardly any crowds.

HikesDaniel ZilcsakNovember 24, 2013Mount SiSummit, Forest, Washington, Most Popular, Hiking, Overnight, Article, Views, Central Cascades, Camp, Favorite, Less Traveled, Mountain, Scrambling, Training Hike, Winter Hike, Winter, I90 Corridor, Trail, Ridge, Snow, Outdoors, Featured Comment

Backpacking The Enchantments' Eightmile/Caroline Lakes

The Enchantment’s Eightmile/Caroline zone is a perfect weekend backpacking trip, with clear lakes, mountain views, secluded camps and scrambling opportunities.

Getting Started: Backpacking Gear List

From our experience over the years backpacking the Pacific Northwest, here's the gear and food that we carry with us in the backcountry.

GearDaniel ZilcsakAugust 1, 2013Backcountry, Camp, Hiking, Backpacking, Alpine, Article, Outdoors, Wilderness, Gear, Guide, Equipment, Overnight, Multi Day Comments

Backpacking the Olympic South Coast Wilderness Trail

There are few places as wild and beautiful as Toleak or Strawberry Point, to name just a few of the South Coast Wilderness Trail's highlights. This 17 mile stretch of wild Pacific Ocean beaches and cliffs, from Third Beach to Oil City, was our destination for this long weekend backpacking trip.

Backpacking Toleak Point and The Olympic South Coast Wilderness Trail

The South Coast Wilderness Trail, a must-do weekend backpacking trip along 17 miles of wild Pacific Ocean beaches and cliffs, from Third Beach to Oil City.

Hike to Camp Muir, Mount Rainier's Base Camp Above the Clouds

Camp Muir, one of the most iconic and tough trails in Washington State. Hike it to enjoy views of Mount Adams, St Helens, Hood, and Mount Rainier itself.

A Journey on This Pale Blue Dot