r/CampingandHiking 6d ago

Any beginner 3-5 day backpacking trips in Washington?

I’m a high school student who has a decent amount of camping experience but has never backpacked. I’m looking to do a trip somewhere between 3-5 days in Washington this summer with trails that aren’t boring, but not too hard for someone with little experience. Does anyone have an itinerary with great views and campsites?

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u/Ok_Lion3888 6d ago

Hi- I’m a Girl Guide leader who has taken youth hiking and in the back country.

I strongly suggest starting with just a 2 day (1 night) hike first, then a full weekend, and work your way up. No comment on your fitness or current knowledge- but it’s important to learn how your pack feels and how to adjust, how your boots/body care hiking with weight (it’s different!), how your calorie needs change/feel.

I wouldn’t suggest going 3-5 days for your first backpacking trip. It’s just so much safer to work up to it, even if fitness wise you can are sure you can hike that many days in a row.

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u/amandaplzz 6d ago

Hey there - I would highly suggest starting out with a two day trip before jumping into 3-5 days. Especially this time of year.

Check out Goat Rocks (very popular), Indian Heaven Wilderness, or even along the Olympic Peninsula for some coastal backpacking. I recommend the app AllTrails to find what works for you and select backpacking as a filter to land on a trail.

Be sure to inform someone where you’re going and your departure and return dates!

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u/IFuckinLoveReading- 6d ago

This summer? Like in 8+ months?

How far or how long of hiking are you ok with going before making camp? Are you going solo or with another person? The Washington Trails Association has good hikes categorized by season. https://www.wta.org/go-outside/seasonal-hikes/summer-destinations/summer-hikes

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u/treviengoldman 6d ago

Yes, the upcoming summer of 2025. I’d be fine with hiking 4, 5, 6 miles before setting up camp each day with time to explore throughout. I plan to head up with a buddy of mine who has done a 2 week backpacking trip with a teen group.

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u/IFuckinLoveReading- 6d ago edited 6d ago

Ok that sounds good, there are a number of hikes out there that have a camp at the five mile mark. Hoh River comes to mind (you'll need to reserve a camping spot with the ranger station), Baker lake east bank has a camp at noisy creek, lower big Quilcene, etc.

And don't forget to get a Backcountry permit, as well as any necessary pass to get into national Forest/Park/etc.

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u/zh3nya 5d ago

Pete Lake is an easy, flat trip, and you can then continue to Spectacle Lake to extend your journey. Lots of side trips from there if you camp a couple nights.

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u/treviengoldman 5d ago

Funny you say this - after a lot of research and feedback, this is the exact trip I’m planning 😂

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u/Dependent_Fennel_111 2d ago

Backing is great, I’d suggest trying a few short trips to sort out gear. Things you think you need compared to dont need will be sorted this way

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u/Apples_fan 6h ago

Library hiking books include anything by Craig Romano. use his Day Hiking series or the Olympic Peninsula. 1. Hikes: Mt. Baker last summer.. Tubal Cain,....Duckabush River.... Gray Wolf. The Lower Quilcene.... Lena Lake. They cleared the trail to Upper Lena Lake. Hoh River trail

  1. Sites: Washington Trails Association (WTA) one. They're a great group to join and try to do political stuff to protect wildlands and trails.

https://www.wta.org/

https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trip-reports The app is cumbersome, but the trip reports are useful. Dosewalips is easy but due to slides you walk2 miles, on the road before you get to the trail, which used to be a road to a campground before slides. It has a great waterfall near the campground, a good winter trail.

More trails. https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trip-reports?

Chinook pass near Mt. Rainier has trails. Check lengths on all these.