Looking for hiking suggestions

[Carl]

In early August, my son and his buddy, both 21 and from the east coast, want to go on a 3-4 day hike/camp.  Last spring they spent 1 week in Yosemite and loved it. 

Their goal here: someplace beautiful and hopefully not too crowded.

They mentioned going to the Olympic National forest.   I’m thinking that won’t be a real wilderness experience because, if I’m not mistaken, you have to camp in one of the Nat. Forest camp grounds. 

Would they be better off hitting a wilderness area? 

Could some of you hikers throw out some suggestions? I know it’s all subjective.

Thanks very much,
Carl

[Skyvalhunter]

What level of toughness are we talking? You could always do the PCT from Snoqualmie to Stevens or Stevens to Stehiekien(sp). That way you will see alot of country.

[Carl]

What level of toughness are we talking? You could always do the PCT from Snoqualmie to Stevens or Stevens to Stehiekien(sp). That way you will see alot of country.

They're both very fit.

[hrd2fnd]

Head to Trinity over by Lake Wenatchee, fish lake. Follow 23 miles of dirt road, park, cross river and head into the wilderness.

[bobcat]

Why not the Olympic National Park? The Enchanted Valley would be a good hike.

[Carl]

Why not the Olympic National Park? The Enchanted Valley would be a good hike.

Certainly not ruling it out.  I’m just not familiar with the hiking/camping part of it.  I’ve only camped at the Lake Quinault Lodge.     Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.   

They will only have one shot at this and I’m trying to give them some options.

Thanks for all input,
Carl

[snowpack]

Could send them up the Hoh river.  They could camp at the meadows below the blue glacier and then if they wanted to...climb mt Olympus. 

[jackelope]

What level of toughness are we talking? You could always do the PCT from Snoqualmie to Stevens or Stevens to Stehiekien(sp). That way you will see alot of country.

This is where I'd be.
70 miles of amazing scenery. A great adventure, especially for a couple east coasters. They'd have to hump it pretty good to get done in 4 days. I'm going to do it when I have 5 days. That way there's time to explore, sight see, fish,  whatever.

[CAMPMEAT]

The Kettle Crest Trail off of Sherman Pass. It's around 30 miles one way. Google it and see for yourself. It's very uncrowded from what my neighbor said.

[dmv9]

+1 on the PCT between Snoqualmie and Stevens

[bobcat]

Another good one would be the Pasayten Wilderness. I'd go to the east side of it. Have them do some research on Cathedral Lakes and Horseshoe Basin. It probably wouldn't be as crowded as the Pacific Crest Trail. 

[Curly]

Have them go up Mt Adams.  There are several threads on this site with pics of a Mt Adams adventure.   

[jackelope]

Have them go up Mt Adams.  There are several threads on this site with pics of a Mt Adams adventure.   

That's a 2 day trip if you're out of shape like me. The young athletic guys were round tripping it in 1 day.
Great trip, an awesome adventure, but not a 4 day trip and it's usually really crowded. The snow will probably suck too at that time making it real hard to walk in the soft, squishy melting stuff.

[Curly]

Ok.  How about St Helens one day and Adams another?

[scottcrb]

Another good one would be the Pasayten Wilderness. I'd go to the east side of it. Have them do some research on Cathedral Lakes and Horseshoe Basin. It probably wouldn't be as crowded as the Pacific Crest Trail.

thats what i want to do.

[Carl]

Thanks everyone.  I really appreciate the ideas.

In a day or 2, I'll package them all up and send them to the guys for their research.

Carl

[snowpack]

Another good one would be the Pasayten Wilderness. I'd go to the east side of it. Have them do some research on Cathedral Lakes and Horseshoe Basin. It probably wouldn't be as crowded as the Pacific Crest Trail.

If it were after the middle of the month they could get some good bear hunting in there too. 

[Carl]

Another good one would be the Pasayten Wilderness. I'd go to the east side of it. Have them do some research on Cathedral Lakes and Horseshoe Basin. It probably wouldn't be as crowded as the Pacific Crest Trail.

If it were after the middle of the month they could get some good bear hunting in there too.

He wants to go bear hunting but I don't want to bring that up - I can't afford to buy him an out of state big game license!     

[Curly]

I just re-read your post.  I guess I missed the "not too crowded" part.  That would leave my suggestions out.

[4T]

Horseshoe basin is one of my favorite spots in pasayten. 6 miles in from iron gate trailhead with only 900 feet in elevation increase and that is pretty much the last 1/4 mile. Smith lake is a cool lake to call home for a day or so. I think the forest service let the cabin burn in the fire a few years back. Saw one of the biggest bucks I've ever seen in there.

[timberghost72]

Horseshoe basin is one of my favorite spots in pasayten. 6 miles in from iron gate trailhead with only 900 feet in elevation increase and that is pretty much the last 1/4 mile. Smith lake is a cool lake to call home for a day or so. I think the forest service let the cabin burn in the fire a few years back. Saw one of the biggest bucks I've ever seen in there.

Some friends and I are heading to Horseshoe Basin in September. I've never been there or anywhere in the Pasayten yet and am excited. We're going early Sept. so not hunting but I'll be scouting for sure.

[4T]

Don't forget your grouse shooter that time of year.

[Rakkasan00]

Flap jack lakes is perfect for this


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[acnewman55]

Why not the Olympic National Park? The Enchanted Valley would be a good hike.

 

[luvmystang67]

Okay, I had something big written up and then firefox crashed 

So, in brief, I have not done the PCT trail that is mentioned, but last summer my gf and I did 4 days and saw Jade lake, about a 10 mile hike from the trailhead at the end of salmon la sac road.  Then we went up past tuck lake to Robin lakes, where we saw several goats.  If I had to do one of them, I'd do Robin lake because there's more hiking once you get up there.  Heck you could even stay at Tuck the first night and then power up to Robin the second night.  There are great lookouts above Robin lake.

I would advise against national parks and instead stay in national forests.  The park rangers, designated camping sites, ranger station reservations... are all a pain in the butt.  I'd be happy to elaborate more if you're interested.  Doing both Jade and Robin lakes in one sitting is 30+ miles.  Doing just one would be more like ~20 miles total.

[bowhiker]

Okay, I had something big written up and then firefox crashed 

So, in brief, I have not done the PCT trail that is mentioned, but last summer my gf and I did 4 days and saw Jade lake, about a 10 mile hike from the trailhead at the end of salmon la sac road.  Then we went up past tuck lake to Robin lakes, where we saw several goats.  If I had to do one of them, I'd do Robin lake because there's more hiking once you get up there.  Heck you could even stay at Tuck the first night and then power up to Robin the second night.  There are great lookouts above Robin lake.

I would advise against national parks and instead stay in national forests.  The park rangers, designated camping sites, ranger station reservations... are all a pain in the butt.  I'd be happy to elaborate more if you're interested.  Doing both Jade and Robin lakes in one sitting is 30+ miles.  Doing just one would be more like ~20 miles total.

Where are these lakes? This area looks beautiful and a trip I would like to do.

[luvmystang67]

Where are these lakes? This area looks beautiful and a trip I would like to do.
[/quote]

It is off of Salmon La Sac road out of Cle Elum.  As for the lakes, look them up on google maps in that area.  There are many, these are just some of the several.  Great place to hike around.

[DJ_Mack]

I just did the PCT from stevens to Snoqualmie this last summer in 5 days.  It is 75 miles and a good workout.  I would recommend Rainy Pass to Steheiken PCT from Highway 20 down to the north part of Lake Chelan.  It is a hike I would recommend over and over.  You will see a lot of wildlife.  And you can have fires which is really nice!!!!