First backpacking trip ideas

[Jones Bones]

Hey all! I have been planning for my first over-nighter on foot this spring. I'm thinking east of Olympic NP in the forest, but have never been. I have two main goals, learn more about what I need to successfully backpack in a few miles and, in a perfect world find some sheds along the way since it is that time of year. I'm mainly concerned about the location - That area looks STEEP, and from what I've researched most of the elk hangout down real low, almost in town. If that's true I doubt I'll find many sheds in the hills. I'm honestly just looking for a moderately difficult trek with the chance for sheds. What other areas should I be exploring? I appreciate any help. I do have the basic gear and onX maps is shipping to me right now.

[7mmfan]

So the first and most important part of your plan is that shed hunting in the park is prohibited. If you get checked by a park ranger with sheds you're in trouble.

I'm not super familiar with trails over there but theres lots of good trails along the rivers where you can enjoy great scenery, trust your gear, and see some animals.

Have fun!

[Hunter mike]

Hard to recommend due to not sure about your skills, abilities, and tolerance for company(or lack of company).  I would recommend looking at WTA website and pick something that sounds interesting/doable.  Mountain miles - even on trail - come hard when you’re new with a backpacking load.  I’d suggest keeping it short without too much elevation gain.  More of a drill on win self-sufficient and way to hike out if some gear etc. doesn’t work out. 

There are some great places to visit less than a mile or 2 from the truck.  Many are less crowded than the high alpine meadows many miles further in.

As for elk, you’re way more likely to see them on the E. Oly peninsula driving to the trailhead then in the backcountry in my experience.

[Jones Bones]

So the first and most important part of your plan is that shed hunting in the park is prohibited. If you get checked by a park ranger with sheds you're in trouble.
 

Yeah I will definitely be avoiding the Park. OnX will come in handy for that!

Hard to recommend due to not sure about your skills, abilities, and tolerance for company(or lack of company).  I would recommend looking at WTA website and pick something that sounds interesting/doable.  Mountain miles - even on trail - come hard when you’re new with a backpacking load.  I’d suggest keeping it short without too much elevation gain.  More of a drill on win self-sufficient and way to hike out if some gear etc. doesn’t work out. 

There are some great places to visit less than a mile or 2 from the truck.  Many are less crowded than the high alpine meadows many miles further in.

As for elk, you’re way more likely to see them on the E. Oly peninsula driving to the trailhead then in the backcountry in my experience.

Thanks Mike. I'm no stranger to hunting or hiking, only overnighters. Company will come and go, I've got a friend that will tag along once in a while. I think 2-4 miles with moderate elevation gain would be perfect, like you said easy to turn around if need be.

As for the animals on the E peninsula, I was afraid of that... My only reason to backpack was to get out and find some new areas and sheds but I think I will look somewhere other than the E peninsula. What about the N side of Rainer?

[Hunter mike]

I’m a bit more familiar with South Rainier area, but there should be elk around those areas by mid to late summer.  Probably no sheds though - from what I would figure, most of them drop their headgear on the low elevation winter range.  Pretty much anywhere on the westside for backpacking will have bear, grouse, usually some deer.  It will be a while for most spots to melt out still.

[Jones Bones]

Appreciate your help. How are the crowds on the south side? I've read a couple times that south of the hill is quite popular?

[Hunter mike]

I haven’t been there recently enough to say for sure.  I like to get a bit off trail, so often even when the trail is busy you can usually find an area away from the crowd.  Pretty much any decent named trail in WA gets a fair amount of traffic at least on weekends.

[444Marlin]

If it's the Oly Pen you want, try the Duckabush trail.  A little up and down in the first few miles, and its about 4 or 5 miles from to the Park Boundary.  Check the trail reports prior to setting out to see how far it's clear. I almost never find sheds so I can't help you there.

Enjoy!

[elkchaser54]

If you're in king county, I live in Seattle and head here,  there is some good access points in to the alpine lakes wilderness areas with lots of trails and camping spots along the lakes. Thats where I go for my warmup hikes for September elk hunts in the backcountry .

[kselkhunter]

Sent you PM with suggestions