Backpacking Recommendation

[UplandSetter]

Lived in Washington for less than a year, looking for backpacking route recommendations. Ideally 3-4 day trip, the only caveat is that it would be in April. I'm reading that there will still most likely be a decent amount of snow around that time, but I'll still take rec's regardless, I'll decided whether I want to posthole for miles or not. Difficulty isn't an issue, I would prefer something off the beaten path and with few other people. Thanks in advance.

[Caseknife]

A trip that would be ideal to do in April, would be Hell's Canyon.  The trail follows the Snake River in the bottom of the canyon.  Snow would not be an issue and you would possibly be able to hike in shorts.  Runoff at stream crossings could be an issue.  The other fun part of the trip would be the jet boat ride on either end of the trip.

Anything in the high country would be out of the question unless you are into winter camping and snowshoeing.

Something out in the basin in the seep lakes area, but don't know if you could get a 3-4 day trip.

Maybe something in the Columbia River Gorge.  The waterfalls would be spectacular.

Have fun planning.

[Wphunt]

I did a couple of march and April backpack trips years ago. The Olympic peninsula was good when we hit the weather right. The beach trail will be busy for sure. Did the Upper queets valley once, it was awesome and very much off the beaten path. We followed game trails most of the way. There was a maintained trail there at one time but it was long overgrown. We saw lots of elk and I caught a steelhead over 40”. Fishing will be closed this year though.
I have also done a trip in the colockum area near the Columbia river that time frame. It was good and also deserted. Found a really big elk shed. Weather would be more reliable there.
I second hells canyon, though I’ve never hiked it.

[UplandSetter]

Thanks for the replies. Hells Canyon looks like a great option. I've looked into it a lot of chukar hunting next year, but never put two and two together on backpacking. Would also be a great way to scout. I'll take a look at routes.

[elksnout]

Just be mindful of the ticks over there in the spring. Body checks before getting in the sleeping bag!!


elksnout

[Caseknife]

Here is the link to the Snake River Trail #102.  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wallowa-whitman/recarea/?recid=51661