This loop hike offers many alpine lakes, views of the admirable Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker in the distance and brings you back to the beautiful Artist Point. This is a great fall hike if conditions allow for it.

We scored the Enchantments core permit giving us access to one of the most highly sought after camp areas in Washington state. With 6 days, we planned objectives such as Dragontail to Little Annapurna traverse, Prusik Peak, exploring the core zone and more. This place is a climbers playground and a photographers dreamland.

Eldorado Peak or “queen of the cascades” as the former Becky called it, is known for it’s breathtaking views of the North Cascades and a hair raising knife’s edge to reach it’s summit. We put a wedding on top, because what better place to say I do? Read about the amazing adventure here.

Glacier Peak or Dakobed is one of Washington’s 5 volcanoes. It is the most remote volcano that makes you work hard to climb it. With an approach of 18 miles and over 10,000 ft of gain roundtrip, this mountain encompasses a backpacking trip with a glacier to top it off. Experience a true PNW climb in the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

Climbing Mt. Baker via the Easton Route is a technical climb involving steep snow and glacier travel. In this post I share the ups and downs along the way.

Ruth Mountain is a great first glacier climb for someone looking to practice mountaineering and glaicer skills. Climbing through a lush valley to a sea of mountains, this climb has it all.

Camp Muir is the base camp to make it the summit of Mt. Rainier, a 14,411 foot volcano. Experience a taste of the tallest peak in Washington with this amazing day hike.

Where else can you go in March for warm, dry backpacking in Washington? Ancient Lakes! A 2 mile hike brings you to a desert oasis with waterfalls, lakes and hope of the backpacking season ahead.

When you can find the right weather window, a winter trip to the Washington coast can offer solitude and a break from the snowy cascades. Second Beach is a 20 minute walk from the car with classic PNW haystack views.

Backpacking doesn’t have to end in the summer months for those willing to brave the cold. A magical night spent in the North Cascades surrounded by snow covered peaks, the most stunning sunrise and only 4 miles roundtrip. Hard to beat the payoff of this hike for the amazing views of Mt. Baker, Shuksan and more.

What happens when a watercolorist, photographer and live music in the mountains combine? Some pure mountain magic and joy. The Musical Mountaineers played their ode to the mountains while Drawn to High Places translated the scene with paintbrush in hand.

Mt. Tahoma Trail’s Association is a hut-to-hut system in Washington near Mt. Rainier National Park. For $15 a night you can claim a spot at a backcountry hut or yurt with all the amenities you could need. Grab some friends and hike to the hut!

Gothic Basin is an extremely popular summer day hiking and backpacking destination. Going in the winter will cut the crowds down a lot and if you decide to spend the night, you will have very few neighbors. Alpine lakes, jagged rocky peaks and a fresh blanket of snow were a few of the highlight of this trip.

A popular summer hike less than two hours from Seattle, can offer winter solace for those adventurous enough. Stay the night nestled in snow and magical sunsets and sunrises.

A relatively easy backpacking, or day hiking adventure takes you into the Mt. Baker Wilderness. Dog friendly, a volcano, impressive surrounding peaks and magical tarns. What’s not to love? Perfect any time of the hiking season, but is known for its vibrant fall colors.

If you are looking for a larch march, this is it. Stunning golden larches in plenty, 360 degree mountain peak views. This hike has the option of a day hike or plenty of spaces to stay the night. Choose your own adventure!

A glimpse of what the best of the PNW has to offer. A volcano, jagged peaks, a fire lookout, alpine lakes and more. If this isn’t on your list, it needs to be.