Backpacking can be intimidating. You have to haul all your food, water and shelter into the backcountry and sleep there — but you are self-sufficient! You are carrying everything you need on your back. How cool is that? Plus, being in the backcountry means more peace and quiet.
Start small — a single night in a not-too-remote location with a manageable amount of miles and elevation gain. It’s important to remember that even if you’re used to long or grueling day treks, adding 25 to 35 pounds makes hiking a lot more challenging.
Here are five great beginner backpacking trips that offer stunning scenery without venturing deep into the wilderness. As always, bring the right gear and research trail conditions before you go.
Fish Hatchery Road, Neah Bay (Olympic Coast)
Round-trip distance: 8 miles
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Pass: Makah Recreation Pass and Olympic National Park wilderness permit
Beach backpacks are great for beginners because the elevation gain is minimal. Shi Shi Beach is no exception. Just a 2-mile, relatively flat hike over bridges and boardwalks will lead you to the beach, though there are steep switchbacks right before reaching it. Set up your tent anywhere in the next 2 miles (both on the beach or in campsites in the trees) and make your way toward Point of Arches, a stunning set of sea stacks and the unofficial end of this hike. Spend your day exploring tide pools and your evening around a driftwood fire. Always be sure to have a waterproof layer — you might wake up to fog and mist — and you are required to bring a bear canister on this hike.
Forest Service Road 25, near Eldon (Olympic Peninsula)
Round-trip distance: 7.2 miles
Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
The hike to Lena Lake makes a great first backpacking trip for experienced day hikers; if the hike up to your campsite at the lake doesn’t wear you out, set up camp, leave your packs behind, and keep hiking! But first, to get to the lake, you will pass through second-growth and old-growth forest, over lovely bridges, and by lots of water. There are 28 campsites near the lake; stay 100 feet away from the shore. This is a beautiful final destination, but intrepid hikers can add 3 more miles (and 2,600 feet of elevation) to get to Upper Lena Lake. Surrounded by meadows and peaks, these lakes are an oasis.
Forest Service Road 9030, near Snoqualmie Pass (Interstate 90)
Round-trip distance: 6.2 miles
Elevation gain: 1,220 feet
Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
This is the perfect intro to backpacking for Seattleites, because in less than an hour, you will be able to reach the trailhead. The less-than-2-mile hike to the first lake, Talapus, is gently graded on a wide trail. You can stop here if you’ve had enough or press on to Olallie. The trail becomes a bit steeper but still comfortable. Spend the day and night leisurely at camp, and in the morning, the lakefront sites offer lovely views to wake up to (and a perfect jumping-off point if the weather is warm enough for a swim).
Forest Service Road 6700, near Wellington (Highway 2)
Round-trip distance: 7 miles
Elevation gain: 1,500 feet
Pass: none
Lake Valhalla offers a comfortable introduction to backpacking with the option to stretch your legs farther. The start of the hike features most of the elevation gain, as you switchback through trees, but the undulating grade of this trail is manageable. Make note of the trail leading up to Mount McCausland — if you have enough energy, it’s worth the extra mile or so to see sweeping views. At Lake Valhalla, you’ll find established campsites overlooking the water, making this a perfect spot for the night.
Forest Service Road 1107, Concrete (Highway 20)
Round-trip distance: 6 miles
Elevation gain: 1,100 feet
Pass required: Northwest Forest Pass
Anderson and Watson Lakes lets you choose your own backpacking adventure. Feeling tired? Camp at Lower Anderson Lake. Want to press on? Head to Watson Lakes. Either way, you won’t be let down. At the beginning of this hike, you’ll walk on boardwalks through meadows as well as through old-growth. After a couple of miles, you’ll have the option of heading down to Lower Anderson Lake and settling there, or continuing on to Watson Lakes. Both are great options, and beautiful, too, surrounded by meadows and rocky walls.