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Darrington, Washington

Looking for the best backpacking in Darrington? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Darrington. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Darrington

  • Skykomish, Washington

    Hike to Josephine Lake

    10.4 mi / 2100 ft gain
    Starting in the parking lot at Steven's Pass Ski Resort (roughly 4,062 feet in elevation; I recommend parking in E lot), start by walking between the two main lodges towards the ski lifts. You'll see a trail on the northwest-facing slope that switches back across the mountain - this is the PCT. O...
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  • Skykomish, Washington

    Jade Lake via the Necklace Valley Trail

    15.26 mi / 3323 ft gain
    This hike is definitely one of our all-time favorites. The first time we did it was in August 2015 and due to the exceptionally mild winter that year, fall was already beginning to show its colors. We wanted to see it again in the springtime when everything was in bloom, so we decided to go again...
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  • Skykomish, Washington

    Tank Lakes via Necklace Valley

    18.94 mi / 4721 ft gain
    Tucked high in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Tank Lakes has everything you could ask for out of a Washington hike. You start low at the Necklace Valley trailhead just south of Skykomish along Highway 2 and meander five miles to a giant log crossing of the East Fork Foss River. From h...
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  • Skykomish, Washington

    Pacific Crest Trail's Section J: Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass

    70.27 mi / 14911 ft gain
    This is the Section J hike of the Pacific Crest Trail between Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass. It is about a 70 mile hike, and I started near Stevens Pass heading South. The PCT starts at the Stevens Pass Ski Resort off of Highway 2. The trail starts out under chairlifts and through ski runs – I chos...
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  • Winthrop, Washington

    Heather-Maple Pass Loop

    5.0
    7.5 mi / 2185 ft gain
    Note to any hikers taking on this trail, this is a non-repeating trail meaning it goes in a big loop. The trailhead has 2 trail points of entrance. To the right (the pathway that is not paved) is the counter-clockwise route, a little less steep and more scenic at the start. To the left, the trail...
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  • Pacific Crest Trail, Washington

    Summit Black Peak

    5.0
    10 mi / 4400 ft gain
    Starting at the Heather-Maple Pass Loop Trailhead, jump onto the trail that will take you counter-clockwise along the loop. After about 1.25 miles, you will come to a split in the trail, take the right path and continue for just under a mile until you reach Heather Pass. Off to the right there ar...
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  • Chelan County, Washington

    Backpack at Wing Lake (North Cascades)

    5.0
    12 mi / 2652 ft gain
    From Rainy Pass, take the trail to Ann Lake (pictured with island and wildflowers). About 1 mile into hike, you'll reach a fork. Take the right trail to Heather Pass. From Heather Pass, take boot trail through talus field to Lewis Lake (pictured with green water and drift wood in foreground). Onc...
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  • Chelan County, Washington

    Camp at Snowy Lakes

    22 mi / 3550 ft gain
    Take Hwy 20 to Rainy Pass, and park at the trailhead on the east side of the highway. Begin on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), heading towards Cutthroat Pass.The trail winds it's way towards the pass at a gentle grade over 5 miles. As the trail ascends, you'll leave the forest behind as you enter ...
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  • Rainy Pass, Washington

    Black Peak's South Ridge

    3.0
    7 mi / 4700 ft gain
    Starting at Rainy Pass trailhead, you'll proceed to skirt high above Lake Ann on a marvelously maintained trail. Without realizing you're about to arrive at a pass, you'll come to Heather Pass, where you'll need to take a right. Continuing straight is also a popular hike, especially during peak l...
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  • Deming, Washington

    Hike Skyline Divide

    5.0
    9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    If driving 13 miles on a forest road, and hiking miles of switchbacks doesn't bother you, your in for one of the most exquisite views that you can get from hiking in Washington state.Just a mile outside of the town of Glacier, turn onto Forest Road 37 and follow it up switchbacks for the majority...
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  • Skykomish, Washington

    Hike to Big Heart Lake

    5.0
    14.6 mi / 3300 ft gain
    This hike takes you past 5 lakes and a few different waterfalls, so if you don't wish to push on to Big Heart, you won't be disappointed! Start at the West Fork Foss River Trailhead, about 2.6 miles past the Necklace Valley Trailhead. The first mile is relatively flat. Once you reach the bridge t...
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  • Bow, Washington

    North Butte via Chuckanut Trail

    1.0
    7.71 mi / 2047 ft gain
    The HikeThe hike there isn't short, has several steep sections, and ends at the top of the mountain. There are cliff warnings at the top, so be careful as you explore the view! The steepest portions are at the beginning and right at the end. The trail is very well maintained (because it is so pop...
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  • Skykomish, Washington

    Hike to Lake Deer via Lake Dorothy Trailhead

    12.6 mi / 1600 ft gain
    Start off by traveling along Highway 2 and turning towards the Money Creek Campground. Turn off onto Forest Road 6410 and follow that to the Lake Dorothy Trailhead (about 9 miles).This first section of the hike can be pretty crowded on a nice summer day as the trail is very family friendly and it...
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  • Skykomish, Washington

    Backpack from Dorothy Lake Trailhead to Snoqualmie Lake

    18 mi / 1900 ft gain
    The trail was not crowded although when we got to Snoqualmie Lake there were only a couple camping spots left. The trail up from Dorothy is not too hard at all. The weather was perfect. After passing Dorothy you have to ford a creek where the bridge has been washed out. We went through it on foot...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Yellow Aster Butte and Tomyhoi Peak

    4.7
    13.4 mi / 4902 ft gain
    The best way to describe the location is due east of Bellingham. After driving through gorgeous roads to reach Twin Lakes Road (fire service road 3065), you are treated to about a 4-mile drive up to the trailhead for Yellow Aster Butte (8.3 miles RT with 2850' of gain) and Tomyhoi Peak. The drive...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Yellow Aster Butte

    9.08 mi / 3258 ft gain
    Yellow Aster Butte has to be one of the most visually rewarding hikes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for the effort required to get there. Abundant with lush, rolling mountain meadows, hikers can be treated to an abundance of wildflowers, heather fields, and berry patches with dreamy...
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