Gold Bar, Washington
Looking for the best backpacking in Gold Bar? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Gold Bar. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Gold Bar
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Skykomish, Washington
Jade Lake via the Necklace Valley Trail
15.26 mi / 3323 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Skykomish, Washington
Tank Lakes via Necklace Valley
18.94 mi / 4721 ft gainTucked 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...Read more -
Arlington, Washington
Three Fingers Lookout
4.514.31 mi / 4357 ft gainApproximately 11 miles east of Granite Falls, WA, on the Mt. Loop Highway, turn onto Forest Service road 41 and follow this road for 18.0 miles to the trailhead. The road is quite rough and it is recommended you have a four-wheel drive vehicle. There is a washout about halfway along the road, an...Read more -
Darrington, Washington
Backpack to Glacier Peak Meadows and White Chuck Glacier
34 mi / 9000 ft gainStarting at the North Fork Sauk Trailhead (NFD 49) off the Mountain Loop Highway, you will travel 5.3 miles and gain a leisurely 1,100 feet of elevation until you reach Mackinaw Shelter. This is where the real work begins. The trail gains a calf-burning 3,000 feet in the next 2.9 miles until you ...Read more -
Darrington, Washington
Scramble Mount Pugh
5.011 mi / 5300 ft gainNot for the faint of heart - or those with a fear of heights - Mount Pugh offers some of the most rewarding summit views in the Cascades.Located off the northern end of the Mountain Loop Highway, this is an easy day trip from anywhere in the Puget Sound area. Though finding the trailhead can be t...Read more -
Skykomish, Washington
Hike to Big Heart Lake
5.014.6 mi / 3300 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Darrington, Washington
Climb Sloan Peak via the Corkscrew Route
5.014 mi / 6035 ft gainYou'll start the approach to this climb at the Sloan Peak trailhead at 1800ft elevation. Moving south along the trail, you'll begin with a traverse through some marshlands and several water crossings along the Sauk River and its tributaries for the first mile and before gaining any elevation. It ...Read more -
Skykomish, Washington
Pacific Crest Trail's Section J: Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass
70.27 mi / 14911 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Leavenworth, Washington
Skyline Lake Trail
4.52.41 mi / 1020 ft gainThis 2.5 mile roundtrip hike with a little over 1,000 feet of elevation gain is a great winter trip for beginners. The trail is typically well-worn, making it easy to stay on target even in some of the most difficult conditions. If you have route finding and off trail skills, you can venture ou...Read more -
Skykomish, Washington
Hike to Josephine Lake
10.4 mi / 2100 ft gainStarting 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...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Bandera Mountain
4.47.8 mi / 3176 ft gainThis hike has unreal views of Mount Rainier. On a great clear spring day, the mountain is out. It's right in your face. It's incredible. If you tackle this hike in the spring the bear grass and wildflowers are alive and blooming towards the top and it makes for some fantastic picture-taking. Once...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Mason Lake via Ira Spring
4.26.88 mi / 2316 ft gainIra Spring trail offers up great views prior to reaching the ridge that you go over to reach Mason Lake. The lake itself is an amazing sight—beautiful water with rocks and trees along the shores, making this 6.5-mile roundtrip hike well worth it. The trail to Mason Lake, the Ira Spring trail, pr...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Camp and Trail Run from Rainbow Lake
I backpacked to and setup basecamp at Rainbow Lake and then I ran over to Island Lake. After enjoying the peace and quite I ran up to the top of Bandera Mountain and enjoyed the views. Then, I ran back to basecamp and spent the night. The following morning I ran up to the top of Mount Defiance a...Read more -
Leavenworth, Washington
Hike to the Summit of Mt. McCausland
8 mi / 1800 ft gainBegin by driving a fairly smooth Forest Road 6700 for 2.5 miles to the Smith Brook Trailhead and park in the space on the left. Much of the signage has been taken down along the trail, so it may be helpful to bring some written directions with you. The hike begins by keeping close to the road, me...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Snow Lake
4.06.24 mi / 1699 ft gainThis hike gets crowded fairly quickly so get there early. The parking lot is very large so parking is not really a problem. There are bathrooms at the very beginning of the trail so I highly suggest using them. However at the top there is also a designated restroom area. Starting at 2600 ft, thi...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Gem Lake, WA
4.710.4 mi / 2923 ft gainThis hike shares the trailhead for Snow lake at the Alpental Ski area in Snoqualmie Pass. You'll start out with a great warm up, walking through dense green underbrush and a brief wooded area. Before too long the trail increases in inclination slightly and begins to offer up some small rocky sect...Read more