A Weekend in Trip Reports: 7 Backpacking Trips From Around the State

Members of the WTA community made the most of the holiday weekend, choosing to sleep outside by way of celebrating the unofficial start of summer — despite some dubious weather forecasts. By the looks of things, snow is rapidly melting out at some higher elevations, allowing for stunning wildflower displays, mountain vistas and plenty of photo ops. 

With quickly changing conditions comes the need for summer hiking trail smarts, and a reminder of how to fend off those sometimes pesky mosquitoes. 

Let these recently submitted trip reports inspire you to hit the trails and maybe even sleep under the stars. And if you do get out? We want to hear about it!

Chatter Creek, Icicle Ridge, Central Cascades

Trip reporter: D. Baxter 

Snow is melting, the flowers are on their way and the views are sublime.

Holden Lake, Holden to Hart Lake, Lyman Lakes, Cloudy Pass to Holden, Image Lake via Miner’s Ridge & Suiattle River Trail, Central Cascades

Trip reporter: Jessi Loerch

Sometimes it’s about the journey and the destination. 

Marmot Pass, Olympic Peninsula

Trip reporter: Charlie-Ann

A misty mountain ramble can make wildflowers seem all the more spectacular. 

Kettle Crest North, Eastern Washington

Trip reporter: Renegade Beef

It’s often worth it to take the path less traveled … just pay attention to those switchbacks. 

Killen Creek to High Camp, South Cascades

Trip reporter: Todahills

Kids are ingenious when it comes to having fun outdoors — even when mosquitoes are biting. 

Hannegan Pass and Peak, North Cascades

Trip reporter: cheesevjam

If coffee in the mountains is your birthday wish, you can’t let a little rain deter you. 

Pinnacle Peak, Mount Rainier

Trip reporter: Jonathon Foster 

The park is awake, and awash in wildflowers.