A Christmas offer two good to be true!

Hey, I know how tough this economy has been lately. That's why I have teamed up with outdoor photographer Don Geyer to offer you this incredible two-for-one deal this Christmas season. For a limited time only, you can order my Backpacking Washington and get absolutely free, a copy of Don's Mount Rainier. Yep! Two books for the price of one!

Want more details on the books?

Mount Rainier is a collection of Don's favorite photographs taken throughout Mount Rainier National Park, and includes his hints and recommendations about where, when and how to achieve successful photographic images of the park. He breaks his recommendations down by season, and even by weather. There is always something to photograph in the park! If you're not a photographer, you can simply enjoy the artistic images and the moods and emotions they elicit as you take a visual tour through this beautiful national park.


  Backpacking Washington is the most comprehensive backpacking guide to Washington State detailing 70 routes from 14 to 45 miles, from the lush Olympic Peninsula to the sun-kissed Blue Mountains of Eastern Washington.

This offer is for a limited time only! Order now to assure delivery before Christmas! Order Here!

Off to the Printers!

I hope you are anticipating as much as I am the release of my 8th book, Backpacking Washington. Of all the books that I have worked on over the years, this one was the most demanding. Requiring over 1,500 miles of hiking research statewide and taking me three summers and three falls to complete, it was not without its challenges (other than the 1,500 miles!). I had to deal with some weather issues-late snow packs and a very wet 2010-and on top of that I got caught in a forest fire in the summer of 2009 that had me wondering if I would finish the book at all! It was an adventure to say the least. The book should be available by the end of the month-and you can pre-order it now from Amazon for only $12.89. It includes 70 trips from the Olympic Coast to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. I look forward to sharing tales of these trails with you at the numerous book talks that I have (and am still) lining up. The first one will be at the REI in Alderwood (Lynnwood, WA) on June 1st. Register early, as space is limited. And my publicist is working really hard right now so that we may even have a launch party or two in the works. Wouldn't that be fun? Looking forward to seeing you at one of my upcoming events and thanks for all of your support and encouragement over the years.

(photo-Me trekking across Devils Dome in the Pasayten Wilderness-photo by Ted Evans)

Black and White

and soon to be read all over!

Yesterday marked a miner triumph for me. With the success of my hike into Olympic National Park's Flapjack Lakes and Black and White Lakes, I finally completed research for my upcoming Backpacking Washington Book. The research included 70 hikes that I chose to represent some of the best backpacking/multi-day destinations within the state. Yep-the state-as in the entire state. From the Olympic coast to NE Washington's Salmo-Priest Wilderness and Southeast Washington's Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness-that's a lot of ground to cover. And the hikes ranging from 17 to 50 miles with most in the 20-30 mile range was a lot of ground to cover too. I haven't yet tallied how many miles I have hiked total researching the book-nor the total miles I have hiked this year researching three books-I'll have those numbers soon. But all I can say is the the Backpacking Book is definitely the most challenging project and most demanding project that I have ever worked on. It is also one of the most satisfying, bringing me to amazing places and keeping me in shape. I am now finishing up the manuscript- 67,000 words currently penned, about 13,000 more to go. I look forward to this book's release and I look forward to sharing it with you. In the meantime-I welcome the autumn rains and a needed refrain from long distance hiking!

Busy as a Beaver

and learning a few things in the process!

This week's adventure was yet another research destination for my upcoming Backpacking Washington book. And like other recent destinations, was yet another all-out grind as I condensed what is normally a 3 or 4 day trip into two. Yep, another one of those-37 miles in two days type of adventures. But this trip was also different in that through my Facebook Guidebook Author Site ; I put out a request for a hiking partner to do the the Little Beaver-Big Beaver Loop in the North Cascades National Park. My recruit had to meet the following requirements:

1. Be willing to take off immediately (the day after request was made)


2. Be willing to share cost of the Ross Lake water taxi, not exactly a cheap fare


3. Be able to hike 37 miles in 2 days in which the second one was 21 miles


4. Be adventurous enough to hike with someone they really don't know


5. And be able to put up with me for such a time and distance!

Well, one person came through-Ted Evans. An East Coast transplant with a Sicilian nonna, I had a feeling we were going to get along-and this guy is a professional photographer too which would make this hike even more fun. And as always, I love spending time in the outdoors with different folks to perhaps learn a thing or two myself. I may have penned 8 books on the outdoors, but I have a lot to learn too. And on this trip into the wilds of the North Cascades National Park, this is what I learned.

1. Terry cloth light-weight towels make great water (ie rain) vanquishers for your tent fly when you need to pack them up.

2. The canisters for the pocket rocket contain a lot less fuel than I expected.

3. It is amazing how you can make a fire in the most wettest conditions when the need for a fresh cup of coffee is life or death.

4. Starbucks' Via rules. It tastes even better backpacking. Its tastes heavenly made from water boiled on the a makeshift fire that saved me from serious caffeine withdrawals and the prospect of hiking 21 miles decaffeinated!

5. Take chances-I found a great new hiking partner!

Okay, have fun out there-carry lots of fuel and perhaps some day I'll be drinking coffee in the backcountry with you too!

Around the Chiwaukums in a Day

This past Wednesday marked yet another 20-plus mile day hike I have engaged in this season. In fact, at 24.5 miles--it was my longest day hike of the year. Why so many miles in so little time? Why, I must admit that I do enjoy the challenge and I am doing all that I can to stay fit as I slide into a major milestone next year (Gasp, will I really be turning 50!?)--but the main reason for the serious hiking is that my Backpacking Washington book deadline is moving in on me! A two year project encompassing 70 hikes ranging from 15 to 50 miles (most in the 18 to 35 mile range) from around the state--this project has been my toughest and most challenging writing project ever. It would have been hard enough completing this work just alone on the magnitude of the hikes and the geographical range of them-but then add in all of the foreseen and unforeseen obstacles that can slow me down-actually frustrate my progress. Things like incessant rains, lingering snow packs, washed out roads, forest fires, unmaintained trails, other nagging deadlines and just plain being wiped out!! So here I am with 5 weeks left to finish Backpacking Washington. I have 61 of the 70 hikes completed and 50,000 words of the 75,000 word manuscript written. This all coming off of just completing (and now editing) my Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge Book. It has been one heck of a hiking season for me-and it will indeed be a record year for mileage. Of course there is no resting once this project is complete, for Day Hiking Eastern Washington is due next summer! By the time I turn 50 next spring I should be in pretty damn good shape-or totally wiped out!!! Hope you enjoy the books when they come out-I've worked hard to get them to you!

(photo- 24.5 miles is easier to handle with hiking partners, Don and Barbara-two hiking machines!)

The most beautiful place on earth!

Okay, well that may be a slight exaggeration-or then again maybe not! Ever since I first landed my hands on Spring and Manning's 100 Hikes in the Glacier Peak Wilderness guidebook back in the fall of 1989-just a few months after moving here from the east-and caught my first look at Image Lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness-I wanted to see it and experience it firsthand! It took 21 years and an impending deadline on my Backpacking Washington book to finally get me there-And with the Suiattle River Road washed out since 2003, I came to this magical backcountry locale via Spider Gap and the Lyman Lakes. With friends Don and Chris Hanson of Scottish Lakes High Country Camps fame-we entered the lake basin in early afternoon. Set up camp and caught our first glimpse of the famous Glacier Peak rising behind Image Lake scene in early afternoon. Returned with a half platypus of red wine for the evening show. But it was the early morning show that completely WOWed us! In all of my years hiking the Northwest -over 21-and all my miles hiking the Northwest -approaching 14,000 miles now-Image Lake is one of the most beautiful, if not most beautiful place in the state. An absolute must hike-bucket list place for all backpackers. Surreal-ethereal-mystical, magical, spiritual, celestial-pure heaven on earth. Don't miss it. This show is for a limited time only-for once Glacier Peak decides to blow-well Image Lake may very well end up looking like one of the Mount Margaret Backcountry lakes of St Helens.

Caught with my zipper down at the Ice Lakes!

Okay, I got your attention with my headline-no, nothing like that! The zipper I am talking about is on my tent-and the down part is- as in down-not working-kaput! The culprit? Pumice dust! I just recently spent an am zing night camping at the Lower Ice Lake in the Entiat Mountains. Set up camp on a pumice flat above the lake-minimal impact on the fragile environment-but blowing gusts that evening had a big impact on my Northface tadpole tent. The fine pumice dust that blew into my tent-and all over my gear jammed and screwed up the zippers on my tent! Sigh-so now it is out of commission as I head to Image Lake this week-good thing I have another tent for this excursion-although it is much bigger tent-and while I wait to have my tadpole tent repaired-I am busy trying to dry my down sleeping bag-what a process drying those wet clumps of down-it is no wonder ducks and geese don't sink-I need them to preen my bag! Okay-back to writing about the Ice Lakes-a featured hike in my upcoming backpacking book!

Quietest Stretch of the Wonderland Trail

A Golden Opportunity for Solitude

Mount Rainier's 93-mile Wonderland Trail is definitely one of the most beautiful and loved hiking trails in the country. Folks from all over the county take to all or sections of it each year. And more than a few folks who live within the shadows of the "Mountain" have hiked the entire trail either section by section or in one glorious outing. I have hiked a good portion of the trail with just bits and pieces left unexplored; particularly near Stevens Canyon yet to be hiked. My favorite sections of the trail are along the west side of the mountain. For not only do you pass some spectacular backcountry here, but also it is the only place on the trail away from roads and therefore away from the throngs of day hikers that often crowd the trails in places. True, that Summerland and Indian Bar are amazing places and claimed to be the best parts of the trail by so many--but they are also downright crowded. Try a hike to the Golden Lakes and Sunset Park. While not nearly as dramatic as Summerland-you will be amazed at the peacefulness of the area. I recently hiked to the Golden Lakes on a gorgeous July day and passed not a single soul from the lakes to Mowich Camp; a section of trail over 6 miles long. You won't have that experience on other places of the Wonderland Trail. What's you favorite section and why?

(Photo-Silence is golden at the Sunset park Ranger Cabin)

Wilderness Through the Backdoor

So, there I was standing on a gorgeous remote Olympic Beach after trudging for over 10 miles on slippery rocks and soft sand-waiting out tides-gingerly skirting around rocky headland cliffs-and now I had a beautiful wilderness beach all to myself! Well, not exactly- Three people were camped on the beach and they were quite comfy-no scrapes, aching backs, nor tired legs after a hard day hike. And then suddenly a couple appeared on the beach fresh as the morning dew-no sweat-no signs of struggle -no problems getting to the beach that I toiled all day to get to. You see, there is a secret trail (actually not so secret thanks now to the Internet) that allowed these folks access to this wilderness beach by driving a maze of logging roads then following a bootleg path a mere mile (if that) to this special place. I felt robbed. Now, don't get me wrong-the folks I met that evening at the beach were nice folks-and some of them have gotten to the point that they can no longer backpack great distances-so getting to this beach would have been impossible for them the way I did it. But, still I felt that part of the allure and attraction of hiking the Olympic Coast is the wilderness aspect and that you needed to actually work to get to it. There are plenty of nice beaches in the Kalaloch section of the national park that are easily accessible to anyone. And while these folks I shared the beach with that evening were wonderful and the types of people you'd be glad to share a campsite and nature with-I know that judging by spent beer cans on the beach, that the types of folks you don't' want on a wilderness beach make their way here too-and surely they wouldn't if it involved actually hiking to this spot. Now, I have friends in Forks who cherish these secret trails and they take care of the land and this allows them a quick access to the natural beauty that they live so near. I would not want to deprive them of their simple getaways. But, then again the Olympic National Park is a wilderness coast that is one-of-a-kind and I know that all good things in life are worth working for. Can we have it both ways? What are your experiences here? Your thoughts?

Too much snow in the Mountains?

Head to the Coast-It's a Shore Bet!

This spring's cold and wet weather may finally be making an exit, but it'll still be some time until many my favorite high country trails will be snow free and accessible. Of course, this doesn't exactly help me out with my impending deadline on my Backpacking Book. I still have 22 trips to research and I need all the time I can get. The snowy hills however did force me to head to the coast to research the wilderness beaches of Olympic National Park. I have long wanted to hike the entire coastline and after two consecutive trips, I have pretty much hiked all of the Olympic beaches now from the Queets River to Shi Shi. Which beach is the prettiest? Hard to say, they're are so many special and gorgeous places along the entire coast. And which section of the coast is the most difficult to hike-Again hard to say because each section has its challenges, be it rounding headlands, traveling over slippery rock, across deep sands, fording creeks, or negotiating sand ladders up and over steep bluffs. I'll have all the details in the new book. In the meanwhile, if you are itching to get out and do some snow free hiking, my Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula book has plenty of good day hikes to Olympic Beaches--and to some pretty nice beaches along the southwest corner of the state, too. Check them out-and then perhaps in a few weeks I'll see you in the high country!

(photo-evening at Toleak Point)

Pratt River Valley inches closer toward Wilderness

This just in from the Washington Wilderness Coalition:

IN THE NEWS: Bill Has Successful Hearing in the House and Senate
On November 5th, legislation to protect the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valleys moved a step closer toward permanent protection after clearing a subcommittee hearing in the House Natural Resources Committee. The welcome news comes after a Senate subcommittee hearing last week. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (S. 721/ H.R.1769) would expand the existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness by over 22,000 acres to include important lower-elevation lands and designate two rivers of great importance to the surrounding ecosystem as Wild and Scenic. WWC has played a leadership role in a local coalition that has worked over the last two years with many local stakeholders, including local businesses, elected officials, religious leaders, and recreation and conservation organizations.

Good news indeed and one that the bill's sponsors, Senator Patty Murry and Congressman Dave Reichert can both take with them to their reelection campaigns next year-and quite possibly (Dave, are you running for the senate next fall?)in a campaign against each other. In any case, thanks for working to increase our wilderness base. My upcoming Backpacking Washington book has a chapter on Pratt and Kaleetan Lakes and the area surrounding them that is slated to be part of the new wilderness addition.

(Photo: looking down the Pratt River Valley out to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley)

Washington's Canyon Country

The view from 6,379-foot Diamond Peak, the highest summit in Garfield County, Washington's least populated county ( population 2,060) is unlike any other in the state. It's a view of deep canyons and barren hillsides and huge gorges cuts by snaking rivers. Here in the extreme corner of southeastern Washington is the Evergreen State's Canyon Country. And aside from deeply-cut canyons, you'll also be granted views of snow-capped jagged peaks in Oregon (the Wallowas with summits reaching nearly 10,000 feet) and cloud-piercing peaks across Hells Canyon in Idaho. The Blue Mountains along with the Kettle River Range in northeastern Washington are perhaps the loneliest and least explored mountain ranges in Washington. They're two of my favorite places and I have lined up four fantastic adventurous hikes in my upcoming Backpacking Book to help entice you to make the long trip to explore these peaks. And while a good portion of the Blues are protected within wilderness, the Kettle River Range still remains unprotected. This guidebook author would love to someday write about a Kettle Crest Wilderness when describing the area. Perhaps the reality of an expansive Eastern Washington wilderness system may come soon--but only if you are willing to let your elected representatives know that it is something that you want to see happen-something that you believe in-and something that you are committed to achieving.

Watch Out Ceder Butt!

Here comes Oreon Butte!

Oreon? Was this Butte named for a favorite cream-filled cookie? A constellation? Oreon the hunter! Nope! Just another topographical typographic error! Did Joe Biden and George W. Bush survey the Blue Mountains? Nope-but whoever did, did indeed work for the federal government and they literally left their mark here on West Butte in the Blue Mountains of southeast Washington by leaving this botched benchmark. West Butte at 6,292-feet is the fourth highest summit in Washington's Blues. It commands an excellent view of Oregon Butte which this geodetic marker is pointing to and referring to), the highest summit in Washington's Blues. But almost as interesting as the views from West Butte is this misspelled marker. And just like Cedar Butte's famous geodetic marker, "Ceder Butt," Oreon goes down in the geographic gaffe hall of fame! Are there more out there? I want to know about them-possibly they'll make fodder for my next book, "Day Hiking Wahington!" And if you are interested in hiking to West Butte, I refer you to the excellent guidebook by James P. Johnson, "50 Hikes for Eastern Washington's Highest Mountains," and of course my upcoming Backpacking Washington book (due spring 2011).

Misery Loves Company

or rather I love Misery!

I love the Blues and I love Misery! Let me explain. That is, I love the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and the Mount Misery Trail which traverses them. I just got back from a week long trip in eastern Washington which had me pitching my books in Kennewick, Spokane, and Chelan and hitting the trail doing research for my Backpacking Book in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. These two federally prtoected wilderness areas are among only three wilderness areas (the other being Juniper Dunes) in all of eastern Washington. But both the Salmo-Priest and the Wenaha-Tucannon are among the wildest of all of our wildernesses. I spent 19 miles hiking the Mount Misery highline one day in which I only encountered a couple of hunters setting up their camps for opening day. On my drive out, just past the trailhead I watched in amazement a cougar trot across the road! It was the first time in my 20 years hiking the trails of Washington state that I finally witnessed one of these large and impressive beasties. Glad I saw it from behind the wheel than in front of my boots! I'm a cat person, but who knows how the cougar feels about it. And I'm a UW grad too, and I was deep in cougar country so it was best to lay low! Seriously though, if you haven't hiked yet the mile high ridges and crusied above the deep canyons of the Blues-a truly unique section of our state -you are in for a real treat. But avoid this place in the height and heat of summer. Fall is best! But Fall is when this area sees the most human visitation-the hunting here is legendary. Wear your orange and hike away the blues today!

Lovely Lena

(Upper not lower!)

Those of you within my hiking circles know that I don't think too highly of Lena Lake and just can't figure why it is so darn popular-other than the fact that it is easy to drive to and easy to hike to-but then again so is Talapus Lake and you won't catch me hiking there either. I definitely go the extra mile both driving and hiking most of the times so that I can have a decent backcountry experience. Now, don't get me wrong-I never mind sharing my favorite backcountry haunts with fellow hikers-it is not the numbers of hikers out there that usually concerns me-it is the types of people that are out there.

Places like Talapus, Merritt, Barclay, and Lena attract too many yahoos and less-than-enlightened "hikers" who often bring with them trash, noise and unruly dogs-and often leave a degraded environment on their way out. So if you want to see what serious erosion looks like from cutting switchbacks-and how many beer cans, candy wrappers, and cigarette butts as well as piles of doggie-doo you can find on a hike-consider a hike to Lena Lake. But if you want to experience a beautiful well-visited lake without the yahoos-head to Upper Lena Lake. This place is gorgeous-especially right now during our Indian Summer. The hike will cost you-it is no easy stroll like the one to Lena. The trail to Upper Lena is 7.8 miles long (don't believe old descriptions that have it less) and will require nearly 4,000 vertical feet of climbing. Plus-much of the climb is straight out of the Appalachians-that is, it is rocky, rooty and straight up! It's not an easy hike-but oh so well worth it. And once you get there-plan on spending some time for there are lots of explorations you can do-like the easy hike to Milk Lake-or a more involved cross-country route to Scout Lake-or a fun scramble to Mount Lena. You want more info on this place? It's a featured hike in my upcoming Backpacking Book. Enjoy the rest of Indian Summer, the winter rains are coming soon enough.

102.9 Miles

What a week!

I am exhausted today. Why? I had a record week of researching (hiking) these past seven days. I just had to take advantage of the amazing week of weather we just had to get as much trail research in for my upcoming backpacking and Columbia Gorge books. My brother Doug flew in from New Hampshire and he along with my wife Heather and I headed to Trout Lake for the week to set up base. We stayed at the lovely Serenity's cabins and then headed out on a hiking frenzy:

Sept. 20 Devils Garden, Mount Adams Highline-via Muddy Meadows Trail, Mount Adams Wilderness-Gifford Pinchot National Forest 20.1 miles

Sept. 21 Wahtum Lake-Chinidere Mountain-Mud Lake-Tomlike Mountain-Anthill Trail Loop Mark Hatfield Wilderness, Mount Hood National Forest 9.7 miles

Sept. 22 Blue Lake-Deep Lake-Lemei Lake-Tombstone Lake-Elk Lake-Clear Lake- Indian Heaven-PCT-Cultus Creek Loop – Indian Heaven Wilderness- Gifford Pinchot National Forest 18.3 miles

Sept. 23 Observation Mountain Trail-Sister Rocks-Observation Mountain-Big Hollow Trail to Dry Creek Trail-Trapper Creek Wilderness- Gifford Pinchot National Forest 13.1 miles

Sept. 24 Wahtum Lake-PCT to Indian Mountain-Hatfield Wilderness, Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon 9.5 miles

Sept. 25 Dog Mountain-new trail to old trail to summit to new trail to old trail back down the Augsperger Mountain Trail, Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area 8.5 miles

On September 26, Doug flew back to NH and Heather and I retreated to Skagit County. Realizing that the weather was about to change soon-I decided to get up at 4:30 am on Sunday and sneak in one more, albeit long hike-and it was long-almost 24 miles-my longest day hike of the year-should be good training for my upcoming marathon. Yesterday's hike was a classic-

North Fork Skykomish Trail to Pass Creek Trail to PCT to Dishpan Gap to North Fork Skykomish Trail-Wild Sky and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, 23.7 miles

My grand total for the week (I did have one day off) was 102.9 miles. And for the month? Yet another record for me with 221.2 miles! I believe this year will be a record too-boy, I'm going to need a sedentary vacation!

(photo-crimson trail lining PCT near Skykomish Mountain, Henry M. Jackson Wilderness 09/27/09)

Mount Adams

Second to None

Washington's second highest summit is by no means second rate. While Mount Rainier is certainly Washington state's "mountain," 12,276-foot Adams deserves more respect than being the runner-up. Adams is bulkier than Rainier making it a more massive mountain. And being located farther east than Rainier and Washington's other snow cone volcanoes, the terrain here is much drier. Lacking are the lush wildflower meadows that make Rainier famous. But Adams has its own mystique-pumice flats and alpine tundra and massive lava flows. This week I was able to make it to Devils Garden, the highest point on the Mount Adams Highline Trail. Here at the border between the Mount Adams Wilderness and the Yakima Nation you can stare out at an expanse of golden eastern Washington hills as well as glacial draped Rainier, the jagged Goat Rocks and the serrated spine of the Dark Divide. And mountain goats! My hiking partners, wife Heather and brother Doug, and I were able to watch over 40 goats ply the rugged alpine flats between the Lyman and Wilson Glaciers. Many years ago I was forced to turnaround on the Highline because I could not get across a swollen glacial melt creek. Not this week-the creek was negotiable and we made it to the Devils Garden. Its a 20 mile round trip from the Muddy Meadows Trailhead-and yes, its a featured trip in my upcoming Backpacking Book. You have one more day this month before the weather turns nasty to reach this spectacular destination. Otherwise, put it on your 2010 hiking calendar!

(Photo-Heather hops across a fork of Muddy Creek)

Rainier's last floral hurrah

Just got back from two more days and 33 more miles of hiking at Mount Rainier National Park and what a great two days and 33 miles they were. On Tuesday I did a nice loop from Mowich Lake down Ipsut Creek, up the Carbon River and Seattle Park to Spray park and back. Yesterday I did a nice loop up the Tahoma Creek Trail over Emerald Ridge and back the South Puyallup Trail. The weather is holding out nicely and summer is hanging on. But alas the days are getting shorter and the wildflowers are fading into memory. But there are still the gentians! The final bloom in the high country before things begin turning red and start decaying. Spray Park which can ordinarily be a quite a zoo when it comes to crowds was eerily quiet when I was there late Tuesday afternoon. Try to sneak out and check it out--especially if you have never been here before. Lots of huckleberries and blueberries out there-and a bear or two too!

Red, White, and Blue!

Heather and I spent the weekend in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. What a weekend! We hiked up the North Fork Sauk River Trail which is in wonderful shape. Kudos to the Forest Service for the great work recently done on this trail. It is still long-don't believe the old reports of 8.5 miles-it is closer to 10.5 miles-and it is still steep-you'll climb 3,000 feet in 3.5 miles. But the payoff? Red Pass. White Pass. And Blue, blue skies. We hiked north on the PCT up and over Red Pass and then dropped 1,000 feet into Glacier Meadows where we made camp by a small stream at the edge of the meadows. While White Pass was hopping with climbers, horse parties and lots of other hikers-Heather and I practically had the entire Glacier Meadows to ourselves. Picked berries the next morning-scrambled the White Chuck Cinder Cone- had lunch on a small knoll above Red Pass-had to retrieve Heather's camera after she dropped it about 500 feet off the pass-still works! Then did a side trip to White Pass. Made it back to the truck at sunset. It was a 27 mile weekend and a highlight of the summer! Yep! This glorious destination will be in my upcoming Backpacking book--how'd you guess?!

The most Wonderful Campsite on the Wonderland Trail

Harvey Manning described the backcountry campsites at Klapatche Park in Mount Rainier National Park as the most beautiful on the entire Wonderland Trail. I agree! And unlike other spectacular places to set up camp along that wonderful trail-such as Indian Bar and Summerland, you won't have gobs of people around. The west side of the park is the quietest side of the park and perhaps the wildest. On a recent two day 32 mile backpack that took me up the South Puyallup Trail to the Wonderland Trail to Klaptache Park and then down to the North Puyallup Trail to St Andrews Creek Trail back to Klapatche, the Wonderland and out-I encountered the following:

The first day- no one on the trail! Just got to share Klapatche Park with two other groups and a young black bear.
The second day- just three people on the trail-and got to watch a really big bear down in an isolated basin. Saw five goats too!

My campsite-site number one-was absolutely a stunner. I got to stare at the mountain all evening-and watch moonlight twinkle on little Aurora Lake. It was hard to pack up the next day. If you haven't checked this part of the park out yet-get to it. Of course Klapatche Park will be in my upcoming Backpacking Book!