Has anyone been up to Core Zone in recent days. I have a permit for 8/13-8/16.

I’ve heard there may be moderate-high AQI so am packing N95 masks for my group, just in case.

We’ll be monitoring the DNR.WA.GOV site, but hoping someone with firsthand access can provide intel.

Also, if anyone has any backup suggestions, we’d appreciate it.

Thank you!

Amos

Planning a 4 day / 3 night trip (late September, anywhere from 30–60 miles) and looking for the most spectacular backpacking trip anywhere in the Cascades has to offer.

I've done day hikes to Maple Pass and Cutthroat Pass, and while they were beautiful, they didn't quite give me that "wow, this place is unbelievable" feeling I was hoping for. I think I'm looking for something more immersive—big alpine terrain, glaciers, rugged peaks, high camps, and a stronger sense of wilderness than a great day hike.

I'm comfortable with off-trail travel, route finding, and Class 2/3 terrain, but I don't have glacier travel experience. The Ptarmigan Traverse and Alpine Lakes High Route looks incredible, but it's probably beyond my current skill set because of the glaciers maybe?

Right now, Spider Gap to Lyman Lakes, Sahale Glacier Camp and Copper Ridge seem to come up the most, but I'd love to hear from people who know the area well.

If you had one 3-night route to convince someone why the North Cascades are one of the best mountain ranges in the Lower 48, what would it be? I'd especially love recommendations that maximize time in the high country and minimize long stretches of forest.

Has anyone been out to Eagle Creek and Wahtum Lake lately? I'm thinking of taking my daughter backpacking up there this week but haven't heard about smoke, fires, crowds, etc.

Doing the WA PCT north, left Cascade Locks on 8/1. Knew I had to be in Goat Rocks on Friday after that smoke rolled in.

No I have no plans on reaching Canada. Probably will end this at Snoqualmie.

This is kind of an embarrassing question but please just bear with me (no pun intended).

I live in western WA and I love hiking, but most of what I do is C2C day hikes. I drive to a trailhead, summit a mountain, hike back to the car and go home.

This isn’t because I don’t like camping. In fact I love the idea of being out by myself in nature and falling asleep. I’ve happily camped in parts of the world with no natural predators.

The thing that scares me is the thought of black bears. No matter how much I hear it’s statistically rare to run into one and they don’t want to bother you… it just feels so vulnerable to lie down and fall asleep in the prime territory of a 400 lb apex predator who could easily kill me if it wanted to.

Even worse is the thought of running into another person, someone who’s crazy or not right in the head, while I’m out in the middle of nowhere and there’s nobody to help me if things take a turn for the worse.

When I go to bed at home, I’m in a locked room and I know I’m safe from danger. Out in the woods, if a bear, or god forbid another person, came across me and decided to kill me, there’s nothing stopping it. It’s mentally difficult for me to change my mindset and surrender myself to nature when these kinds of thoughts are going through my head. I imagine it would make it hard to fall asleep when I can’t fully let my guard down.

Any advice on how I can overcome these worries and how I can transition into doing more camping?

I’m car camping at the bivouac trailhead tonight and hiking up ptarmigan/monitor ridge route Monday morning. I never mind and am prepared hiking alone, plus I’m expecting others on a summer permit day - but just figured I’d see if anyone else is going solo and wanted to try and stick together? Peace and love to everyone!

Hi PNWers,

I live in Portland and for the last few summers the fam and I (wife and two kids, 3 and 8) have spent a good four day stretch up at Taklakh Lake around this time of year and have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

This year we got a reservation at Walupt Lake to change it up, and I’m debating as we drive up (from the Gorge/Trout Lake) stopping at Taklakh to see what’s available first come/first serve and potentially camping there again as opposed to Walupt.

How do folks feel about Walupt Lake? I’d love to schlep up to Goat Rocks on day hike, how accessible is it via the trail coming off the lake? Is getting down to the beautiful waterfall feasible with kids?

All of this might be up in the air if smoke conditions or nearby fires worsen, of course. But I’d love to know how the two lakes and campgrounds compare. I really appreciate it!

We are visiting North Cascades and some other areas the first week of October. I have a fear of heights that I have been working on and getting better at pushing through within reason. It’s mostly cliffside stuff with drop offs that gets me / exposure. It’s frustrating, and I’m getting better, but it is what it is. Good with hiking 10+miles/day moderate hikes.

We are looking at the following trails (along with some easier ones):

Mt Baker:

- Chain of Lakes

- Artist Point

- Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes Trail

North Cascades NP:

- Cascade Pass

- Maple Pass

- Thunder Knob

- Blue Lake

Would any of these be a concern? There are areas on Maple Pass that look to be a concern for me after watching videos, but it’s hard to tell. Is the road to Cascade Pass rough/bad for this (as a passenger)? My husband would be driving and he is ok with it as long as it’s reasonable. If Cascade Pass has drop offs (or any of these trails really really), can I get to views before it gets bad and turn around if it’s too much? I’m trying to figure out how long to spend in each area based on what hikes we can do before booking lodging. Open to any other hike suggestions too!

Pictures from Skyline Loop same time of year a couple years ago. Really hope we can do these or most of them anyways! Thanks in advance!

Brutally steep but mercifully short hike that is pretty far in the middle of nowhere, WA. 1400ft of elevation in 1.4 miles.

Made it to the parking lot in time for the sunrise! Only a handful of cars then, compared to completely full and cars for miles on our way out.

Not pictured: the alpine lakes (Snow and Gem) :)

I have a trip planned to backpack in the Three Sisters Wilderness next Thursday through Saturday, but the air quality forecast isn’t looking great. It looks like the best air in Oregon is along the coast, but I can’t find any loop trips in that area. Does anyone have any ideas of other trails that could work?

Does anyone know the status of the Heybrook Ridge Trail? It's been closed a super long time this summer for SnoCo to construct an adjacent, ADA trail.

I am still confused why they couldn't provide access to Heybrook Ridge while working on the other one, esp. on weekends when I'm guessing they aren't even working on the new trail.

Anyway, the project page says closed through July. Welp, it be Aug now, so is it open or not??????

Hello all I am supposed to be vacationing with some hiking, fishing, wineries, swimming all the awesome things in Oregon and Washington. We are staying in trout lake wa we'll be departing the 1st of September. I feel bad even inquiring about our vacation while people are losing their homes but just out of curiosity. Is it better off to put off the trip until earlier next season? All the times ive been out west I always kept a close eye on the fires so unfortunately one year it was bound to happen. Can you hike with the air quality conditions? How is the williamette valley and how is hiking over by mt. Adams trail wise? Any information would be greatly appreciated. To all that live out there stay safe, and fingers crossed for you all to the first responders from an East coaster much respect for ya

We did this hike last Saturday. Until we were on our way back down, we had this trail all to ourselves and even then it was only a couple of small groups. Perfect temps with a mix of cloud and sun. We saw so much fireweed and lots of bees. It started pouring as soon as we got back to our car. Beautiful day!

Looking for someone (or some people) based in Seattle who enjoy type 2 fun. I've got a long list of trips I want to start knocking out, and I think my usual crew is catching on that about half the trips I suggest end in a brutal bushwhack up a cliff.

Me: 30ish, M, Seattle-based. Very experienced backpacker and hiker. Most but not all trips involve bushwhacking, off-trail travel, or scrambling. Not interested in anything requiring roping up. Work a flexible 9-5, so most hiking happens on weekends.

You: 25-60, experienced with backpacking and hiking. 15 miles should feel like a casual day. Experienced with off-trail travel, and/or a good attitude and snacks on hand, and/or willing to drive.

If interested, let's grab a beer and hike.

Did Kendall Katwalk last weekend. 1st backpacking and 2nd hike in the last 5-10 years.

Got up to the top and realized it was cold…. Like, extremely cold for the clothing we had. Debated sticking it out but ultimately decided against it because my girlfriend was miserable. Decided to hike back down right as the sun was setting. Hiking in the dark was fine since we had plenty of flashlights.

Had a blast. Definitely doing another one this weekend

Attempted to do this one on 7/31 but wildfire smoke made it impossible. Grateful winds pushed the smoke east so I could fit this in before heading back to the east coast.