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Cle Elum, Washington

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

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Cle Elum

  • Cle Elum, Washington

    Backpack to Navaho Pass

    12 mi / 4220 ft gain
    This is a beautiful trail in the Teanaway area, located in Washington State. The trailhead starts along the Stafford Creek Trail and follows the creek for the first couple miles of the trail. There are a number of different types of wildflowers out here that make the first few miles a nice warmup...
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  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Thorp Mountain Lookout via Knox Creek Trail

    4.34 mi / 1677 ft gain
    This trail features beautiful wildflower meadows during the summer season and is relativity low trafficked. Bring your hammock for breathtaking views from the lookout and catch an incredible sunset. The summit has no established camping spots, so if staying overnight prepare to sleep on uneven gr...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Day Hike to Lake Ingalls

    4.3
    9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    From the parking lot you start out on an old miners road that leads to the trail. Keep right at the first fork (left lead to Esmeralda Basin), then in about 2 miles, go left at the next fork (right leads to Ingalls Pass). The trail will climb steadily as you continue. In about another mile you wi...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Mountain Run to Lake Ann and Ingalls

    9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Both trails start at the Esmeralda Trailhead, Trail Number 1394. Lake Ann has a handful of folks that you will run into, whereas Lake Ingalls is a well-traveled trail. Both offer camping spots along the trail, and Lake Ann has spots where you can camp by the lake. NO CAMPING ALLOWED at Lake Ingal...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Climb Mount Stuart

    5.0
    Global climbing legend Fred Beckey once said, "[Mount Stuart is] without a rival as the crown peak in the central Cascades of Washington, Mount Stuart has been pronounced the single greatest mass of exposed granite in the United States".To ascend the mountain by is easiest route, the Cascading Co...
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  • Ronald, Washington

    Spade and Venus Lakes

    5.0
    26.47 mi / 2300 ft gain
    Nestled in a high rocky cirque near the upper reaches of Mt Daniel, Spade and Venus Lakes are two of the most remote lakes in the Alpine Lake Wilderness. But to experience this level of pure isolation, you'll need to earn it; the shortest hike in to the lakes is 14 miles, the majority of which i...
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  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Spectacle Lake via Pete Lake Trail

    5.0
    18.91 mi / 3058 ft gain
    Depending on when you arrive at the Pete Lake Trailhead, expect to be traveling with company as it is one of the more popular locations on the eastside of Snoqualmie Pass. At an elevation of 2600 feet, the beginning route is a moderate 400 feet of elevation gain. Start on your way through the va...
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  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Day Hike to Lila Lakes and Alta Pass

    4.3
    12 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Getting There From Seattle, drive Interstate 90 to Exit 62, Signed Kachess Lake/Stampede Pass. Turn left and head north over the interstate; you'll reach Kachess Lake Campground in five miles. Turn left where the pavements ends and drive four miles on Box Canyon Road (FS Road #4930) to the Rachel...
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  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Take a Hike Up To Rampart Lakes

    5.0
    11 mi / 2200 ft gain
    Getting There: From I-90 East, take exit 62. Take a left, heading over the highway. After 5.2 miles, the road veers left, passing Lake Kachess Campground. Go another 0.3 miles on the gravel road and take a right at a sign for Rachel Lake/Trail 1313. At this point, the road gets a little rough, bu...
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  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Hike Alta Mountain

    4.0
    12 mi / 3300 ft gain
    Start off at Trail #1313 to Rachel Lake. The first 2.5 miles is a flat, slow uphill hike till you get to a river crossing. From there, the next 1.3 miles will be a 1,000 foot elevation gain to Rachel Lake. Once you arrive, this is a good spot to rest, eat some snacks, and replenish your water sup...
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  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Hike to Rachel Lake

    4.8
    8 mi / 1600 ft gain
    This hike is 8 miles roundtrip, with 1600 feet of elevation gain. Once you're on the trail, it starts heading uphill to help get your heart rate up on the hike. As you enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the trail starts to level out. You'll cross a few streams and hike through a fair amount of ve...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Backpack to Ingalls Creek

    3.0
    11 mi / 1450 ft gain
    As attempting to find a good overnight spot, I stumbled upon the mostly overlooked Ingalls Creek trail. Seemingly easy to get to, this seemed like a solid option for Spring camping. When we arrived, there were about four other cars in the parking lot, and my guess is that was about how many cars ...
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  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Lillian Lake

    5.0
    8.36 mi / 2969 ft gain
    We backpacked our way to Lillian Lake and set up camp. There is a trail that lead around the lake and a trail that leads up to Rampart Lakes and Rachael Lake as well. We found a few more camps spots on Lillian Lake, then we noticed that only ONE other camp spot was being used. If you want peace ...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    The Enchantments: Stuart Lake Trailhead to Snow Lake Trailhead

    5.0
    18.02 mi / 4626 ft gain
    There are a couple different ways to tackle this hike through the stunning Central Cascade region. I recommend checking out this handy resource for more detailed info. Bottom line: this is an absolutely amazing hike for people willing to take a little bit of an ass kicking. Aasgard Pass rises 1,...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Scramble to the Summit of Dragontail Peak

    16 mi / 7000 ft gain
    Getting There From Leavenworth, WA, drive Icicle Creek Road for 8.5 miles until you reach Bridge Creek Campground. Turn left here onto Forest Service Road #7601 signed for the Stuart Lake Trailhead. The pavements ends and the road gains elevation quickly as your car transports you high above the ...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Hike to the Enchantments' Horseshoe Lake

    1.0
    16 mi / 6000 ft gain
    Getting There From Leavenworth, WA, drive Icicle Creek Road for 8.5 miles until you reach Bridge Creek Campground. Turn left here onto Forest Service Road #7601 signed for the Stuart Lake Trailhead. The pavements ends and the road gains elevation quickly as your car transports you high above the ...
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