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Ellensburg, Washington

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

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Ellensburg

  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Climb to the Summit of Colchuck Peak

    12.5 mi / 5300 ft gain
    Getting There: From US2 in Leavenworth, Washington, turn onto Icicle Creek Rd. Drive 8.2 miles and turn left on Forest Service Road 7601—you might be able to spot it more easily as the turnoff for the Bridge Creek Campground. In 3.7 miles, you'll arrive at the Stuart Lake Trailhead parking lot; w...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Snowshoe to Colchuck Lake

    3.3
    16 mi / 3000 ft gain
    From Leavenworth, head south on Icicle Creek rd for 8.2 miles until you reach USFS rd 7601. This road isn't plowed and is blocked by a locked gate about one quarter mile from where it intersects with Icicle Creek Road (usually from November to May), so parking at the intersection is probably your...
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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

    Backpack to Lake Caroline in the Enchantments

    5.75 mi / 3100 ft gain
    From Leavenworth, WA head down Icicle Creek road and head to the Eightmile Lake Trailhead.The backpack starts at roughly 3270 feet of elevation and the highest point of the hike is 6300 feet. To start you will hike through a very beautiful and forested area for a while before getting into a burn ...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Eightmile Lake

    4.0
    6.76 mi / 1496 ft gain
    Beginning at the trailhead, fill out a self-issued permit allowing you to stay overnight. Start your trek heading upwards at an elevation of 3300 feet. As you become adapted to the trail, you will start to realize it is maintained and well groomed. In addition, The 1300 feet of elevation gained t...
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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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  • Enumclaw, Washington

    Backpack Noble Knob via Greenwater Trail

    16.9 mi / 3920 ft gain
    From Greenwater heading south: Pass the fire station to FR 70 on the left. Follow FR 70 for about nine miles to FR 7033. Take a right and follow the road to the trailhead. Northwest Forest Pass required. The trail is in good shape and mostly flat to Greenwater Lakes which is great for families a...
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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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  • Ronald, Washington

    Sprite Lake via Paddy-Go-Easy Pass Trail

    6.5 mi / 2923 ft gain
    The Trail Begin backpacking the Paddy-Go-Easy Pass Trail (#1595) through dense spruce forests with riparian undergrowth. The trail will switchback and climb steadily across dry meadows filled with wildflowers, and you'll have increasing views westward of Mount Daniel, Mount Hinman, and Cathedral...
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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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  • Ronald, Washington

    Tuck and Robin Lakes

    4.3
    13.94 mi / 4199 ft gain
    Robin Lakes have been coined "The Little Enchantments", and once you visit, you'll realize the nickname is strikingly accurate. But while the hike up is no Aasgard Pass, it's far from a walk in the park. When you leave the car at the end of the pothole-ridden Salmon La Sac forest service road, y...
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  • Ronald, Washington

    Marmot and Jade Lakes via Deception Pass Trail

    5.0
    20.29 mi / 4370 ft gain
    The road in is passable with basically any vehicle, though there are some potholes to be avoided. Start at the Deception Pass Trailhead near the parking lot. There is a quick and easy 4.5 miles as you pass Hyas Lake, then you start climbing up to the trail junction for Tuck and Robin Lakes and th...
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  • Ronald, Washington

    Climb Mt. Daniel via the Southeast Ridge

    5.0
    16 mi / 6000 ft gain
    Far from the iconic skyline of Seattle, on King County's Eastern boundary, is a lesser known natural skyscraper named Mt. Daniel. At 7960 feet plus, Mt. Daniel's true summit effortlessly juts into the sky as King County's tallest point.From Roslyn, head North for roughly 15 miles on Salmon La Sac...
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