Mount Saint Helens, Washington
Looking for the best backpacking in Mount Saint Helens? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mount Saint Helens. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Mount Saint Helens
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Randle, Washington
Summit Old Snowy Mountain
5.017 mi / 3800 ft gainThe hike begins just outside of Packwood, Wa at the Berry Patch Trailhead Trail #96, sitting pretty at about 4200ft. The Goat Lake/Jordan Basin loop trail starts here, leading to Old Snowy. The magical Goat Rocks Wilderness area is just southeast of Mt. Rainier. It also lies right in the crosshai...Read more -
Randle, Washington
Hike to Goat Lake, Goat Rocks Wilderness
3.710.5 mi / 1400 ft gainThe trip to Goat Lake starts at the Walupt Lake campground parking lot. You will start on the Walupt Lake Trail (#101) and a short distance from the campground, take Trail #98 (Nannie Ridge) as it branches off and climbs steeply northeast onto an open, scenic ridge top.Continue on to Sheep Lake, ...Read more -
North Bonneville, Washington
Table Mountain via Aldrich Butte Trailhead
4.716 mi / 3350 ft gainHike up into the forest (take the right path, not the one going left), and follow it all the way until you get to "Carpenter Lake" (which always seems to be just an empty, marshy field). Keep going and do not take the right path at the first Y split off. Instead, stay left, until you come to anot...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Ruckel Ridge Loop
5.08.08 mi / 3730 ft gainThis ridge is one of the lesser known paths from the Eagle Creek Trailhead. Instead of taking Ruckel Creek Trail, find the trail leading up Ruckel Ridge. It is a far more difficult hike of about 7 miles leading up to Benson Plateau. Along the way there are beautiful lookout points for Mount Hood,...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Backpack the Mark. O Hatfield Wilderness Via Eagle Creek
1.026 mi / 2300 ft gainThis is a somewhat incomplete report because we did not venture too far into the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. The sky had been threatening us with rain for the duration of our hike along Eagle Creek and we did not want to push our luck too far since we were hoping for an early start on our drive ...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
North Lake via Wyeth Trail
1.012.36 mi / 4505 ft gainPark at the Wyeth Trailhead parking lot and start hiking south along the old road bed. At the junction with the Gorge-Wyeth Trail, bear left and follow the Wyeth Trail as it goes beneath several power lines. Follow the trail as it goes back into the woods and crosses Harphan Creek. Continue on an...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Hike Kautz Creek to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
11 mi / 2520 ft gainNamed after the Native American who lived here prior to Mt. Rainier becoming a national park, So-To-Lick's was dubbed "Indian Henry" by the postman who unfortunately did not learn his name. When heading out on this hike, keep an eye on the weather in Mt. Rainier National Park. If hiking this trai...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Mount Defiance
3.712.55 mi / 5167 ft gainThis hike starts at the Starvation Creek Rest Area. After parking, head west back along the shoulder of the freeway, where you’ll see a wooden sign stating “Mt. Defiance Trail.” Continue heading west along the abandoned Columbia River Highway. Keep going west as you pass the junction with the Sta...Read more -
Packwood, Washington
Hike Tatoosh Ridge from Tatoosh Trail #161
12 mi / 4100 ft gainAt the trailhead kiosk be sure to get one of the provided (and required) self-serve Wilderness Permit. Starting at the trailhead begin your initial accent following the marked trail on the side of the road. In the first two 2.5 miles you will climb 2,745 feet, it's hard but luckily a majority of ...Read more -
Eatonville, Washington
Hike to Gobbler's Knob
4.05 mi / 1500 ft gainEntering the Park from the Southwest Entrance, bear left when you approach the forking Westside Rd. This road has been closed a few miles in due to massive rockfall. When you reach the road closure, just park along the side of the road. In Spring and Summer, you should be able to see plenty of ot...Read more -
Packwood, Washington
Snow Lake Trail
3.82.12 mi / 427 ft gainSnow Lake is a beautiful lake in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. You can do the 2.6 mile roundtrip hike to the lake as either a day trip or as a backcountry camp. To camp at one of the two sites on the lake you must secure a permit from the permit office at Longmire. The hike to the s...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Winter Camp at Glacier Vista
5.03 mi / 1000 ft gainIt's always a good idea to check the weather, but when it comes to getting a peak at Mt. Rainier you might be better off just showing up and hoping for a miracle. To do this from Seattle, you'll have a 2 hour 20 minute drive down I-5 and WA-167. After a couple turns here and there (you can follow...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Backpack the Wonderland Trail
4.890 mi / 22000 ft gainPossibly one of the greatest loop hikes in the Lower 48, this trail sees a lot of use. You won't be alone out there, but opportunities for solitude are abundant with a little effort. The crowds show up for good reason - it's incredibly beautiful, relatively wild, and about as close to feeling l...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Hike to Camp Muir
4.58 mi / 4640 ft gainPack your sunglasses because this is one snowy hike! Camp Muir is a perfect camping or extended day hike destination for anyone who wants to experience the enchantment of Mount Rainier without committing to the summit. Starting at the Paradise trailhead at almost 4700 feet up, a steep and extreme...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Mt. Rainier via Disappointment Cleaver
4.314.9 mi / 8993 ft gainMt. Rainier is a technical climb on all routes and is covered with glaciers all four seasons. It is not a mountain to learn mountaineering unless you hire a guide service who will help guide you up the mountain. With good weather and previous mountaineering experience, Mt. Rainier's Disappointmen...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Snowshoe to Panorama Point Mount Rainier National Park
5.03.2 mi / 1700 ft gainArrive at Longmire in Mount Rainier National park about 9a.m. They open the gate during the late season at this time so you will want to get ahead of the crowd, especially if it is a beautiful day! This time of year it is required to carry chains, so don't forget those. Arrive at Paradise parking...Read more