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Skagit County, Washington

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

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Skagit County

  • Gold Bar, Washington

    Greider Lakes Trail

    8.5 mi / 2054 ft gain
    Greider Lakes Trail is an approximately 8+ mile hike out-and-back from the trailhead, which is labeled after a long drive up a gravel road. First 2 miles are flat, next 3 are switchbacks up. Once you reach the first larger lake, keep going! The second one is also gorgeous. This is a beautiful hik...
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  • Darrington, Washington

    Backpack to Glacier Peak Meadows and White Chuck Glacier

    34 mi / 9000 ft gain
    Starting at the North Fork Sauk Trailhead (NFD 49) off the Mountain Loop Highway, you will travel 5.3 miles and gain a leisurely 1,100 feet of elevation until you reach Mackinaw Shelter. This is where the real work begins. The trail gains a calf-burning 3,000 feet in the next 2.9 miles until you ...
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  • Deming, Washington

    Hike Skyline Divide

    5.0
    9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    If driving 13 miles on a forest road, and hiking miles of switchbacks doesn't bother you, your in for one of the most exquisite views that you can get from hiking in Washington state.Just a mile outside of the town of Glacier, turn onto Forest Road 37 and follow it up switchbacks for the majority...
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  • Rockport, Washington

    Sourdough Mountain Trail

    5.0
    9.34 mi / 5046 ft gain
    Going east from Newhalem on highway 20, turn off towards the small town of Diablo. There are signs from there on where to park. This hike is very difficult. It is very steep and gains elevation very quickly and right from the start. Once you get above tree line though you are greeted with great ...
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  • Rockport, Washington

    Backpack to High Camp on Ruby Mountain

    17 mi / 6300 ft gain
    Ruby Mountain is one of the North Cascades more prominent peaks, sitting high above Diablo and Ross Lakes. This trip is one for more experienced hikers with a very aggressive incline from start to finish. If that does not scare you then definitely add this amazing hike to your list. While it can ...
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  • Rockport, Washington

    Backpack to Fourth of July Pass from Thunder Creek

    11.2 mi / 2400 ft gain
    Starting at the Colonial Creek Campgrounds, the trail starts out fairly flat taking you along Thunder Creek for about two miles to the Fourth of July Pass trail head. Once you reach here, the trail begins to climb.Beginning with switch backs, the path straightens out for a while before coming to ...
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  • Rockport, Washington

    Backpack Thunder Creek

    10.48 mi / 1027 ft gain
    This hike along Thunder Creek in North Cascades National Park is perfect for families and beginner backpackers. The trail is at a lower elevation in the park so it is a great early-season hike, but be sure to check with the ranger station for trail and weather conditions before you go. Starting ...
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  • Rockport, Washington

    Camping in the North Cascades at Diablo Lake

    4.0
    Diablo lake is the perfect place to camp if you're looking for solitude and natural beauty. It's northeast from Seattle in the North Cascades. Colonial Creek Campground has large camp sites right on the lake. It is first come first serve, however check out is at noon so arrive around 11:30 to sna...
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  • Bow, Washington

    North Butte via Chuckanut Trail

    1.0
    7.71 mi / 2047 ft gain
    The HikeThe hike there isn't short, has several steep sections, and ends at the top of the mountain. There are cliff warnings at the top, so be careful as you explore the view! The steepest portions are at the beginning and right at the end. The trail is very well maintained (because it is so pop...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Yellow Aster Butte and Tomyhoi Peak

    4.7
    13.4 mi / 4902 ft gain
    The best way to describe the location is due east of Bellingham. After driving through gorgeous roads to reach Twin Lakes Road (fire service road 3065), you are treated to about a 4-mile drive up to the trailhead for Yellow Aster Butte (8.3 miles RT with 2850' of gain) and Tomyhoi Peak. The drive...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Yellow Aster Butte

    9.08 mi / 3258 ft gain
    Yellow Aster Butte has to be one of the most visually rewarding hikes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for the effort required to get there. Abundant with lush, rolling mountain meadows, hikers can be treated to an abundance of wildflowers, heather fields, and berry patches with dreamy...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout

    4.8
    3.28 mi / 1335 ft gain
    Winchester Mountain is said to have the greatest reward for least amount of effort in all the North Cascades. One of the last fire-lookouts in the region stands on the summit. Views from the summit of Winchester Mountain are beautiful and dramatic to say the least. Being one of the easiest hikes...
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  • Whatcom County, Washington

    Winter Hike to Winchester Mountain

    3.5 mi / 1320 ft gain
    Despite this trip report being titled "to Winchester Mountain", the fun doesn’t stop there. Even though Winchester Mountain is the most popular summer hike departing from Twin Lakes, this whole area turns into a fun-zone during the winter.Upon reaching higher ground above the lakes, this zone off...
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  • Bellingham, Washington

    Hike to Pine & Cedar Lakes

    5.0
    5 mi / 1400 ft gain
    These two quaint lakes in the Chuckanuts are a must-do for people looking for a day hike, short camping trip or steep trail run in the Bellingham area. Starting at the trailhead off of Old Samish Road, one begins the 2 mile ascent to the two lakes. The first 1,400ft climb has its fair share of up...
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  • Gold Bar, Washington

    Winter Backpack to Blanca Lake

    7.5 mi / 3300 ft gain
    Since Blanca Lake is a very popular place for folks to explore and with the nice and sunny weekend. I drove out Friday night and slept in my Jeep. Got up at 7:30am when folks first started arriving to the trail head.A couple of things to keep in mind before you start this hike. The 7.5 miles ro...
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  • Winthrop, Washington

    Heather-Maple Pass Loop

    5.0
    7.5 mi / 2185 ft gain
    Note to any hikers taking on this trail, this is a non-repeating trail meaning it goes in a big loop. The trailhead has 2 trail points of entrance. To the right (the pathway that is not paved) is the counter-clockwise route, a little less steep and more scenic at the start. To the left, the trail...
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