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Snohomish County, Washington

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

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Snohomish County

  • North Bend, Washington

    Camp and Trail Run from Rainbow Lake

    I backpacked to and setup basecamp at Rainbow Lake and then I ran over to Island Lake. After enjoying the peace and quite I ran up to the top of Bandera Mountain and enjoyed the views. Then, I ran back to basecamp and spent the night. The following morning I ran up to the top of Mount Defiance a...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Snow Lake

    4.0
    6.24 mi / 1699 ft gain
    This hike gets crowded fairly quickly so get there early. The parking lot is very large so parking is not really a problem.  There are bathrooms at the very beginning of the trail so I highly suggest using them. However at the top there is also a designated restroom area. Starting at 2600 ft, thi...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Gem Lake, WA

    4.7
    10.4 mi / 2923 ft gain
    This hike shares the trailhead for Snow lake at the Alpental Ski area in Snoqualmie Pass. You'll start out with a great warm up, walking through dense green underbrush and a brief wooded area. Before too long the trail increases in inclination slightly and begins to offer up some small rocky sect...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Winter Backpack Below Chair Peak

    6 mi / 1500 ft gain
    Hike or snowshoe to the ridge below Chair Peak and above Snow Lake and camp among numerous Snoqualmie Pass peaks.Drive to Snoqualmie Pass WA via I-90 and park at the Alpental parking lot (exit 52). Take the Snow Lake trail, which initially climbs 200 feet with wooden steps and eventually evens ou...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Gem Lake and Wright Mountain

    4.7
    10.62 mi / 3107 ft gain
    The trail to Gem Lake lies along the same trail that passes by the incredibly popular Snow Lake. While the masses typically stop the first place they can along the shores of Snow Lake, fewer make the short trek from there up to Gem Lake. Park at the giant lots at the end of the road to Alpental (...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Winter Camping at Snow Lake

    7.2 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Starting at the Snow Lake Trail Head you climb up the boot pack or ski track of those before you (hopefully) from ~3120 ft. to ~4400 ft. at the ridge line where Snow Lake becomes visible. If there are no tracks, follow the South Fork Snoqualmie River NE and aim just east of the lowest point of t...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Upper Wildcat Lake

    1.0
    14.43 mi / 4370 ft gain
    Although this hike is possible if you’re looking for an all-day training hike, it’s much more enjoyable if it’s an overnight backpacking trip. Head up the trail past Snow Lake toward Gem Lake. En route to Snow Lake will be a little crowded, but should lighten significantly as you continue hiking...
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  • Concrete, Washington

    Anderson and Watson Lake

    5.68 mi / 1165 ft gain
    The drive up to the starting point of the trail to Anderson and Watson Lake was easy, but at the end it gets a little tricky - the service road is sharp gravel and runs for about 10 miles to the trailhead. Some spots are steep and there are large potholes, but slow and steady wins the race. There...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Scramble Fortress Mountain

    5.0
    22 mi / 6000 ft gain
    The Approach Starting at the Trinity trailhead you'll hike the Buck Creek Trail towards Buck Creek Pass. The trail is fairly obvious once the snows have melted but if you are going early season (June-early July) you will definitely want to bring a GPS.  The trail works it's way up the valley alon...
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  • Marblemount, Washington

    Climb Eldorado Peak via the East Ridge

    8 mi / 6800 ft gain
    Standing on the knife edge summit, the terrain around you plummets steeply into glacier-filled basins that trickle into turquoise alpine lakes. Serrated snowy peaks give way to forest covered valleys below that craft a rugged landscape. Eldorado Peak delivers you atop this wild and mountainous wo...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Talapus & Olallie Lakes

    5.71 mi / 1266 ft gain
    With a moderate grade on a wide trail, the hike to Talapus Lake is the perfect introduction to the outdoors for hikers and beginning backpackers. Upon arrival at Talapus, break out lunch or pitch camp. Either way, you can cool off in the large lake. If you feel like pressing on, Ollalie Lake is j...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Backpack to Ice Lakes Basin

    20 mi / 7600 ft gain
    Begin your adventure at the Phelps Creek Trailhead, roughly a 4 hour drive from Seattle. Make sure your car has good clearance and traction because the last section of the forest service road gets a little rough.  Only a few minutes after starting down the trail, you will reach a split that head...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Spider Gap to Buck Creek Pass

    5.0
    34.4 mi / 8317 ft gain
    Backpacking the Spider Gap to Buck Creek Pass Loop in the Glacier Peak Wilderness is no easy task, but yields some of the most spectacular views found in Washington. Plan for at least four days in order to stay fresh and to allow for extra time to soak in the Cascadian beauty that assaults your ...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Spider Meadow Trail

    14.13 mi / 2923 ft gain
    Spider Meadow Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see local wildlife located near Stehekin, Washington.
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Kaleetan Lake via Denny Creek Trail

    If you want to visit multiple lakes, get a view of or tackle a peak at Kaleetan, Chair, and Bryant, campgrounds for overnight or weekend adventures, fish in the lakes, explore off the trail and natural waterslides and picnic area waterfalls, this is for you. Denny Creek Trail offers it all! Afte...
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  • Marblemount, Washington

    Sahale Glacier Camp via Cascade Trailhead

    5.0
    11.09 mi / 4183 ft gain
    As an initial note, to spend an overnight at Sahale Glacier Camp, you need to obtain a permit at the North Cascades Ranger Station in Marblemount, Washington. Permits are limited, so get there early or call in advance. To start, go to Marblemount, WA and then drive ~23 miles east on Cascade Rive...
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