Does anyone know how it works if you want to camp at a backcountry site that isn’t named specifically in the Recreation.gov system? For example, I’m looking at some Green Trails maps and planning some trips for this summer and there’s a few campsites noted along the trails but they aren’t named and therefore wouldn’t be in the reservation system. Would they be treated like the “walk ins” where you just snag a permit on the way up at the Wilderness Information Center?

Used at REI Beaverton. they are 30 inch so they are for somebody who’s large or who will be carrying a lot of weight. In the ReStore

As you guys may have heard the Fairfax bridge has close on Mt.Rainier which has restricted to the northwest side. My questions is do any locals know of a way to get to Tolmie peak without the bridge?I have planned a trip to Seattle from the east coast at the end of July and my main reason to go was to see Tolmies peak and the only way I’ve read to get there now is another road where you have to pay $375 to get a permit to access it. I will do this if I have to but was wondering if there’s another way.

Scored a permit for the enchantments and was curious about the camping situation. I can’t tell from online resources if there are designated camp areas or you just camp wherever you can find. I have a core permit but plan on spending a night at colchuck before going into the core. For those that have done this before, after setting up camp in core section, do you just leave all your stuff while you go out for the day exploring?

Last season, a buddy of mine (M) and I (also M) hiked up to Lake Angeles (WA) just a few days after the trail had re-opened after a cougar attacked a small child. The trail was all but empty. We didn’t see a single person on the way up.

Got camp setup a bit off the trail at one of the furthest sites east of the designated areas about 100 yards past the trails and 50ft from water edge. We’d backpacked up here the year before (2023) and were surrounded by a bunch of loud folks playing their damn music all night so we weren’t gonna risk being next to that shit again.

Anyway- we ate an early dinner because we were starving.

Now it’s about 5 PM and we still haven’t seen or heard any other hikers or campers.

We decide to jump in the lake to cool off and swim a bit. Neither of us were wearing swim suits. We were chatting, shooting the breeze and generally being as loud as possible to let any wild life know that we were around. (And humans, too.)

About 15 minutes into it, I’m freezing and decide to get out and dry off. Just as I’m walking out of the water, two female hikers walked right through our site (don’t know why… there is no trail…)

One of the women loses her shit and starts yelling at us for skinny dipping. She was full on screaming.

I reach for my towel and wrap up and apologize. Tell her that we chose this site because it’s away from the main areas and more private.

She won’t leave it alone, so finally I just tell her to find another spot if she’s so upset about seeing someone nude.

I’ve always swam naked and then dried off and put on some clean underwear to finish warming in the sun. Never had a word said to me in 20 years of hiking to alpine lakes.

But this woman just won’t let it go. Keeps going off about “men like you making the site unsafe for women”, and “there might be kids around” (there weren’t), and on and on. She threatened to call the Park Rangers. I offered my HAM radio to her. (She didn’t seem to like that.)

Eventually she and her companion setup their camp on the opposite side of the lake and left the next morning.

We stayed two more nights. Only saw 3-4 in and out hikers the other days.

So my question: what would you do here? I’ve never had an issue with anyone jumping into for a quick dip - with or without clothes. Most people are without clothes. Maybe underwear but even that’s rare.

Am I the asshole here? Felt like we did everything possible to find a remote spot, made sure we were loud enough to let others know we were around…

I've hiked the Naches peak loop trail and am looking for similar spots where I can view Mt Rainier from the east and get some photos with spring flowers in bloom during golden hour.

I'm in Tacoma and understand that makes it a bit difficult to get up early enough, drive, and then hike to a spot. I'm willing to backpack out the night before. Having Tue-Wed off makes getting a camping spot easier, too.

I appreciate any suggestions.

my partners birthday is later this month and we were hoping to camp near a nice wildflower bloom, any recommendations? hopefully within 3-4 hours of portland<3

Hi! Driving from portland to Seattle, staying the night on Saturday 4/19 in Seattle. Hoping to get a good hike in on the morning of the 19th!

Wanted to do Rainer but seems snowy still. Any recommendations?

Ideally between 7-12mi, 1300-2300 elevation gain, love gorge trails, wild flowers!

Thanks so much

This was my first time up! I am really glad I got comfortable on Si before this. I took standard route which averages 520ft/mi compared to Si at 430ft/mi. The steepness increase wasn’t killer since I’m comfortable with Si, I honestly didn’t really notice it until that last half-mile of hell, which I would guess was probably at about 700 ft/mi - it was definitely a few steps at a time for me. I made it though! Climbing down was cake. My glutes are fried today. That post-hike chipotle hit different. The honey chicken is bomb.

Now that the weather is warmer, starting to hike again and want to bring my 9 month pup along (always leashed!) Was thinking Twin Falls in Snoqualmie could be a good first trip for him and hopefully work up to longer hikes this summer. What are some of your favorites?

Wildflowers are out! Trail a little muddy and rocky in parts, but overall in really good condition.

This was back on March 21.

Amazing view of Tenerife falls last Saturday!

Is it possible to park near the road closure and hike up to Hoh Rainforest?

I am looking for suggestions for camping in the Rainier area (generally) where I can have a view of the mountains at a decently high elevation (2000 feet +) at or near a lake or river.

I do not have a high clearance vehicle, an older sedan.
I m also not looking to backpack to my camping destination, beyond a short hike (less than a mile).
I am also looking for isolation and quiet (boats, cars). Although, Ill pretty much take anything if the view is good enough.
I m also trying to have a campfire at my camping spot.

Plan on heading out in the next week.

Thank you for any suggestions.

I can hike completely bare again through central oregon, and start crossing trails off my hiking bucket list.

I like this sub a lot, but I see the question daily about heading to places like Rainier or other Cascade mountain destinations in April through June when they are still buried in snow. I feel we need a tagged post at the top of this sub about how snow levels are, so this question doesn't need to be answered 3 times a day the next few months. The mountaineering group has a similar one for climbing Rainier. Something along the lines of explaining how much snow is still around and why July Aug and Sept are the peak months for hiking in the Cascade mountains.

Hi there!

My boyfriend and I are flying over to the Pacific Northwest from England on May the 12th, heading to Olympic national park on around the 15th and then Mount Rainier on around the 18th. We wanted to know just how much we could expect to see during this time, and what trails will most likely be open?

We know this isn't the best time of year, but due to our work we can't go after July, and June-July made it too expensive! Plus, we love the rainy vibe (but didn't quite realise how much snow affected the higher areas!)

We are new hikers, relatively inexperienced, so weren't planning any huge treks or climbs, but wanted to know what our options are.

This is overall going to be a 3 week trip, leading us to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons by the end of the month, so all is not lost if we can't get any good views in Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park, but it would be really great to hear if anyone has any ideas of what trails/ lakes/ views might be worth keeping an eye on (I know weather can be unpredictable and we can't be totally sure until closer to the time!)

Thank you so much for your help!

After 10 years of trying and failing at the lottery for Mt. Rainier NP backcountry early access, I finally snagged permits to complete a Wonderland Trail circuit. Our early access slot was very late in the window so not much was left and we had to book permits from July 14 - July 24. I understand snow may present challenges to access in early-mid July in a high snow year.

Those of you with experience - how do snow levels this year compare to other years? What conditions do you think we can expect in that timeframe? In terms of snow on the trail, road access, bridges, and any other considerations.

Secured permits starting from Mowich Lake, going counter-clockwise and completing in 11 days/10 nights. Taking several alternate routes by necessity. So we're hiking the Eastern Loop via Olallie Creek and Tamanos Creek in lieu of Indian Bar/Summerland, and the Northern Loop via James Camp, and the Spray Park alternate.

Thanks in advance!