The Best Places to Backpack in the Pacific Northwest

As a trip planner, scouting has become a pivotal part of my fall season. Each fall, our trip planning team heads out to a variety of destinations to vet and experience new hiking trails. A core element of our Risk Management plan is to look at every trail that our groups travel on, ensuring that they are safe, appropriate, and fun for our students.

This fall, I went to the Pacific Northwest with my colleague, Brooks, to look at new backcountry hikes for our Northwest Expedition groups. The reasoning behind scouting in the Northwest is to accommodate our itinerary change – Northwest Expedition has shifted from a 3-week trip to a 2-week trip. With this new trip flow, we want to maximize time outside and minimize time in the car. Therefore, we are hoping to have our groups spend four days and three nights backpacking through the gorgeous Olympic Peninsula. Olympic Peninsula is known for its old growth forests, sandy beaches, and of course, Olympic National Park. Declared a National Park in 1907, and an epicenter for hiking, Olympic National Park was the 10th most visited National Park in 2023. Only a few hours from Seattle, it is fairly easy to access and enjoy.

Scouting begins long before we hit the trail and start hiking. A core element of scouting takes place from our office, in advance. Our trip planning team spends hours scouring maps, talking to permitting officers, and reaching out to local Wilderness Information Centers. Through my years as a trip planner. Whether you are planning a personal trip, a family excursion, or a trip for a group of teenagers, being mindful of permitting restrictions, and communicating with local resources is the key to success. All of this research leads our team to discovering the best one, two, or three hikes that we’ll end up checking out in person. Factors we consider range from the distance of the hike, all the way to how groups will store their food. Finally, we look closely at how the location of the trails will fit into the overarching flow of the trip.

After the research phase ends, we put together an itinerary for our scouting trip. This fall, Brooks and I looked at the Enchanted Valley and the Royal Lakes Basin. Both areas allow for flexible mileage, great camping spots, plenty of water access, beautiful end destinations, and are known as some of the best hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest.

Our first hike, into the Enchanted Valley, begins with a winding trail following a stream through the old growth forest. As you travel further from the trailhead, the canyon starts to open up and you catch glimpses of the surrounding touring peaks. The trail has campsites scattered throughout, varying in size, and resources present. The trail culminates when you reach the Enchanted Valley Chalet. Popping out into the open valley, we were struck by the beauty and quiet of the area. A perfect place for a snack, some exploration, and group games, the valley floor widens into a flat playground for the outdoors. To return to your car, you follow the smooth trail all the way down, following the ebbs and turns of the river. Enchanted Valley would make for an incredible backpacking trip for teens.

Next up, we hiked the 8 miles into the Royal Lake Basin. Following a slow moving creek, we climbed up through the valley. Starting under the umbrella of the trees, the forest floor was blanketed by bright green moss. The whole scene looked like it popped right out of a fairytale. Steeper than the Enchanted Valley trail, we climbed up the canyon wall, reaching a vantage point from which you could see up and down the valley, from where we came to where we were heading. The final destination was a high alpine lake, nestled in a dramatic bowl with peaks and ridges popping up in every direction.

After our fantastic hiking trip wrapped up, we headed back to the office and continued the planning process, consolidating our notes, sharing stories, and imagining how our groups could function in each location. From here, our trip planning team will collaborate with each other, along with our wonderful permitting officers to determine which backcountry route will be the final decision for the upcoming summer. Aside from finding a great new backcountry for Northwest Expedition, this scouting trip allowed more members of our team to gain first-hand familiarity with a region our students explore. By deeply understanding the trails, campgrounds, resources, grocery stores, and roads our groups will use, our team gains even more tools used to support groups throughout the summer.

Brooks and I departed the Northwest blown away by the beauty of the forests and the coasts, and more excited than ever for our students to experience this incredible landscape.