/r/PNWhiking
The PNW is a beautiful place to wander! From the North Cascades to the Redwoods, we've got it all: dry desert, coastal rainforests, high alpine volcanoes, deep gorges, and old growth forests. We're here to share our photos, experiences, and stories of hiking and backpacking in the PNW.
The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place to wander! From the North Cascades to the Redwoods, we've got it all: dry desert, coastal rainforests, high alpine volcanoes, deep gorges, and old growth forests. We're here to share our photos, experiences, advice, and stories of hiking and backpacking in the PNW.
Helpful links & forums:
- WTA.org - Hikefinder map, trip reports, and a great network for trailwork & advocacy
- NWHiker.com - Awesome trail resource
- nwHikers.net - Great forum, seems to have a WA focus
- OregonHikers.org -
Portland-based hiking site.Now it's all of Oregon, with a lot of info on SW Washington too! Check out the Field Guide & forums. - CascadeClimbers - Beta and stoke!
Subreddits you might dig:
/r/PNWhiking
59,007 Subscribers
Looking for hike recommendations
I’m planning on taking a trip in the summer to Washington and would like some hike recommendations in both Olympic National park and mount rainer national park. Any recommendations on trails with great sights would be nice like the rainforest in the park. I’m also looking to do a couple mountain hikes if there are any tall ones that don’t require camping overnight. I only have experience climbing east coast mountains that at most go up to class 3 (of the ones I’ve been), and I rock climb at a gym. Thank you
04:24 UTC
Three Sisters Wilderness Sunrise, 1/30/25
05:27 UTC
Backpacking or car Camping Monday - Friday nafter Memorial Day
Hi, all. My fiance and I are planning a camping minimoon the week after memorial day and would like to go to the PNW if possible. Do you have any recommendations for areas within 3 hours of seattle or portland that wont be packed in snow? We spent 2 weeks in the olympic peninsula 2 years ago so we'd prefer to go somewhere else. We like backcoutry camping / backpacking as well as car camping.
Also, Is there an alelevation range thay we shoud try to stay below if we want to avoid sleeping on or walking on snow pack for very long.
04:08 UTC
Question related to snowshoeing near Mt. Hood
Hi everyone - I've got a question related to snowshoeing. I went snowshoeing a few times last Winter near Mount Hood and it was a lot of fun. I would like to do it again this season and had planned on doing it this weekend with a few friends. When I did it last year, it was always somehow on sunny weekends except this coming weekend is supposed to be snowy. It looks like the snow is heavier Friday night and not as bad on Saturday during the day - at least that's what I'm understanding from looking at the weather. Does anyone have any advice for me on whether it's a good idea/bad idea/things I should be careful about (I have a lot of experience driving in New England snow but that's very different). I read up a bunch of articles about it and I'm still not a 100% whether I need to cancel my trip this weekend or not. I'd be snowshoeing near Lake Trillium area. Thank you in advance!
15:26 UTC
PNW Barefoot Hiking
Anyone ever hike barefoot? Wondering if there are any good trails (north cascades in WA) to hike barefoot (i.e. trails/locations that aren't super rocky). Otheriwse, I just go barefoot for any brief stretches that are bearable in bare feet.
EDIT:
The amount of shade and downvotes is sad to see. I'm simply seeking information on going for a stroll in the woods barefoot, and where I might be able to do so safely, with minimal rockage. I'm not trying to climb mountains here, folks. I'm simply looking for suggestions of trails that aren't loaded with rocks. Honest to God, it almost feels illegal that I asked a simple question seeking simple info. You can't go anywhere anymore seeking genuine insight without getting fucking chastized for it. I would have expected pnw hiking folks to be helpful and open minded. Yikes. Thanks to all for your kind replies <3
04:10 UTC
What permits are you planning to apply for?
Title. I was applying for a Mt Whitney permit and was curious on what people here were planning to apply for locally for the summer season.
17:48 UTC
Glacier NP-like mountains from top of Schweitzer?
Hey y’all quick and somewhat weird question, but I think/hope this is the best place for it? We were skiing at Schweitzer the last couple days, and since it was perfectly blue bird with amazing visibility, we noticed some peaks pretty much due NE from the top of the resort. The peaks had butte-like qualities but looked to be alpine - they had a very similar quality to the Glacier NP peaks.
Is it possible that’s what we were looking at? I’ve lived out in CO so I definitely understand how a high enough vantage point can allow you to basically see mountains across the whole state, but I guess it just doesn’t seem like we’d be able to those peaks so far away, from that elevation.
Unfortunately didn’t grab a pic. Was trying to find on google map but none of the ranges really seemed to mimic what we were seeing.
Thanks!
15:32 UTC
Chiwaukum and North Cascade Mountains
Planning a trip early/mid June. How cold is it likely to be and how much snow is likely to still be there?
12:58 UTC
Mount Little Si in North Bend 01.26.2025, right by where Twin Peaks and Northern Exposure were filmed.
00:46 UTC
Campsites that have nice day hikes close by?
I’m trying to get into backpacking and one thing im noticing is that getting permits for camping in most national parks is very difficult. I was hoping to do some of that this summer but im also open to just getting a campsite on the weekend and using it as a home base for day hikes. Some of the areas im very interested in are near Mt Rainier, the Olympics, North Cascades, and down by Mt Hood. I really enjoy mountain views and I don’t mind hikes having good elevation gain, i like to think im in pretty good shape. I will keep looking into the permits for backpacking but if anyone knows any good established campsites that I can rent and do day hikes, that would be much appreciated!
22:52 UTC
Hikes/ backpacking trips Near Vancouver
I’ve been having a lot of weekends free and want to get out and do some hiking but, it’s hard to find cool places with it being winter. I’m okay with up to a 3hr drive, want something that can be done in a day or 2, and gets above tree line or has a very good view. Also it would ideally have a lot of elevation gain. any suggestions are appreciated.
02:42 UTC
Mount Baker
What are some good hikes to see mount baker? Hoping for shorter, mid-july hikes with wild flowers.
19:23 UTC
Looking for inspiration and recommendations.
I have a serious case of cabin fever and am looking for suggestions on trails to get me out of the house.
Preferably 3-10 mile hikes of easy to moderate difficulty and little to no snow if possible because I don’t have the proper equipment. But hey maybe y’all will inspire me to get microspikes finally.
And ideally within a 2 hour radius of Portland OR.
Thank you so much in advance!
18:01 UTC
Week long hiking recs?
Just moved to PDX half a year ago and am really enjoying backpacking and hiking in this region. I have 2 weeks off from work at the start of April and am looking for a week long trek that’s not too far from PDX (at most 7/8 hr drive) that hopefully won’t be too cold and icy. I’m a semi-experienced backpacker.
15:12 UTC
20-30 mile hikes within 2 hrs of Portland (March)
I have a few days in March and want to do a quick 3-day backpack. Would prefer not to have too much snow. It would have to either require no permits or easy to get permits since obviously it’s kinda last minute.
Any favorite trails come to mind?
15:09 UTC