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The Best Backpacking in Darrington

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

Top backpacking spots in and near Darrington

  • Arlington, Washington

    Three Fingers Lookout

    4.5
    14.31 mi / 4357 ft gain
    Approximately 11 miles east of Granite Falls, WA, on the Mt. Loop Highway,  turn onto Forest Service road 41 and follow this road for 18.0 miles to the trailhead. The road is quite rough and it is recommended you have a four-wheel drive vehicle. There is a washout about halfway along the road, an...
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  • Granite Falls, Washington

    North Lake via Independence Lake

    5.56 mi / 2431 ft gain
    North Lake is everything you could want in a subalpine lake: emerald green hues, cold, clear water, lots of brook trout and far from cell-phone reception. This backpack is perfect when the weather gets hot and sunny, though it does reside in what is known as “the wettest section of the Cascades,...
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  • Darrington, Washington

    Scramble Mount Pugh

    5.0
    11 mi / 5300 ft gain
    Not for the faint of heart - or those with a fear of heights - Mount Pugh offers some of the most rewarding summit views in the Cascades.Located off the northern end of the Mountain Loop Highway, this is an easy day trip from anywhere in the Puget Sound area. Though finding the trailhead can be t...
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  • Granite Falls, Washington

    Mt. Dickerman Summit

    7.93 mi / 3675 ft gain
    In general, this is a strenuous hike or snowshoe at approximately 8 miles round trip with nearly 4000 elevation gain. Be aware of current snow conditions and avalanche risk if heading up in the winter. Do not attempt a winter trip without proper knowledge, skill, and gear. Some previous winter tr...
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  • Granite Falls, Washington

    Cutthroat Lakes via Walt Bailey Trail

    4.0
    6.21 mi / 1978 ft gain
    Along the Mountain Loop Highway, past the crowds crawling over Mt. Pilchuck, lies the muddy, unkempt Walt Bailey Trail into a verdant subalpine basin speckled with tiny tarns. The Cutthroat Lakes are a delightful location to spend the night with optional day hikes up to exposed ridgelines and cra...
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  • Granite Falls, Washington

    Walt Bailey Trail

    8.4 mi / 2579 ft gain
    Walt Bailey Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Granite Falls, Washington.
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  • Granite Falls, Washington

    Mount Pilchuck Lookout

    4.8
    5.22 mi / 2113 ft gain
    Hike the well-maintained Mount Pilchuck Lookout trail through a variety of terrain: old-growth forest and granite boulder fields. At the top, you'll reach a lookout tower perched on Mount Pilchuck. Pilchuck sits on the western edge of the Cascades, which offers up amazing panoramic views once you...
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  • Darrington, Washington

    Camp at Goat Lake

    4.3
    10.4 mi / 1400 ft gain
    If you just loved your day hike to Goat Lake so much that you want to return and spend some more time, you're in luck - the lake offers a camping area that holds at least 15 campsites and even comes with a pit latrine. This is a great overnight option if you aren't looking for a difficult hike in...
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  • Granite Falls, Washington

    Vesper Peak Trail

    4.0
    6.59 mi / 3927 ft gain
    This hike is very strenuous, but nothing unconquerable! The views at sunset were once in a lifetime and something I will remember for the rest of my life. The first half mile or so of the trail begins in a wooded area then opens up to views of the lower valley. After hiking for about another ½ t...
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  • Granite Falls, Washington

    Gothic Basin

    4.4
    8.74 mi / 2785 ft gain
    Looking for a hike that will make you feel like you're in a foreign landscape, but don't have to deal with that far of a drive? Then consider hiking Gothic Basin. This hike is located only 30 miles down the Mountain Loop Highway, which is nearly a hour shorter for people that live in the greater ...
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  • Granite Falls, Washington

    Foggy Lake via Gothic Basin

    4.5
    9.78 mi / 3179 ft gain
    Drive the Mountain Loop Highway to Barlow Pass and park at the pass using your Northwest Forest Pass. (In early or late season, be aware of snow conditions at the pass and, more importantly, along the trail up to Gothic Basin.) From Barlow Pass, start hiking south past the trail gate and in the ...
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  • Darrington, Washington

    Climb Sloan Peak via the Corkscrew Route

    5.0
    14 mi / 6035 ft gain
    You'll start the approach to this climb at the Sloan Peak trailhead at 1800ft elevation. Moving south along the trail, you'll begin with a traverse through some marshlands and several water crossings along the Sauk River and its tributaries for the first mile and before gaining any elevation. It ...
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  • 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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  • Marblemount, Washington

    Lookout Mountain Trail

    5.0
    9.06 mi / 4610 ft gain
    Beginning about 7 miles down the Cascade River Road from Marblemount, the Lookout Mountain Lookout trailhead is on the north side of the road with parking for about 4-5 cars. With about 4500' elevation gain in 4.7 miles, this hike is definitely a thigh burner. The trail begins with a steep climb...
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  • Marblemount, Washington

    Hidden Lake Lookout

    4.9
    7.39 mi / 3415 ft gain
    Be careful when heading up this 4.5 mile trail since there can be snow coverage into the summer. When you start the trail, you'll get a little tree coverage as you start climbing up. Unfortunately, the shade starts to dissipate after about a mile, where you'll cross over Sibley Creek and enter th...
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