Backpack - American Lake via Naches Peak Loop

Enumclaw Ranger Station Saturday morning, time TBD.  Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass required for drivers.

Fall colors alert! Join us on the Pacific Crest Trail and hike south from Chinook Pass to camp beside American Lake.  Our route will take us past several other lakes and because of the timeframe we'll be hiking, we should encounter quite a few PCT thru hikers making a bee line for the Canadian Border. There will be an optional side trip with our lighter packs to Big and Little Cougar Lakes after we set up camp. The side trip adds 5 miles RT and 1000' gain to our first day. Total trip distance and gain with the optional side trip is 19 miles and 2000' gain. 

We expect there to be less trail traffic because school will be in session, that we'll have warm days with cooler nights, and no bugs! If you love fall colors and huckleberries, this might be your trip.

A dog will be backpacking with the group, please be comfortable hiking and camping with dogs before signing up for this trip.

Preference to Tacoma Branch Introduction to Backpacking Students. Trip will open to all Mountaineers on May 1.