Backpack - O'Neil Pass, Anderson Pass & LaCrosse Pass Loop

Staircase Rapids Trailhead (https://goo.gl/maps/SGQsyFzc2s7QvFeC9)

A valid parking pass is required at the trailhead

Friday September 22nd at 9am

Rain or shine

This is a challenging 4-day backpacking trip, with significant mileage and elevation gain every day.

Participants should be in excellent physical condition, and must be comfortable with varied trail conditions.  We will encounter blowdowns and river crossings.  We will likely travel off-trail in areas of scree, talus, and/or boulders.

As this is a shoulder-season trip, all participants should be prepared for adverse weather conditions, including rain, hail, snow, wind, and cold temperatures.

We'll be hiking at a decent pace (2 mph), with breaks for food and pictures.  Given the mileage that must be covered each day, however, we will keep an eye on the time and not be overly leisurely.

Given the challenging nature of this trip, leader's permission is required.  In your request, please detail recent trips you've taken that have prepared you for the mileage and gain of this trip.  I personally wouldn't do this trip unless I had already successfully completed multiple backpacking trips this season, with at least one of the trips being a 3+ day trip with each day averaging 12 miles / 3000' gain or more.  Since that's what I would expect of myself, that's the level of recent experience I'm expecting this trip's participants to have.

Itinerary:

On day 1, we'll meet at the Staircase Rapids trailhead, hike along the North Fork Skokomish River, and over First Divide.  We'll spend the night at Home Sweet Home camp.  13 miles, 4900' gain.

On day 2, we'll start counter-clockwise around the "Lollipop", ascending LaCrosse pass.  We'll spend the night at Honeymoon Meadows camp.  10 miles, 3200' gain.

On day 3, we'll continue counter-clockwise around the "Lollipop", ascending both Anderson and O'Neil passes.  We'll spend the night alongside scenic Marmot Lake.  11 miles, 3500' gain.

On day 3, after we've set up camp at Marmot Lake, we'll have an optional day hike to explore Hart Lake and Lake Lacrosse.

On day 4, we'll continue counter-clockwise to return to the Lollipop's handle.  We'll go over First Divide a second time as we hike along the North Fork Skokomish River to return to Staircase Rapids trailhead.  17.5 miles, 3100' gain.

A Caltopo route is available here.

Weather forecast is available here.

Participants will be asked to pay $25/person for the backcountry permit obtained by the trip leader.