Backpack - Pacific Crest Trail: White Pass to Walupt Lake

Janette & Jacqui will be meeting to exchange Cars in the Seattle area the night prior to the trip. Details about participant car exchange(s) &  meeting place will be fine-tuned & updated with participants as the trip approaches.

This intermediate backpack explores a spectacular section of the Goat Rock Wilderness over 4 days. This route has been described as “a slice of jagged, rugged and mesmerizing mountain scenery that you’ll never forget,” This trail in the Goat Rocks Wilderness has potential for panoramic views that include 3 volcanoes, verdant valleys and glacial bowls and the infamous "knife edge traverse" across narrow ridgelines and steep scree fields. This trip is part of the Intermediate Backpacking Program.

The general route can be viewed here. We’ll cover approx. 30 miles; with elevation changes of +7697 ft -7267ft. Hiking on this trail would not be appropriate for those afraid of heights. People backpacking this route can expect to cross several snowfields and miles of trail that is very steep and rocky and exposed.

Southbound Route  The tentative trip plan is:

White pass to hidden springs approx. 7.6 miles; 

Hidden springs to elk pass approx. 6.37 miles (maybe both groups will camp near each other this night, space permitting)

Elk pass to snow grass flats approx 5.92 miles (or to Cispus Basin 7.45 miles)

Snowgrass flats to walupt lake approx 9 miles* (or Cispus Basin to Walupt Lake 7.4 miles) * other option is to camp at sheep lake (4.34 miles from Walupt Lake)

Northbound Route 

trip plan is tbd, maybe the reverse of the Southbound Route outlined above.

Janette & Jacqui will likely be meeting to exchange Cars the night prior, both leaving Seattle very early on the morning of the backpack. Jacqui will lead the northbound route & Janette will lead the southbound route.  Our plan is to have 3-4 participants backpacking each way.

This is an Intermediate Backpack.  Preference will be given to participants in the Seattle Intermediate Backpacking Program.  Others may register after May 13th.

When requesting permission for this trip please outline recent backpacking trips especially

1. multiple-night trips,
2. winter & Spring conditioning activities and
3. Ridgeline backpacking experience, prior experience of travelling on exposed routes.
4. let us know if you have a route direction preference.