Trip

Backpack - Sheep Lake (Chinook Pass)

This 2 night trip is a good family backpacking outing for your 6-10 year old. It's a gentle ascent to the lake, where there are numerous good campsites. Day 2 can include some a day hike on the PCT, including to Sourdough Gap, or some low impact fishing for invasive brook trout. A leisurely return on Day 3.

  • Easy
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 3.6 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 400 ft
  • Pace: 1 mph

Please meet at the trailhead at 10:00 AM (It's a 2 hour drive from Seattle).  

From Enumclaw, drive east on SR 410 for about 50 miles to Chinook Pass. Continue about 0.2 miles to Pacific Crest Trail parking lot, which is the second large parking lot on the left side of the road. The trailhead is on the east end of the parking lot behind the vault toilets.  The vault toilets at the trailhead are NOT open, but the toilets at Tipsoo Lake (the trailhead in the park just before ours) are.

Here is the Trip Sheet.  Read it for packing lists and other details.

Backpacking with kids can be a great joy, so long as you are prepared. 

Be prepared to:  carry all of your kid's gear, go slower than you normally would, and do some things they prefer to do.  Otherwise, it's great to be able to spend some slow time in the outdoors.   

My family did this as a day hike last year, and found the campsites to be perfect for a base camp for day hikes on the PCT, high lakes fishing, or reading all day in a hammock. 

If this is your first overnight backpack with kids, please touch base with me at scienceandmedicine@gmail.com for more tips.   

I will send a youth program trip sheet (click the link for the google doc) to all registered participants with more information. 

Route/Place

Sheep Lake (Chinook Pass)



  • Trails Illustrated Mount Rainier National Park

    Green Trails Mt Rainier East No. 270

    Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX
  • See full route/place details.
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Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include:

  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Stove and fuel
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water filter
  • Bear canister or extra stuff sack and cord designated for hanging food
  • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils
  • Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with waste.  There's no pit toilet at sheep lake.

Other kid-centric  items include: 

  • A stuffed animal or blanket for sleeping security. 
  • Endless trail snacks, treats, and (if it comes to it) bribes. 
  • Bug hats and light long sleeved clothes. 
  • A book and a hammock are well worth the weight for your young readers.
Trip Reports