Trip
Basic Backpack - Surprise Lake
Overnight trip to Conrad basin on the east side of the Goat Rocks. The quieter side of the GRW, Conrad Basin is a great place to camp and explore.
Contacts
- Sun, Aug 10, 2025 — Mon, Aug 11, 2025
- Tacoma Hiking & Backpacking Committee
- Backpacking
- Adults
- Moderate/Strenuous
- Moderate
- Mileage: 16.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft
- Pace: 2.0 mph on average, slower on the steeper parts, faster on the easier parts
- FULL (4 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
When requesting permission, you should have a Backpacking, Climbing or Scrambling badge. If you don't have any of those, please let me know about any alternative experience with backpacking.
We will camp in Conrad Basin, which is a glorious place of meadows and waterfalls. Trail to Surprise Lake is usually dusty by this time of year but is cruiser. Trail past Surprise Lake is a bit rougher but easy to follow. Trailhead is east of White Pass, south of Hwy. 12.
My goals for this trip are:
1. Be safe.
2. Camp in and explore Conrad Basin.
3. Learn something.
My expectations for trip participants are:
1. Follow Leave No Trace principles.
2. Be respectful of all participants.
3. Have the necessary physical conditioning for this trip. Elevation gain is modest, mileage is modest. Explorations in Conrad Basin may involve some easy off-trail travel.
4. Have the necessary gear and clothing to be safe and comfortable.
0900 at Tieton Meadows trailhead at the end of NF 1000.
Surprise Lake
-
Green Trails Goat Rocks William O Douglas Wilderness No. 303S
Green Trails Walupt Lake No. 335
Green Trails White Pass No. 303 - See full route/place details.
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