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Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack

Field trip: Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) Course

Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack - Northern Loop (Mount Rainier)

This graduation trip for Deb and Yates' group will cover over 44 miles in 4 days on Mt Rainier's Northern Loop and Spray Park loop. Students in other groups should read trip information below before requesting permission.

Contacts

Yates Coley
Yates Coley
Primary Leader
  • Very Strenuous
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 44.6 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 15,000 ft
  • Pace: 2-2.5mph

This will be a very challenging trip. Students will need to demonstrate excellent physical conditioning and mastery of basic backpack skills prior to this trip in order to ensure safe, fun, and successful completion of trip. Itinerary with daily mileage and elevation change below. 

Students in other B3 groups will be able to request permission after August 11 if there is open space and if they have sufficient experience and demonstrated ability throughout the 2025 backpacking season. 

Northern Loop and Spray Park

Mileage

Ascent (ft)

Descent (ft)

Sunrise TH to Mystic Lake Camp

8.6

2043

2929

Mystic to Mowich Lake Camp via Spray Park

12.5

4490

5064

Mowich to James Lake Camp via Ipsut Creek

12.4

4140

4611

James Camp to Sunrise TH via Berkeley Park

11.1

4309

2361

Total

44.6

14,982

14,965

We will meet at the Sunrise Parking lot on Thursday, September 11. Details TBD. (Timed entry reservations not required after Sept 2.)

Route/Place

Northern Loop (Mount Rainier)


  • Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX
    Trails Illustrated Mount Rainier National Park
    Green Trails Mt Rainier East No. 270
    Green Trails Mt Rainier West No. 269
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials, plus overnight gear as specified by the trip leader. Campsites will have bear poles or bear lockers, so bear bags and cans are not required. (A waterproof bag with a loop and odor proof liner will be sufficient for hanging.)

Trip Reports