Field trip: Introduction to Backpacking
Intro to Backpacking Field Trip - Surprise Lake & Warm Lake
* Preference to Tacoma Introduction to Backpacking students. Trip will open to all Mountaineers to register on April 27, 2026. Overnight Backpacking Field trip
Contacts
- Fri, Jul 31, 2026 — Sun, Aug 2, 2026
- Tacoma Hiking & Backpacking Committee
- Backpacking
- Adults
- Moderate
- Moderate
- Mileage: 20.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft
- 3 (4 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Mon, Apr 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM
- Mon, Apr 27, 2026
- Wed, Jul 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
A rustic backpack trip into the Goat Rocks Wilderness. It's a trip your leaders have enjoyed in the past.
We’ll meet at the Conrad Meadows Trailhead; plan 3.5 to 4 hours travel time to get to the trailhead from Tacoma. We’ll plan to get an early start.
We’ll spend 2 nights camped at Surprise Lake with a day trip on Saturday to Warm Lake. We’ll plan to have lunch at Warm Lake and explore the area, hanging out if conditions are pleasant before returning to Surprise Lake for a second night of camping.
Day 1 will be about 6.5 miles and 1,500 feet elevation gain to Surprise Lake. On Day 2, the hike to Warm Lake will be about 7 miles RT, or so, and a minimum of 1,200 feet elevation gain.
Photo credit wishfulwanderer on WTA
Preference to Tacoma Introduction to Backpacking students. Trip will open to all Mountaineers to register on April 27, 2026.
Meet at MT. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Ranger Station (450 Roosevelt Ave E, Enumclaw) at 6:30 am.
Surprise Lake
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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
To be discussed at lecture