Backpacking Washington: From Volcanic Peaks to Rainforest Valleys

by Douglas Lorain

Now completely updated for a second edition, Backpacking Washington remains the only comprehensive guide to all of the Evergreen State’s best extended backpacking trips. Ranging from three days to two weeks, these 28 adventures visit every corner of the state, including the wild beaches of the Olympic Peninsula, the vast interior of the Pasayten Wilderness, Mt. Rainier’s famous Wonderland Trail, the volcanic wasteland around Mt. St. Helens, and the little-known Salmo-Priest Wilderness, where hikers may glimpse grizzly bears.

Genres: Nonfiction

297 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure I could ever do any of these hikes but it was fun to read about them. It's a good book to have if you plan on doing any of them though.

[Steve S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only skimmed. I found some good options for a longer backpacking trip this summer

[Herb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many guidebooks boast as being informative, but few can claim to be comprehensive and entertaining. Douglas Lorain has opened mysterious doors into the wild unknowns of Washington state. His clever illustrations and hilarious commentaries foisted this guidebook into the shelf consisting only of pure literary golds.

[Will White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guide book is more for the backpacker that wants to discover some of the trail without reading about it first. I would prefer this book if I didn't have the responsibilities of a family with an 8 year old.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book that covered some hikes in the Olympics region and found this one. Overall, I found it very useful (and even found my next backpacking trip!). The book breaks down Washington into multiple regions all over the state and provides two or more routes for each, except for Mt. Rainier (only the Wonderland loop). Each route includes the perfunctory map and trail rating, plus a very detailed description and trail guide. The trail guide is so good, just taking the relevant pages should be enough to plan and hike a route. In addition, this guide book dedicates a chapter to Washington-specific backpacking tips, and a chapter explaining each of the "wild areas" of the state. The descriptions are accurate for the regions. I found no description over- (or under-) sold for the regions I have hiked before. And indeed I became convinced there were some regions I ought to go visit which I had previously dismissed.

As an added bonus, this guide mentions a couple shuttle/transport services for the solo backpacker/solo car.