Backpacking High Pass Loop - Buck Creek, Napeequa Valley, Little Giant

Join us on this unforgettable Glacier Peak Wilderness 4-day backpacking trip from Buck Creek to Little Giant Pass via High Pass and Napeequa Valley.

BackpackingTimea ZilcsakOctober 2, 2020Washington, Backpacking, Hiking, Trail, Multi Day, Central Cascades, Leavenworth, Alpine, Classic, Creek, Favorite, Forest, Lakes, Loop, Mountain, Meadows, Pass, Ridge, Sunset, Views, Wilderness, Waterfall, Wildlife, Nature, Outdoors, Featured, Camp Comment

Backpacking Spider Gap and the Glacier Peak Wilderness

Join us on this wonderful 7-day backpacking trip to the Glacier Peak Wilderness via Spider Gap, Lyman Lakes, Image Lake, and Buck Creek Pass.

BackpackingTimea ZilcsakAugust 1, 2020Washington, Backpacking, Hiking, Trail, Multi Day, Central Cascades, Leavenworth, Alpine, Camp, Classic, Creek, Favorite, Fire Lookout, Forest, Lakes, Loop, Mountain, Meadows, Mines, Pass, Ridge, Sunset, Views, Wildflowers, Wilderness, Wildlife, Nature, Outdoors, Featured Comments

Backpacking the Goat Rocks Wilderness (video)

In this video, join us on our 5-day walk in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Known for some of the best views on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Goat Rocks is a wonderful place to go backpacking.

BackpackingDaniel ZilcsakJuly 27, 2018Video, Hiking, Overnight, Multi Day, Backpacking, Backcountry, Washington, South Cascades, Alpine, Camp, Classic, Creek, Favorite, Forest, Lakes, Loop, Mountain, Meadows, Pass, Ridge, Scrambling, Snow, Summit, Sunset, Views, Volcano, Waterfall, Wildlife, Wilderness, Wildflowers, Nature, Outdoors, Featured, Most Popular Comments

Backpacking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail (video)

In this video, walk with us along the spectacular Wonderland Trail around the majestic Mount Rainier.

BackpackingDaniel ZilcsakAugust 26, 2017Article, Hiking, Backpacking, Backcountry, Multi Day, Washington, Mount Rainier National Park, Alpine, Camp, Classic, Creek, Crevasse, Fire Lookout, Glacier, Lakes, Mountain, Meadows, Off Trail, Pass, Ridge, Snow, Sunset, Sunrise, Views, Volcano, Waterfall, Wildlife, Wilderness, Nature, Outdoors, National Park, FeaturedComment

A Simple Food Plan for First Time Backpacking

Whether going backpacking for the first time or just want to see somebody else's take on food and related gear, here's our recommendation.

GearDaniel ZilcsakJuly 30, 2017Article, Backpacking, Backcountry, Camp, Equipment, Guide, Gear, Outdoors, Overnight, Multi Day, Food, Hiking, Most Popular Comment

Backpacking Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches

A short backpacking trip leads you to the heart of a remote Pacific Ocean beach for the most spectacular sunsets. Here’s what Shi Shi is about, and more.

The Secret to Getting a John Muir Trail Permit

The secret to a JMT permit? No magic incantations, just persistence and flexibility. Here's a short list of tips we believe will get you one this year.

Daniel ZilcsakJune 30, 2017John Muir Trail, California, Sierra Nevada, Backpacking, Multi Day, Hiking, Article, Guide, Outdoors, Backcountry, Permit, Yosemite National Park, National Park, Lottery, Most Popular Comments

The Best Guide Book, Maps, and Navigation Apps for the John Muir Trail

Here's our recommendation for a good guide book, maps, and navigation apps for your John Muir Trail hike, with a funny intro we call "the cover guy story".

GearDaniel ZilcsakJune 16, 2017John Muir Trail, California, Sierra Nevada, Backpacking, Multi Day, Hiking, Article, Guide, Outdoors, Equipment, Backcountry, GearComment

Gallery: Winter Landscapes

A winter wonderland of frozen fields and silent trees, our playground on the last day of 2016, photographed in Sunriver, Oregon.

Daniel ZilcsakJanuary 24, 2017Sunriver, ORGallery, Photography, Winter, Snow, Oregon, Nature, OutdoorsComment

Ice Safety Advice from the Department of Natural Resources

Great advice from the Department of Natural Resources regarding ice safety.

NewsDaniel ZilcsakJanuary 9, 2017Winter, Safety, OutdoorsComment

Here's Why Cell Service on Mount Rainier Might Be Good for All of Us

In short, Mount Rainier National Park is opening up comments regarding installation of cellular telecom equipment at Paradise, WA. Here's why I believe this is good for all of hikers, climbers and visitors.

NewsDaniel ZilcsakDecember 5, 2016Mount Rainier National ParkMount Rainier National Park, People, Washington, Outdoors, Wilderness, TechComment

Gallery: Along the John Muir Trail

A collection of about 50 favorite photographs from our 18 day John Muir Trail thru-hike from earlier this summer.

Daniel ZilcsakDecember 1, 2016John Muir Trail, Hiking, Gallery, Photography, Trail, Backpacking, Backcountry, Wilderness, California, Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Alpine, Landscape, Nature, Outdoors, National ParkComment

A Mountain Lion Encounter on the Pacific Crest Trail

If facing such a situation, I've always wondered whether it's safer to stay in your tent and make noise, to make a fire, or to seek other's company.

NewsDaniel ZilcsakNovember 17, 2016Wilderness, Wildlife, Backpacking, People, Backcountry, Outdoors, California, Sierra NevadaComment

Gallery: Wind

Here's a series of photos about the wind, but also about our will to climb and explore, in the face of everything that nature may throw at us.

Daniel ZilcsakJanuary 2, 2016Mount Rainier National ParkMount Rainier National Park, Winter, Snow, Nature, Washington, Alpine, Hiking, Gallery, Snowshoeing, Landscape, Backcountry, Outdoors, National Park

Climbing Mount Baker via the Easton Glacier Route

This is the story of our three day climb to the summit of Mount Baker via the Easton Glacier Route.

Vesper Peak - A Favorite Hike With Outstanding Views

Vesper Peak, one of the best hikes in the North Cascades. You are rewarded with fabulous views of some of the most spectacular peaks in Washington State.

Mountaineering, HikesDaniel ZilcsakJuly 12, 2014Summit, Camp, Pass, Lakes, North Cascades, Mountain Loop Highway, Washington, Scrambling, Hiking, Overnight, Article, Views, Trail, Mountain, Alpine, Favorite, Forest, Creek, Less Traveled, Off Trail, Ridge, Wilderness, Backcountry, Outdoors, Nature, Featured Comments

Mount Angeles - A Signature Experience Near Hurricane Ridge

Mount Angeles is a signature scrambling hike offering some terrific views of the Olympic National Park, accessible from the Hurricane Ridge.

Mount Pilchuck - Where Zombies Hang Out

Mount Pilchuck is one of the best day hikes in the Cascades. It’s short, offers great views, a lookout, and, in bad weather, you might even see zombies.

A Journey on This Pale Blue Dot