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  • hiking guides
    • intro to hiking
      • how to pick a hike
      • hiking gear
      • hiking basics
      • free resources
    • backpacking guides
      • backpacking 101
      • a guide to washington’s backpacking permit system
      • 10+ north cascades national park backpacking itineraries
    • hiking lists
      • best hikes around seattle
      • a larch guide | 20+ crowd-free washington hikes
      • washington hike-to-scramble progressions
      • 35+ common wildflowers of pnw
    • winter season
      • things to do in the “off-season” // how to hike in the rain
      • winter hiking
      • beginner’s guide to snowshoeing | resources for 20 washington hikes
    • trip report index
  • backcountry skiing
    • the ultimate beginner’s guide to backcountry skiing | washington
    • 25+ low-angle washington ski tours
    • backcountry skiing: tips and tricks
    • comprehensive guide to all my ski tours
  • blog
  • print shop
  • portfolio
    • published work
    • elopement photography
  • about
    • contact
  • rockies

    elevation is no joke | fowler-hilliard hut overnight ski tour

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    A few months ago, I was invited to a hut trip in Colorado and I had zero clue what I was getting into. I had no idea where the Fowler... // 16.5 mi . 5400 ft gain. 12900 ft high

    By cherlyn April 16, 2025
  • pnw

    extended table mountain circumnav (summer edition) | ptarmigan ridge backpacking via chain lakes loop

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    I call this summer edition because I did nearly the same exact loop in the winter last season on skis. After a hiatus from... // 15.5 miles . 3600 ft gain . 5950 ft high

    By cherlyn September 6, 2024
  • coastal,  pnw

    the ultimate 2-day backpacking itinerary to see the Olympic National Park

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    Did you know that the Olympic National Park is divided into two distinct sections? While the majority of the park consists of mountains, half of the coastline along the Olympic Peninsula belongs...

    By cherlyn July 25, 2024
  • pnw

    mild adventure for tired souls | mt watson overnight scramble

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    I think I’ve been on more plan B trips than I could count on my fingers. But not only was this a plan B, it was also redacted... // 15 miles . 5600 ft gain . 6234 ft high

    By cherlyn July 24, 2024
  • pnw

    little girl, big mountain | ruby mountain backpacking

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    The alpenglow potential is unparalleled here. I had summited Ruby Mountain previously on skis and the views were incredible in the winter. I was so excited to go back.... // 22 miles . 6600 ft gain . 7408 ft high

    By cherlyn June 12, 2024
  • pnw

    painting the hills | rainbow ridge high route backpacking

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    I’ve known about the Rainbow - McAlester loop for a while now. But it’s a pretty long trail and while you can do it in a long trail... // 31 miles . 8200 ft gain . 7895 ft high

    By cherlyn October 16, 2023
  • pnw

    larch of the woods | lake mountain overnight

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    For this trip, we were not interested in Monument Creek itself, but getting up and over the pass that the trail climbs up to. And to make it more... // 25 miles . 7500 ft gain . 8370 ft high

    By cherlyn October 5, 2023
  • pnw

    bike, hike, scramble, camp | chelan slam (emerald, saska, pinnacle)

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    Every year I tell myself to prioritize exploring the Glacier Peak Wilderness. But every year, I barely even make it to the area. Thanks to Scott’s Bulger climb... // 29 miles . 10500 ft gain . 8420 ft high

    By cherlyn September 20, 2023
  • canada,  pnw

    gatorade blue | panorama ridge via helm creek

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    Since I began exploring Washington, I yearned to discover British Columbia as well. After all, they are neighboring states/provinces and both feature the magnanimous Cascade range.  But just... // 19 miles . 4700 ft gain . 6998 ft high

    By cherlyn September 12, 2023
  • pnw

    sunrise scramble | columbia peak overnight

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    Monte Cristo subrange always seems like an elusive area. Hiking to the ghost town itself is already 8 miles round trip, through on relatively flat and well gravel... // 23.5 miles . 6600 ft gain . 7172 ft high

    By cherlyn August 17, 2023
  • pnw

    take it easy | tomyhoi & yellow aster butte overnight

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    We were planning to backpack a different summit camp but weather pushed us here to Yellow Aster Butte instead. I’ve always wanted to camp here by all the... // 15 mi . 5800 ft gain . 7439 ft high

    By cherlyn August 11, 2023
  • pnw

    hunting for larches | golden lakes loop backpacking

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    With the massive Bolt Creek Fire near Index closing Hwy 2 we were optimistic to head up southeast GPW. But driving through the smoke... // 24 miles . 5000 ft gain . 8110 high

    By cherlyn October 4, 2022
  • pnw

    round two | black peak overnight

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    I said it before and I’ll say it again, I’d scramble Black Peak an innumerable number of times. It’s hard to beat this climb from the varied... // 6700 ft gain . 8975 ft peak . 13.6 miles

    By cherlyn September 29, 2022
  • pnw

    years in the making | three fingers lookout overnight

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    I was first intrigued with Three Fingers Mountain when I drove past Darrington from a short day hike. Looking up, White Horse Mountain caught my attention, but I actually... // 21 miles . 6100 ft gain . 6780 ft high 

    By cherlyn August 17, 2022
  • pnw

    peas for breakfast | jade and marmot lakes, dip top gap

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    Jade and Marmot Lakes didn’t get on my radar until much more recently. As someone who chases alpine objectives more than pure backpacking destinations... // 25 miles . 6000 ft gain . 6680 ft high

    By cherlyn August 10, 2022
  • pnw

    early-season backpacking | bean peak

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    Teanaways are always the perfect place to go when it’s early season and other destinations are a bit snowed in still. This year, snow lingered even more than before... // 9 miles . 3800 ft gain . 6700 ft high

    By cherlyn July 12, 2022
  • pnw

    slow and steady | thunder mountain lakes backpacking

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    I don’t remember how I stumbled upon this campsite, but I’d be lying if Instagram didn’t have a small component of it. I had visited the area another... // 14 miles . 3700 ft gain . 5130 ft high

    By cherlyn September 9, 2021
  • pnw

    bang for your buck | north olympics high route

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    I think I was moaning a little too much about not having an “epic adventure”. My friends, however, got me stoked on doing a high route... // 43 miles . 15600 ft gain . 6950 ft high

    By cherlyn September 1, 2021
  • pnw

    rain, rain go away | alpine lakes high route

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    It was around noon when we pulled into the parking lot of the West Fork Foss Lakes Trailhead. Looking up, we could see... // 27 miles . 6700 ft gain . 6200 ft high

    By cherlyn August 24, 2021
  • pnw

    feasting and glamping | goldmyer hot springs backpacking

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    Glamping at Goldmyer Hot Springs. Naturally, I don’t take things easy and somehow always find a way to... // 22 miles . 1200 ft gain . 2100 ft high

    By cherlyn July 27, 2021
 Older Posts

about me

Hi there! I’m Cherlyn and I love to adventure, from climbing mountains to going down canyons. And you won’t find me on any trip without my camera!  Read more…

recent posts

  • classic funfetti birthday tour | washington pass ski tour
  • elevation is no joke | fowler-hilliard hut overnight ski tour
  • trees and powder | yodelin ski tour
  • triple pass | chair peak circumnavigation ski tour
  • journey to valhalla | lichtenberg and valhalla ski tour

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