From the rugged peaks of the North Cascades to the serene lakes of British Columbia, our top 5 must-see backpacking trips of 2022 offer a diverse range of experiences for backpackers of all skill levels. Traversing some of the most beautiful wilderness we've ever encountered, these trips are guaranteed to provide an unforgettable experience. So pack your essentials and gear up, and join us as we discover the great outdoors. We hope our past trips inspire you to get out and explore this year!

Tank Lakes is a backpacking destination high in Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness. This incredible hike starts off unassumingly, ambling alongside the forested East Foss River before shifting gears and rapidly gaining 5,300 feet of elevation through rugged terrain dotted with lakes.

It's 12 miles one-way to Tank Lakes, with sections of rugged trail near the end. If you survive the climb to the top, you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of towering snow-capped peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and plenty backcountry exploring in a stunning section of Washington's Cascade Range.

Bring your Northwest Forest Pass for parking at the Necklace Valley Trailhead, and self-issue a free wilderness permit at the trailhead kiosk. The trailhead parking area is small and will fill by mid morning - if the parking lot is full by the time you arrive, look for additional parking along the forest road shoulder.

The Timberline Trail is arguably the most iconic and beautiful trail in the Mt. Hood area. Keeping true to its name, the roughly 40+ mile loop is stays almost completely above the treeline as it encircles snow-capped Mt. Hood. On this popular trail, you'll trek through innumerable meadows of vibrant wildflowers, ford roaring glacier-fed rivers, and camp in the towering shadow of Mt. Hood.


The loop has several different access points, and can be hiked in a variety of ways - the most popular of which start at Timberline Lodge., or Cloud Cap.

Over the course of the trail, you'll hike more than 40 miles, and gain 10,000+ feet of elevation. We measured 44 miles of hiking on our last trip, and 12,000 feet of elevation gain via GPS.

The following pin shows the trailhead at Timberline Lodge. Hiking west will take you around the loop clockwise, in the direction of Ramona Falls. If head east, you'll hike counter-clockwise towards Mt. Hood Meadows and Cloud Cap.

Picture yourself surrounded by towering peaks, alpine lakes, and fields of wildflowers as you backpack through the rugged splendor of Garibaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada. This park is a favorite for lovers of the outdoors, offering a range of challenging hikes, panoramic vistas, and diverse backpacking opportunities.

During our week-long visit to Garibaldi Provincial Park in September 2022, we were left in awe by the park's natural splendor and had one of the most memorable trips of the year. In this guide, we'll share our top tips and insights for planning your own unforgettable adventure to this incredible destination.

Conveniently located just an hour north of Vancouver, Garibaldi Provincial Park is easily accessible via the scenic Sea-to-Sky highway, which takes you on a picturesque journey towards the world-renowned ski destination of Whistler. One of Garibaldi Park's most popular hikes is Garibaldi Lake, which can be reached by a well-maintained road with a large parking lot (however, it's worth noting that the lot tends to fill up quickly during peak season). The park's other main trailheads (Cheakamus Lake and Elfin Lakes) can be accessed via gravel/dirt roads. I found these roads passable with a 2WD sedan, but they do have numerous rocky or potholed sections that should be taken slowly.

Camping in Garibaldi Provincial Park is restricted to developed campgrounds and requires reservations made in advance. To reserve a campsite or a day-use permit, visit the BC Parks Website. It's important to note that during the summer months, a free permit must also be reserved for day use. There are a limited number of permits, and they are often claimed quickly. I recommend reserving a permit as soon as you are able to secure your trip to avoid disappointment.

If camping isn't your style, the nearby towns of Squamish and Whistler are popular tourist destinations with excellent accommodations.

Explore stunning landscapes and the natural beauty of northern Washington with a backpacking trip to Snowy Lakes. These high alpine lakes are an ideal backpacking destination, tucked deep in the heart of the North Cascades and surrounded by a multitude of snowy peaks.

On this 20-mile out and back, you'll spend the majority of your hiking time well above the treeline, taking in constant views of the Cascade Range. Wildlife is also abundant on this trail, which you may be lucky enough to see (we saw mountain goats and a solitary black bear). While Snowy Lakes is suitable as a day hike for experienced hikers, it's best experienced as a backpacking trip. This will allow you to spread out your miles and fully experience the gorgeous campsites at Snowy Lakes.

The trail starts at the Pacific Crest North Trailhead across Highway 20 from Rainy Pass, just outside the North Cascades National Park. Campsites at Snowy Lakes are first come, first serve, and there are no required permits for backcountry camping along this stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

Are you ready for an unforgettable backpacking adventure? Look no further than Goat Lake on Mt. Baker! Tucked between Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker, Goat Lake is a picturesque backpacking destination that offers the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a first-timer, a one-night trip to Goat Lake is an experience you won't soon forget.

The Goat Lake trail starts at the Chain of Lakes trailhead, located near Artist's Point, and has a one-way distance of approximately 5.3 miles while gaining 1.5k feet in elevation. The road leading to the trailhead is usually open from June to October, but may close earlier due to heavy snowfall. To check the current road conditions, you can call the US Forest Service at the Glacier Public Service Center. Please be aware that this area experiences heavy winter snowfall, which can make the trails impassable for several weeks or even months after the spring opening

To find the trailhead, walk to the west end of the Chain of Lakes parking lot - this will be at the far end as you drive in. Shortly after starting your hike, you'll pass a sign for the Chain of Lakes trail. After hiking on the Chain of Lakes trail for 1.1 miles, turn left onto the unmarked Ptarmigan Ridge trail. If you continue right, you'll stay on the Chain of Lakes trail, which will eventually lead you back to the lower parking lot near the Mt. Baker Ski Area.