Before You Go
The unglamorous part that keeps the glamorous part fun.
Washington passes
Three different passes rule Washington. National forest trailheads want a Northwest Forest Pass, state lands want a Discover Pass, and the national parks want their own entry or an America the Beautiful pass. Check which one your trailhead takes before you drive two hours to find out.
The melt
High country opens late here. Anything over 5,000 feet usually holds snow into mid-July. Early season, pick low valleys, coast, and rainforest; save the passes and lake basins for July through October.
Permits
Most day hikes need nothing beyond a parking pass — but the famous overnights (the Enchantments above all) run on lotteries months ahead. Day-hiking Colchuck is the legal workaround, and it is plenty.
Weather
The mountains make their own. Sun in Seattle means nothing at 6,000 feet. Bring layers in August, and treat every forecast past 48 hours as fiction.
Bugs
The two weeks after snowmelt belong to the mosquitoes — usually mid-July at elevation. Bring repellent or bring regret.
The ten
Navigation, headlamp, sun protection, first aid, knife, fire, shelter, extra food, extra water, extra clothes. Every time, even the short ones. The short ones are where it goes wrong.
Conditions
Read recent trip reports before committing — washouts, blowdowns and road closures are a way of life out here. This page is a field book, not a promise; the mountain gets the final vote.
Texas heat & water
Start early and carry more water than the mileage suggests. Limestone and thin soil reflect heat, shade is incomplete, and Hill Country creeks can flash from calm to dangerous after rain. Never enter rising or muddy water.