Guided Backpacking Trips

Experience the backcountry of North Cascades National Park

Summary

Whether you’re an avid day hiker looking to do your first backpacking trip, or an experienced backpacker looking to see the best routes without the hassle of lottery or walk-up permits, our guided backpacking trips are a turnkey experience. With our own gear inventory of backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and more, we are able to provide a fully-outfitted backpacking trip with high-quality gear.

About us

As an expansion of Olympic Hiking Co., we are excited to offer guided backpacking trips within North Cascades National Park through our growing Hike Cascades operation. As a commercially authorized tour company within the National Park Service for 10+ years, we enjoy leveraging years of experience to operate memorable trips for friends, families, organizations, and other small groups.

Trip Cost

Includes all backcountry gear, meals, permits, and commercially authorized guide.

3 Day, 2 Night Trip: $500 per hiker per day
4 Day, 3 Night Trip: $450 per hiker per day
5 Day, 4 Night Trip: $400 per hiker per day
- Plus: 3% online booking fee

Group Size

We can accommodate any group size up to 10 hikers, however, we have a 4-hiker minimum price to operate.

Departure Point

Hampton Inn & Suites in Burlington, WA. Discounted rates available for participants after booking.

Group Backpacking Trips

Follow our 3-Step Reservation Process

Select your trip: From our trip calendar, select the backpacking trip that works best for your schedule, backpacking goals, and activity level (i.e. 1 - easy, 5 - very strenuous). Email our Operations Team if you have any questions!
Pay deposit: Select the departure date of the trip you want to join and submit 1-day deposit to secure your reservation.
60-day confirmation: Once we are 60 days away from our trip departure date, our Operations Team will email an invoice link for the remaining balance due.

View Calendar & Book Now!

2027 Schedule

Trip Details:
- Price: $500 per hiker per day or $1,500 total per person
- Trip Duration: 3 days, 2 nights in North Cascades National Park
- Mileage: 16.16 miles
  - Required: 8.82 miles (out/back) to camp at Pelton Basin
  - Optional: 7.34 miles (out/back) day-hike to Sahale Glacier
- Elevation gain/loss:
  - Required: +1813' gain, -646' loss (one-way) to camp
  - Optional: +3478' gain, -3459' loss (one-way) for day hike
- Activity Rating (1-5): 2 - Easy to moderate due to elevation gain up to Cascade Pass. Optional day hike to Sahale Glacier will be more challenging.
Trip Summary:
This backpacking trip to Cascade Pass and Pelton Basin is the perfect introductory trip into the backcountry and an amazing weekend adventure. After a 2-hour shuttle from Burlington, our group will enjoy a relaxed pace and ascent up to Cascade Pass for sweeping vistas for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we’ll make our short descent to our group camp at Pelton Basin for a manageable 4.41 mile Day 1. With base camp set-up, leave the heavier backcountry gear behind and enjoy a day-hike to Sahale Glacier and a subalpine swim at Doubtful Lake for up to 7.34 miles on Day 2. After two nights of backcountry living, it’s time to return to civilization. Make the 4.41 mile trek back to the trailhead and enjoy a well-deserved lunch in Marblemount before returning back to Burlington.
Trip Details:
- Price: $450 per hiker per day or $1,800 total per person
- Trip Duration: 4 days, 3 nights in North Cascades National Park
- Mileage: 29.5 miles
- Elevation gain/loss: +6,849 feet / -6,849 feet
- Activity Rating (1-5): 4 - Strenuous due to 29+ miles of backpacking and consistent of elevation gain and loss.
Trip Summary:
This loop samples a little bit of everything the flora and fauna offer in the North Cascades. Starting from Bridge Creek Trail (Hwy 20), you will hike through large trees until you climb to the shores of McAlester Lake. Continue through the subalpine meadow and forest of mountain hemlock and larches before descending down McAlester Pass to the Rainbow Creek Trail. After traversing the forest floor you will climb back up to Rainbow Lake for another vista between Bowan and McGregor Mountains. Finally, you will go back to Bridge Creek Trail and intersect with the historic Pacific Crest Trail, retracing your steps back to your vehicle. This is one of the hardier backpacking trips we offer, so get ready to sweat!

Cascade Pass

McAlester-Rainbow

Private Backpacking Trips

Summary

If our scheduled group trips don’t align with your schedule or you are seeking a more private and personalized experience, our team would be thrilled to customize a private guided backpacking trip for your group. We have organized custom backpacking itineraries for groups of families, friends, universities, and non-profit organizations over the years. This is an ideal option for groups of 4 or more!