Surviving Winter in the Pacific Northwest: Top Ten Tips for Hiking and Camping Like a Local

Winter in the Pacific Northwest transforms its lush green landscapes into a winter wonderland, offering a unique and invigorating experience for outdoor enthusiasts. If you're planning a hiking or camping adventure during the colder months in this region, there are key considerations and tips that can make your experience safe, enjoyable, and memorable. Here are the top ten things you should do when venturing out in the winter compared to the summer season:

1. Layer Up!

Winter in the Pacific Northwest can bring unpredictable weather changes, from rain to snow in a matter of hours. Layering your clothing allows you to adapt to varying temperatures and stay comfortable throughout your hike or camping trip.

2. Pack the Essentials

In winter, it's crucial to carry essential items like a reliable tent, warm sleeping bag, portable stove, and high-energy snacks to keep you fueled and warm. Be prepared for unexpected situations by packing extra supplies.

3. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key, even in colder temperatures. Consider using an insulated water bottle to prevent liquids from freezing. Dehydration can sneak up on you in winter, so make a conscious effort to drink water regularly.

4. Mind the Daylight Hours

Winter days are shorter, so plan your activities accordingly. Start your hikes early to make the most of daylight hours and ensure you have enough time to set up camp before darkness falls.

5. Pay Attention to Trail Conditions

Winter weather can drastically alter trail conditions, making paths slippery, muddy, or even blocked by snow. Check trail reports, carry navigational tools, and be prepared to adjust your route if necessary.

6. Protect Your Feet

Invest in a good pair of waterproof and insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry. Additionally, wearing moisture-wicking socks can help prevent blisters and keep your feet comfortable during long hikes.

7. Be Aware of Wildlife

Wildlife behavior can change in the winter as animals search for food and shelter. Be prepared by storing food securely, making noise while hiking to alert animals of your presence, and knowing how to react in case of an encounter.

8. Master Fire Starting

Building a fire can be a lifesaver in cold weather. Practice your fire-starting skills before your trip, pack waterproof matches or a lighter, and choose a safe spot away from flammable materials when setting up your campfire.

9. Monitor Weather Forecasts

Stay informed about weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest to anticipate changes and plan your activities accordingly. Ensure you have appropriate gear for the forecasted conditions and be ready to adjust your plans if needed.

10. Share Your Itinerary

Before heading out on your winter adventure, share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. In case of emergencies, having someone aware of your plans can be crucial for ensuring your safety.

Surviving and thriving during a winter hiking or camping trip in the Pacific Northwest requires careful planning, preparation, and a willingness to adapt to the elements. By following these top ten tips, you can make the most of the winter wonderland that this region has to offer while staying safe and enjoying all that the great outdoors has in store.

So, gear up, bundle up, and embrace the magic of winter in the Pacific Northwest like a seasoned local. Happy hiking and camping!

Stay safe and enjoy your adventure!

Annette Lake Solo Camping Trip Report (it rained)

This was a last-minute situation.  I’d wanted to go camping over the weekend before my house became torn apart while we have the kitchen remodeled and my outdoor adventures are postponed. However, the schedule didn’t seem to allow that.  But on Saturday afternoon my schedule opened up and the opportunity to do an overnighter became a reality.

                I chose Annette Lake as it’s just over a half hour drive from my home, only about 3.5 miles to the lake from the trailhead and the elevation gain is a paltry 1,800 feet. The highest point is 3,600 feet so I could have a campfire.  Assuming I could find any dry wood.

                Arriving at the trailhead at 4:30pm I quickly started the ascent.  We’ve had quite a bit of rain lately and the trail has a lot of mud where small streams and brooks flow over the trail.  The hike up to the intersection with the Palouse to Cascades Trail, (formerly known as the John Wayne Trail) has some elevation gain to it but nothing too challenging.  As you make your way up to the Palouse to Cascades Trail, keep an eye out for an unusual concrete artifact on your left.  I’m assuming this is a remnant of the railroad system that once went along the P to C Trail, but I could be wrong.  

Once past that intersection you’ll find the trail steepens.  Volunteers have built stairs and bridges up some of the steeper parts and across the riskier stream crossings.  A note about the stairs, each step is a puddle when it’s been raining and it’s nearly impossible to avoid stepping in them.  So, make sure your boots are waterproof if it’s been raining.  

         Not too long after crossing the P to C Trail, you’re going to be doing a section of about eight switchbacks where the elevation gain is greatest, which may be why All Trails rates this as moderately challenging.  But I’m a 60-year-old amputee and consider this to be a moderate trail, so there’s a lot of subjectivity to their rating.

                After that, it’s a steady climb to another switchback after which the last half mile or so is a slow descent to the lake basin.  With the mud the downhill portions can be a little treacherous, so I recommend having hiking poles to help prevent slips and slides. In the last mile or so, there are also a handful of lingering snow patches next to or on the trail, but they aren’t enough to bother putting on crampons or even micro-spikes for.

                I arrived at Annette Lake at about 7:45pm.  Normally a hiker is expected to take about 2 hours to get to the lake, but with shooting video for my Amputee Outdoors YouTube channel, it usually adds 30-45 minutes to the expected hike time.

                On the way up several day hikers coming down had informed me that at the T-intersection when you arrived at the lake, there were a couple of campers that had set up camp to the left.  I veered right at the T-intersection to see if I could find a quiet spot by the lake.  Sure enough, there was a perfect spot for a hammock camper.  This being the Pacific NorthWET, and rain was predicted, the first thing I did was set up my rainfly.  I have the OneWind 12x10 foot rainfly and set it up in its asymmetrical diamond form to give me lots of room for my hammock and a fire.

                As if on cue the rain started as soon as the rainfly was up.  The smattering of rain falling from the trees on the rainfly as I set up my hammock, chair, and firebox was, honestly, relaxing.

                I wandered around the forest for a while gathering dry wood for my firebox, it’s one of those little metal boxes you assemble and feed twigs into.  I have a review of it on Amputee Outdoors if you’re interested in getting one. Once I had a good bunch of wood, I got the fire started, cooked up a meal and relaxed with a beer or two.  Sitting by the lake, listening to the rainfall and the crackle of the wood in the firebox was very relaxing.  I sat there as the light faded and the night grew colder.  Letting the fire burn down after the second beer, I cleaned up my camp for the night and cocooned in my hammock. 

                This being June in Washington, first light is at 5am.  Much too early.  I pulled the hood of my sleeping bag over my head and slept until 8am when nature forced the issue.  As it had rained all night, trying to start a fire with the twigs laying around was going to be a challenge.  Anticipating this I had brought along my Esbit alcohol stove and fired it up. Using that I enjoyed a breakfast of blueberry porridge and hot cocoa.  I took some time to admire the view of the lake, the wispy clouds moving back and forth across the mountains and the cool dampness my Californian wife can’t seem to acclimate to.

                The rain stopped for a while, so I took the chance to break camp.  Once done, I checked around for any left-over items, garbage, etc., (Leave no Trace) and headed back down the trail. 

                The overnight rain had increased the size of all the puddles and made the mud patches larger.  So, again, waterproof boots are a must.  I extended the length of my poles once I had hiked up the trail that leads to the lake basin.  It was going to be all down hill from that point and having the poles taller gives you the ability to connect with the ground in front of you easier and with more control.

                Even with the rain, there were quite a few people heading up to the lake, I counted perhaps two dozen folks going up as I was going down.  This included a group of about six trail runners, one of which had a couple of bells attached to their backpack.  This was probably to alert any mountain lions or bears to their presence, but they also work to let slow, one-legged hikers know they’re coming so they can get out of the way too.

                If you live in the Seattle-Bellevue area this is a great little hike with a few good campsites.  It’s right off exit 47 on I-90 and has a large parking lot at the trailhead with a toilet. 

Recommended Gear Used on This Overnighter

·         Camping Stove – G4Free Portable Wood Stove

·         Shock Absorbing Hiking Poles – Ahoye Anti Shock Poles

·         Rainfly – OneWind 12ft Ultralight Silnylon Rainfly

·         Camp Chair – G4Free Folding Chair

·         Waterproof Boots – Free Soldier Waterproof Boots

·         3 Season Sleeping Bag – Geertop Lightweight Sleeping Bag

·         Alcohol Stove – Esbit 5 Piece Cook Set

·         Overnight Backpack – G4Free 50L Backpack

Carbon River Trail to Ipsut Creek Trip Report

The Trail

First things first, you need a National Parks Pass for this trail.  You can purchase one online or at places like REI.  You can also pay for a day pass at the trail head. 

The Carbon River Trail used to be a road.  So, this means that the hike is probably one of the easiest trails you’ll do.  The elevation gain is only about 600 feet and the round trip from trail head to Ipsut Creek Campgrounds and back is 10 miles.  The trail is well maintained, but there are a few areas where the Carbon River has washed over the trail. 

There are three sturdy bridges (two are wood, the last is concrete) and two log bridges (one is a log with one handrail and the other is a partially washed-out bridge patched with two logs and handrails.)  Along the trail you’ll mostly encounter other hikers, but there are the occasional jogger or bicyclist sharing the trail with you.  There’s plenty of room for each to get to one side and keep out of each other’s way.

At the start of the trail there’s a couple of well-maintained bathrooms and at the Ipsut Creek Campground there are two more toilets and a cabin, (more on the cabin later).  Since there are several streams flowing into the Carbon River, you could get by in the summer with just two water bottles and a water filter.

What’s Along the Trail

The trees!  Most of the forest is second growth trees, meaning they’ve grown up in the last 100 years.  However, along the trail and further into the woods you’ll see some old growth trees measuring 20-30 feet in circumference.  These trees are 200-300 feet high and range in age from roughly 200 years to about 500 years depending on the species and growth rates. 

It’s strongly recommended that you stay on the trail and not go tramping into the forest to check out the bigger trees.  This will cause damage to the local environment and can disturb the local fauna as they go about their business. Not to worry though, there’s plenty of old growth trees alongside the trail to admire.  You can check out my video ‘Hunting Old Growth Trees’ on Amputee Outdoors on YouTube to see them.

There’s a short side trail on the right as you go up the Carbon River trail which will take you to Green Lake.  I didn’t take this trail as I was running short on time, but it’s on the list for next time.

Ipsut Creek Campgrounds

The last bridge you cross is a concrete bridge and the last remnants of the original road that folks traveled up to the campground.  Since it was once a drive-in campground, there are bear boxes at several sites, some picnic tables, solar powered toilets, and fire pits. It is important to note that fires are prohibited, as it is now a backcountry site.  There were some trees blown down last winter so some of the campsites are occupied by those trees.

There are no reservations required for the campsites, meaning this is a first come, first serve campground.  If you’re a hammock camper the options seem limited at the campsites but if you walk up to the cabin past the toilets, there were a few trees that would work for you.

The cabin is locked down but around back there is a porch with a picnic table making it a good spot to get out of the rain and have lunch. 

From the campgrounds you can continue on to several destinations, however, you should check trail reports and ranger station reports regarding washouts, bridge closures and weather reports. 

This was a thoroughly enjoyable hike and if you’re looking for family friendly hike, this will suit you perfectly.