Ask Me North Cascades

Hannegan Pass Trail, North Cascades National Park.

Ask Me: Where Should We Backpack With Kids in North Cascades National Park?

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Michael,

I just stumbled upon The Big Outside! Wow! Amazing! Thank you for it! I LOVE it!

We have two girls, ages 11 and 9. Our first “major” backpacking trip last year was to Olympic National Park. Covered 30 miles in 8 days. Obstruction Point to Moose Lake, Third Beach to Toleak, and Graves Creek to O’Neil. What a trip! Each girl carried about 10 pounds and my husband and I each about 40 pounds. This trip took three to four months of planning. We fell in love with the Pacific Northwest.

Unfortunately, I dropped the ball this year in planning another fantastic westward-bound trip. I am scrambling to put something together. I am looking at North Cascades, primarily because they do not accept online reservations—first come, first served.

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Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park.

Ask Me: Where Should We Backpack Around Sahale Glacier Camp in the North Cascades?

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Michael,

We are thinking about a trip to North Cascades National Park in late August or early September. We will have about four days for a backcountry trip. I would love to camp one night at Sahale Glacier Camp. It looks more like an out-and-back trip. Any suggestions on how to incorporate Sahale into a three- to four-night trip in that area? Just my wife and me, 10 miles a day max, preferably seven to eight miles a day. Thanks for the help. You responded to an email I wrote last year on Grand Teton National Park. We did the Teton Crest Trail—it was great. Thanks for the advice on that trip.

Blake
Hartselle, AL

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A hiker on Liberty Cap in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, Washington.

Ask Me: Where’s Best For Backpacking Photos, Glacier, Tetons, Rocky Mountain, or Cascades?

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Michael,

Thank you for all you do (gear reviews, trip posts, etc.) and for your outstanding blog! I’ve read almost all of your travel blogs but failed to find anything that speaks to the specific interests of photography, as the main focus point (pardon the pun). If I missed such a post, please refer me to that. I am looking to take on a backpacking hike of seven days this summer, most likely in early Sept. (after Labor Day and after the summer crowds have dissipated). I have narrowed down possible venues to Glacier National Park, Grand Teton N.P., Rocky Mountain N.P., or the Cascades of Washington.

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Ask Me: What Are Your Favorite Places in the Northwest and Northern Rockies?

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Michael,

I’ve been checking out your excellent backpacking posts and think you may be the right person to help me out with my search. My partner and I have taken a year off work to travel around the U.S. We had a great time hiking and canyoneering in Escalante. So now we’re in the Northwest, and want to find a great wilderness base camp where we can set up for a few days and explore the surrounding area. I’ve heard great things about Idaho, but Washington, Montana and Wyoming are all within striking distance, too. So much choice! If you have any recommendations for us—even if it’s just a wilderness area to hone in on—they would be most gratefully received.

Thanks,
Brian
London, England

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Ask Me: Advice about North Cascades, Olympic, and Mt. Rainier National Parks and Mt. St. Helens

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[Originally a message via facebook.com/TheBigOutside]

Hi Michael,

Thank you SOOOO much for taking time out to answer some questions I have. Myself (55 years young), my husband, my daughter, and her boys, age seven and 11 are hoping to camp at the Sahale Glacier camp in North Cascades National Park in August. We do backpack and have great gear. We did the Grand Canyon, to the river and back, last year.

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