Intermediate Backpacking Trip

Blue Lake / Grouse Ridge Area  

12 – 19 June, 2021

​

This is a fantastic intermediate level backpacking trip that surveys some of my favorite terrain and campsites in the Grouse Ridge area.  Campsites at Five-Lakes, the Black Buttes, Phoenix Lake and Old Man Mountain, and Beyers Lake.  This 7 day, 6 night route is about 70% on trail and 30% off trail and route is dependent on snow levels, which vary by year.  (The 7 day itinerary includes the beginner trip for the first 2 nights.  Skip this part for a shorter trip).

 

-Day 1: an easy 2 miles to our beginner's backpacking site for two nights near Island Lake.

-Day 2: stay at Island Lake camp, summit Fall Creek Mountain (with Beginning trip)

-Day 3: leave the beginner camp, trail to Five Lakes.

-Day 4: Five Lakes over the Black Buttes, to the V-Shaped Lake on southern exposure of the Buttes. (mostly off-trail, limited distance)

-Day 5: cross-country traverse to Phoenix Lake.

-Day 6: Phoenix Lake to Beyers Lake

-Day 7: Trail miles back to Blue Lake base camp.

​

Come early for Blue Lake basecamp if you like, and enjoy the lakeside camp!

​

Plan to arrive early on the first day of hiking or come the day before to be ready to go the night before.

​

Packing list below.  Note that we can provide backpacking backpacks if we know ahead of time.  We will be staging and packing on June 11th at the Blue Lake Campground; feel free to join then if you like.

​

Cost: $300.

​