A North Cascades Beauty: Backpacking the Copper Ridge Loop

We pulled into the North Cascades ranger station in Marblemount at 5:00am, two hours before the office opened, but as our headlights swept through the dark lot we saw that we weren’t the first to arrive. There were already two people waiting at the front door, their headlamps illuminated a map as they talked over their options. I parked the car, turned off the engine, and walked over to join them. We were all here hoping to secure a walk up permit for North Cascades National Park over Labor Day weekend.

North Cascades, Backpacking Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeSeptember 18, 2019 Comments

Volcano Dreams: Mt. Adams Summit

Alex and I spent the first weekend of June climbing Mt. Adams and skiing from its summit with our good friend Nate. While it is possible to climb Mt. Adams in one day, we opted to take two days. The extra time would allow us to enjoy a sunset, sunrise, and a starry night from the Lunch Counter campsite.

Mt. Adams, Backcountry Ski Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeJune 16, 2019 Comments

Seastacks and Sunsets: Backpacking the North Olympic Coast

Over Memorial Day weekend Alex and I headed to the Olympic Coast to embark upon our first Washington backpacking trip of the season. We had our sights set on Olympic National Park’s North Coast. The campsites along most of the coastline does not have a permit quota, but campers still have to show up at the ranger station and pick up a permit.

Olympic, Backpacking Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeJune 5, 2019 Comments

Photo Diary: Winter Summit of Mt. Ellinor

On Friday, February 1 my friend Nate texted me and asked if Alex and I would like to join him for a sunrise mission up Mt. Ellinor in Olympic National Forest the very next day. It would mean we would have to wake up at 1am two Saturdays in a row (the weekend prior we climbed Mt. St. Helens), but we immediately said “yes!”

Olympic, Washington, Winter TripsSonja SaxeFebruary 9, 2019Comment

A Winter Wonderland: Mount St. Helens Summit

I’m not a peak bagger, I don’t suffer from summit fever, and I have no burning desire to stand on top of the highest mountains. I actually prefer looking at mountains from below, staring up at their lofty peaks, being overwhelmed by their impossibly massive walls, and admiring their powerful presence. But, sometimes I make an exception and that is exactly what happened a few weeks ago when Alex and I set out with a group of friends with the goal of summiting Mount St. Helens and skiing off the summit.

Mount St. Helens, Backcountry Ski Trips, Winter Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeFebruary 5, 2019Comment

A Fall Wonderland in North Cascades National Park

At the end of September, Alex and I went on an overnight backpacking trip with our friends Alisha and Sean to a place we have been dreaming about for a couple years: Sahale Glacier camp. This backcountry campsite is one of the most sought after destinations in North Cascades National Park so, understandably, the competition for permits on weekends is fierce.

North Cascades, Backpacking Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeOctober 20, 2018 Comments

Backpacking the Wonderland Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park

The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles long, includes 22,000' of elevation gain and loss, and circumnavigates the tallest point in Washington: Mt. Rainier. It is a world-class hike that has been on my mind for years so finally being able to complete it was such a wonderful feeling, but it wasn't an easy road (or trail) to get there.

Mt. Rainier, Backpacking Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeAugust 14, 2018 Comments

Photo Diary: Mt. Baker Winter Camping

Last Friday Alex, a few friends, and I ventured to the Mt. Baker wilderness to do some winter camping. The forecast called for overcast conditions with possible overnight snow flurries but instead we were treated to the most perfect bluebird day. Since we were heading out on a Friday afternoon there were very few people out on the trail and we were able to get our pick of campsites.

North Cascades, Backcountry Ski Trips, Winter Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeMarch 24, 2018Comment

A Winter Wonderland in Mount Rainier National Park

I opened up the weather app on my phone and apprehensively scrolled to the tab for Ashford (Mount Rainier National Park) and saw a bright sun next to Saturday and Sunday—the weather window was holding and it was going to be a beautiful weekend in the mountains.

Mt. Rainier, Backcountry Ski Trips, Winter Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeMarch 16, 2018Comment

Photo Diary: Day Hiking The Enchantments

In early October Alex and I decided to go larch hunting. Every fall I have seen posts about "larch madness" on social media but I had never had the pleasure of seeing these vividly yellow trees myself. With the weather forecast to be absolutely perfect, we set off to hike the 18 mile trail that connects the Colchuck/Stuart Lake Trailhead to the Snowy Lake Trailhead and traverses the Core zone of The Enchantments.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WashingtonSonja SaxeNovember 5, 2017Comment