Backpacking Location Woes. Seeking help!

Help!!!

I have been planning the first annual Wilson Men backpacking tip which is scheduled to start in one week from now and am having some serious location insecurities and need the up-to-date conditions combined with past experience knowledge of the best crew of skiers to make this happen!

Background: First ever backpacking trip for my dad, adventurous and up for ~10 miles per day for four days and three nights total. Semi-experienced brother coming along to.

I was previously planning a day into Alpine Lakes Wilderness, specifically Robin’s lakes then Jade lake, a day of light mountaineering on Mt Daniel and out. Per recent trip reports to Mt Daniel it appears that there is a ton of snow, level around 4500’ and camping at 6200 feet or 5400 for that matter is out. Although I don’t mind snow camping if there is skiing involved, however this will be on-foot-only trip for me. I also was obviously hoping to get my dad on top of a mountain for some good views with some snow on the way up however I think it will be a bit to deep in there for our purposes.

Plan B: Lower elevation?

I want to avoid monocrop of Dougfir forest if possible. Would love rivers or lakes for some fishing opportunities. A high point with a view would be great on at least one day. Will be based out of Seattle.

I have heard great things about the Hoh river valley and I would imagine that would be a good option this time of year.

If I am flaking on the alpine lakes thing prematurely, just tell me to man up.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!!

Thanks for your help ahead of time!

Brian

phelps creek, spider gap, lyman lake, suiattle and cloudy pass, PCT, to buckcreek pass (check out Manning and Spring "hiking - glacier peak")

lots of variety - old trees, alpine lakes, a moraine, a 1000 ft snow field (we would have turned back without our poles, I hiked it in sneeker-style hiking boots and no gaitors) talus fields, check with NW hikers for conditions.

12 year old daughter and the dog came too - great fun...

I have heard great things about the Hoh river valley and I would imagine that would be a good option this time of year.

IMO three nights is not long enough for your crew to get much variety on the Hoh, and the most scenic part at the end would probably still be as snowy as the Cascades.  One night at 5-Mile Island on the Hoh trail would give you a taste of the best part of the rain forest.  No license is required for fishing in the park, but posted seasons & limits apply.

If you could manage a car drop or commercial shuttle, you could use the other two nights for the Olympic coast hike (~20 miles) between Rialto Beach and Lake Ozette.  This trip is almost unique in the lower 48; google Olympic coast hike photos.  Mountaintop views of snow available enroute at Hurricane Ridge with a twenty mile detour. 

Lots-of-snow still this past weekend up over Spider Gap this past weekend per the Chiwawa/Lyman report here. Check out recent nwhikers trip reports to see what hikers have been doing lately, including lots of photos that give a sense of conditions. The Teanaway is starting to open up around Stafford/Bean/Beverly creek areas with lots of flowers starting to come out, for instance.

My son took me on my first ever PNW hike up the Ho to Blue glacier a few years back and it was an awesome experience for this east coast flat lander. We hiked the 18 mile route in on day one, explored the glacier on day two and hiked out on day 3. Not much elevation gain and I trained for the trip by doing 6 miles walks as prep. It was a low snow year so there was no snow encountered, even on the glacier. Have fun. Posed for this pic to show him I was geared up to go.

   

Check out the Pasayten wilderness - it appears to be mostly melted out.
nwhikers.net is a good resource (along with WTA).

Horseshoe Basin to Cathedral Lakes is pretty, a classic backpack, and easily done in 4 days.