[Ashleynne]

Hello everyone! I am new here. I guess it took me until Covid to realize how trafficked the majority of the trails are here in Washington. I’ve become fascinated of wanting to get to lakes this summer with no established trail or primitive ones. I am hoping to join a party who has a decent amount of experience doing this. I found this site through looking at the lakes I was interested in on google maps. The catch? I know very little about navigation although I would like to learn from these experiences. I am a strong hiker although chances are easy that you are much stronger than me if you have been doing this for quite awhile. I’ve done mailbox, mt. Rose, overnight at spectacle lake, I’ve done enchanted valley in two nights, all for reference. I just want to tag along! I’m hoping there are passionate hikers in here that would like to pass on their knowledge and take me under their wing. I am very aware that it is hard work and I am willing to put in the effort. Some lakes I have interest in are for example is Berdeen lake, iswoot lake, lake locket, lake Rebecca, etc.

[timberghost]

Join the High Lakers or the Trailblazers groups which stock and survey a majority of on and off trail lakes in WA state.

[Waterman]

Admire your wish to improve your off trail skills. I would suggest acquiring a copy of USGS 7.5 Big Snow map. This contains the Foss Lakes region. Official trail ends at Big Snow lake. But there are footpaths to every lake on that map. Great place to make mistakes in learning how to travel off trail. Options to loop out to different trailheads. While this area is extremely popular once you get past the end of official trail, crowds drop off significantly. If your comfortable going solo this area will allow you push your limits somewhat safely. Returning several times over the summer will allow you to become familiar with this area. To make mistakes and prehaps improve your route I suggest paper maps for a reason, it gives you a better overall look at the area which makes it easier to pick and choose the route. Builds basic skills in map reading. You can always get a gps in the future as more than a few will argue is better. Metsker maps in Seattle is a good source at $10 copy.

[gb]

You should post your interest in "Partners". You will probably get some invites.

[Stefan]

I strongly recommend you have mapping software and know how to use it on your phone. I use Caltopo.com Caltopo is complicated. And once you know how to use it...I don't think you will go back to anything else.

[Ashleynne]

I notice it’s kind of dead in that section to be honest. I feel like that section is geared towards more beginners as the majority of people who have a lot of experience already have partners to go with.

[Ashleynne]

I did, no bites unfortunately.

[kiliki]

I typically stick to trails so can't help with an outing, but have you considered the Mountaineers Navigation course? It's a classic, and I bet you meet others to backpack with once you're done.

[Chief Joseph]

I like to go off trail and get a bit lost, it's fun and exciting, no gps, no emergency beacon, just a raw nature experience...my main hiking partner freaks out when we get off track, I find that to be funny.

[Ski]

Mushroom season starts in about a week. No mushrooms on trails. Sometimes you'll find 'em just off the trail, though. Sometimes you have to wander off into the spooky old woods to find 'em.

[BigBrunyon]

I was told by someone who works at the NIKON facility to just WAIT until they figure out how to get the Internet on the phone in ALL locations.

[Ashleynne]

Yeah I have a Zoleo but doesn’t help with navigation obviously.

[Roly Poly]

There’s a FB page for Alpine Lake bagging. It’s a nice group.

[Ashleynne]

It’s probably the hi-lakes one? I made a post in there but since I am not a fisher I think they prefer I stay away so I don’t scare their hobby away. 😅

[timberghost]

Those Hi Lakers and Trail Blazers are a great group of ladies and guys