Backpacking & Camping At Talapus Lake

Talapus Lake located near North Bend, WA, and it's a perfect destination for beginner backpackers !

BUT...

In the summer, this hiking trail is heavily trafficked, and limited number of designated camping spots by the lake, makes this trip hard to plan...

In this post I want to share a few tips that I wish I knew before planning the trip...

Best Tip :

If possible, try to go mid-week... Head out late in the afternoon ( about 3-4 pm )... By that time, most day hikers are gone, and there are more chances to snatch a nice camping spot by the lake ! 

Second Best :

We found designated camping spots only at Talapus Lake, but nothing around Olallie Lake ( which was our second choice )

Driving/directions :

Close to Seattle ( about an hour drive ), and easy to find... Even though the last mile or so is dirt road, it's wide enough, and potholes are drivable even for sedans...

Parking :

Another reason to plan your trip mid-week is it's hard to find parking on a busy summer weekend ( often, you'd have to park half a mile away from the trailhead )

Fees :

You'll need a Discovery Pass AND to pay additional $5 Northwest Forest Pass ( the letter you can just pay cash at the trailhead, or buy beforehand at local REI )

The hike :

The trail is very well maintained, and marked making it impossible to get lost... The trail ascends gently making it perfect for kids, dogs, and first time backpackers... 

It took us about 2 hours to get from the trailhead to the lake ( making one stop at Olallie Lake for a quick picture, and another stop to hydrate ), and less than 2 hours on the way back...

>>>IMPORTANT<<<

Camping at the lake :

Lake camping is on "first come first serve" basis...

We were lucky to snatch a decent spot by the lake... There are only 4-5 designated camping spots around the lake... If you're not that lucky, you'll might have to share a spot with others, or camp someplace else away from the lake... 

Camp fires are not allowed ( but doubt anybody will say anything if you start a small one "to keep bugs away" )...

The lake is pretty small, and acoustics is superb... so try to keep it quiet to respect others around you...

At night, the moon shines super bright, so you might bring your sleeping mask ( and maybe a pair of earplugs to get a good night sleep ).

Gear To Bring :

It's an easy hike/backpacking trip, so you won't need much !

Water is definitely one things you won't have to worry about ( bring a water filter, or a stove to boil water ).

A bug spray is definitely a must ! I'd also recommend to bring a mosquito face net ( worked great for us ! ).

With many trees all around, it would make a great "hammock camping" destination ( if you've never tried before ) !

If you can fit it in your backpack, bring a float/mattress to relax on the lake...

Love fishing ?

Despite of how small Talapus Lake is, it offers great fishing ! The lake has mainly small wild rainbow trout, but it's fun to catch and release !

Wildlife :

Because of its popularity, wildlife is used to people, and feel quite comfortable ( sometimes kinda demanding :)) begging for food... Even though you're not suppose to feed them, we shared a few nuts with a few chipmunks...

DON'T LEAVE FOOD lying around cause those furry thieves will get get into your backpack/tent !

And definitely don't leave food in the open for the night to avoid attracting bigger "visitors"... 

All in all, this is a perfect "introduction to backpacking" trip for people of all ages, and physical abilities !

Make Money While You Sleep With Therm-a-Rest Affiliate Program

Whether you're an avid hiker, backpacker, camper, or an adventurer in general, you know that getting comfortable night time sleep is important for you.

Amazon Images

And if you've ever slept on one of Therm-a-Rest's self inflating sleeping pads, you know that Thern-a-Rest is all about comfort !

Why focus on comfort ?

REI Co-op Quarter Dome Air Hammock For Hiking, Backpacking, & Camping

If you loved REI's Quarter Dome tent, you'll love REI Co-op Quarter Dome Air Hammock !

A minimalist alternative to a tent, the REI Quarter Dome Air hammock packs light, sets up easy and provides a structured, open sleeping area up off the ground with a stowable bug net for protection.

This 1-person new backcountry hammock from REI combines elements of both tent and traditional hammock design.

Would You Pay $500 For A Camping Chair ?

In theory, camping should be a very inexpensive activity since you are literally sleeping on the ground. But as with everything in modern day society, the simpler it appears the more expensive it actually is. Most people see the activity of loading up their SUV with a mountain of camping gear ( just so they'd spend a night or two in the woods ) as the highlight of their camping trip.

Plus, ( some ) camping gear nowadays is getting ridiculously expensive !

Like this carbon fiber camp chair from GCI Outdoor for merley ... $500 (!!!)

ExtraHyperActive Bucket List : Hike Preikestolen ( Also Known As Pulpit Rock ) In Norway

The Most Breathtaking Picture Of Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock, or Preikestolen in Norway  is the most famous tourist attraction in the Stavanger region. The mountain plateau hangs 604 meters above sea level, and a destination that simply must be experienced. You follow a well marked trail from the Preikestolen Fjellstue through different mountain landscapes. The plateau is approximately 25 x 25 metres, flat and you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Lysefjord and surrounding mountains !

I've added this hike/destination to my Bucket List ! Have you ?

Testing Ahnu Hiking/Backpacking Boots On Mt Si

Mount Si, the monolith looming over Interstate 90 at North Bend, is Northwest icon, Washington state's most popular hiking trail, and the proven training ground for anybody getting ready to summit Mt Rainier.

But whether you dream of summiting Rainier, skiing Mt Adams, trad climbing Mt Shuksan, or hiking/backpacking the Wonderland Trail, Mt Si is the place to test yourself and your gear.

As I mentioned in my previous post, choosing a pair of good hiking boots can be the difference between a memorable experience and a miserable misadventure.

Recently, on a typical PNW winter day, I put my pair of Ahnu's Coburn hiking boots to a grueling test through dirt, mud, puddles and snow of Mt Si's 4-mile hike with about 3500 ft elevation gain.

Having summited both Rainier and Shuksan, and thru-hiked the 18 miles  Enchantments Traverse (aka the Death March), I knew exactly what I was looking for in hiking/backpacking boots.

Without getting too technical, I'll just focus on a few specs that were especially important to me :

Whether you are a hard core thru-hiker or a casual weekend warrior ( like me ), the Ahnu's Coburn hiking boots are light, breathable, waterproof, and will work great in all weather conditions and on any terrain.

My feet get easily cold. Keeping them dry and warm ( but not overheated ) is extremely important to me. After hiking for 3 hours in mud, puddles, and snow, at the end, my feet remained warm and (relatively) dry.

Leather boots tend to be on a heavy side. Same goes for synthetic ones once they get wet, adding weight and slowing you down. And we all know that a pound on the feet is like eight on your back. Even on the way back, the Coburn boots were as light as at the beginning of the hike.

Whether you are going on a leisure hike on a relatively flat trail, or  scrambling over piles of rock, the taller ankle height is a welcome feature for hikers who are looking for greater ankle support without having to upgrade to much bigger, stiffer, heavier boots.

Non-marking, slip resistant lugs provide the ultimate grip and traction. I was especially blown away by this feature ! In winter, the upper part of Mt Si's trail is (almost always) covered with snow requiring hikers to use either spikes or snowshoes. The boots' aggressive tread was amazing at gripping both wet rocks and snow. One of my knees is messed up, and I'm always concerned about slipping/sliding on the way down, even with extra effort (on my part) it was hard for me to make these boots slide.

All in all, the boots answered all the questions asked  when it comes to choosing a great pair of hiking/backpacking boots.

Now, the last question left unanswered - " How long will they last ? "

Hiking Lake Ingalls In Alpine Lakes Wilderness

There are a few great hikes that go to Lake Ingalls. The 31 mile out and back, Ingalls Creek trail is one of the most strenuous, longest ( and loneliest ) in the whole Alpine Lake Wilderness. Few hikers complete the entire trail.
Lake Ann- Ingalls Peak loop is shorter ( 19 miles).

But even more hikers ( including me ) plan a short ( 10.8 miles round trip) and easy day hike straight to Lake Ingalls.

I hear that Lake Ingalls is a popular destination and draws crowds of people in summer time. Though, parking lot was full, we didn't meet too many people along the way or even by the lake.

A couple cool features of the trail :

Ingalls Pass is dotted with many great camping spots ( official with toilets and ...."less official" ).

Mountain goats roam around the lake as if they owe the place ( one particular goat struck a pose and practically told me : " It's time for you to go").

Ingalls Lake is beautiful, inviting and...freezingly cold. Yet, a few "brave" hikers reward themselves with a cool dip ( or a cold plunge ) in the lake.

If you happen to have "hiking fishing gear" among your "10 essentials" ( fish hooks, line and some artificial lures ), try your luck fishing for trout. Want to have more "fish fun" ? Try "trout tickling" :)

One piece of gear I would recommend - insect repellent.

For a guide book, check out Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness