Trapper Creek Wilderness Backpacking Trip
The low elevation forested canyons of Trapper Creek Wilderness provide an easy getaway for relaxing backpacking trips.
ITINERARY
- day 1 – Trapper Creek trailhead to campsite: 3.5 miles, 825 ft. gain, 460 ft. loss
- day 2 – day hike: 6 miles roundtrip, 670 ft. gain/loss
- day 3 – hike out: 3.5 miles, 460 ft. gain, 825 ft. loss
TRIP PLANNING
- best months: May – June
- location: Trapper Creek Wilderness; nearest town: Carson
- land management: Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Mount Adams Ranger District
- trail conditions: Trapper Creek Trailhead
- hike description: Washington Trails Association – Trapper Creek
- permits: self-issued at the trailhead
- trailhead pass: NW Forest Pass required
- note: this area was heavily impacted by the 2020 Big Hollow Wildfire – see Safety Tips for Burned Areas
My first backpacking trip of the year was focused on spending time relaxing in the forest and practicing photography skills. We spent two nights and explored the side trails on Trapper Creek. I’ve been taking a landscape photography class and wanted to practice using my tiny tripod. There are quite a few creek crossings, so we had plenty of chances to work on capturing moving water and lovely little forest scenes.
Our trip ended with a bang, literally. We woke up at 6am with the crashing sound of loud thunder so we packed up and hit the trail in record time. It barely rained on us, but thunder and lightning continued for two of the three miles back to the trailhead.
