Climb into the picturesque mountains to surround yourself with red leaves and golden larches. There’s nothing that can compare to autumn in the stunning landscapes of places like Mount Rainier and the North Cascades. 😍 Find out the 5 best Fall hikes in Washington that you do not want to miss!
I had the chance to spend an entire Fall season in Washington, and it was truly spectacular. The reds and yellows that blanketed the mountain landscapes were mesmerizing. As someone from the East Coast, I now understand why so many people rave about Fall in Washington. 😮 If you get the opportunity, I highly recommend visiting in September or October.
If you’re planning a trip to this incredible state in autumn, I’ve got you covered. Here are five hikes that showcase some of the most stunning trails during the Fall. Plus, keep reading for tips on exploring Washington’s mountains.
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Table of Contents
5 Best Fall Hikes in Washington
1) Naches Peak, Mount Rainier
You cannot miss seeing Mount Rainier National Park in the fall. There’s no better autumnal hike in Mount Rainier than Naches Peak. 🍁 This wonderful family friendly trail loops around the Sunset area with insane views of the iconic mountain!
Tip: make sure to do this trail in a clockwise direction for the best views of the mountains! 🏔
Walking along the path, you’ll notice reds and yellows on either side of you. It’s like a fall paradise and it will leave you mesmerized. I had the pleasure of bringing my parents on this trail and they were astounded at its beauty! They had no idea Washington was such a great fall destination.
Naches Peak Hike Info
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation: 650 feet of gain
Type: Loop
Length: 1.5-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
2) Colchuck Lake & Enchantments, Leavenworth
Colchuck may be one of the most stunning lakes in the United States, while the Enchantments is full of vibrant alpine lakes. You can make this hike a bit easier by just taking on Colchuck or continue on a brutal challenge 🥵 through the Enchantments traverse.
‘The Enchantments is one of the most difficult day hikes in the US, so it should only be taken on by experienced hikers!
The air is perfectly crisp in the Fall and you’ll see stupendous reflections in Colchuck Lake. When you get into the Enchantments Core, you will notice larches all around. There’s nothing more stunning than seeing a blue lake next to bright yellow trees and it’s one of the best places to see that. ⭐️
Colchuck Lake & Enchantments Hike Info
Distance: 8.7 or 20 miles
Elevation: 2300 feet of gain or 4700 feet of gain and 7000 descent
Type: Out and Back or Loop
Length: 4-6 hours for Colchuck, 12-15 hours for Enchantments
Difficulty: Hard
3) Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm, North Cascades
Wow, if you have the chance to do Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm, you must! I didn’t have many expectations going into this hike, but it completely blew me away. 🤯 The entire mountain side had gorgeous colors with rugged mountains as the backdrop.
Although, if you want to take on this trail, I recommend going in September! By early October there was already snow at the top. ❄️
Many people stop at Cascade Pass, but if you go beyond it you’ll be in for a treat. If you’re really lucky, you can even score permits to backpack overnight at the Sahale Glacier. 🏕 With mountain views all around, it’s a trail that you need to add to your bucket list!
Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm Hike Info
Distance: 11.6 miles
Elevation: 3900 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 5-8 hours
Difficulty: Hard
4) Chain Lakes, Mount Baker
Drive up to Artist’s Point in Mount Baker and you will already be amazed at the stunning surroundings. Artist’s Point is an apt name, because this mountain landscape looks like it’s straight out of a painting. 🎨 But, then continue on the Chain Lakes trail and you’ll be in a mountain paradise.
Chain Lakes takes you from Artist’s Point to enchanting views over Mt Shukshan, Mt Baker, and the lakes below. As you wander along this path, you’ll notice bright reds and yellows covering the mountain side.
You’ll seriously feel as if you’ve stumbled upon a masterpiece when you do the Chain Lakes hike.
Chain Lakes Hike Info
Distance: 6.2 miles
Elevation: 1700 feet of gain
Type: Loop
Length: 3.5-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
5) Maple Pass, North Cascades
This hike is the only hike on this list that I haven’t had the pleasure of doing myself. But, it’s well known as being one of the best fall hikes in the country! 🍂 Sadly, there was a fire that closed it when we were in the area, so we have to return.
Maple Pass is famous for the stunning golden larches that surround the lakes in the fall. You’ll also get insane views of the mountains all around and it will feel like you’ve entered larch heaven. I cannot wait to do this trail one day in the fall!
Maple Pass Hike Info
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation: 2100 feet of gain
Type: Loop
Length: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Things to Know About Hiking in Fall in Washington
Hiking in the mountains of Washington in autumn, means you need to take some precautions. Find out all the tips that you need to know before you go on your adventurous hike in this beautiful state!
Fall Weather in Washington
In autumn, Washington begins to feel crisp and cool. In September and October skies are often clear ☀️ and temperatures are dropping but aren’t too cold yet. By November, the temperatures are usually in the 40s in the mountains and rainy days increase.
September and October are fantastic months to hike in Washington!
In late September and early October there is even a chance of snow at higher elevations! Places like Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and the North Cascades get a lot of snowfall. So, look into the trail conditions before your visit by checking Alltrails reviews.
Packing Guide for Fall Hikes in Washington
Washington Fall can bring unpredictable trail conditions. Some trails may be completely clear, while others may have snow already at higher elevations. So, it’s best to be prepared!
If you are planning on going on a fall hike in Washington then I recommend bringing microspikes, warm layers, and waterproof layers. Washington is known as being a rainy and wet state! 🌧 If you bring those items then you should be ready for a great day out on the trails. You can read my full packing list below.
Packing List
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Day Pack
- Hiking poles
- Water Reservoir
- Microspikes (depending on the trail conditions)
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Headlamp
- Rain jacket
- Light winter jacket
- Satellite phone
- Camera Clip
Visiting National Parks in Washington
People in Washington love to hike and visitors often come in from out of state as well. So, you can expect a lot of crowds on the trails if you go on a weekend. If you want to have the trails to yourself consider going early in the morning or on week days!
If you plan on visiting multiple parks, make sure to get an America the Beautiful Pass to save money! 🎫
It’s also important to follow all rules in the parks and be respectful of other visitors. There are no drones allowed in parks and you should always pick up your trash. Just make sure to leave no trace so others can enjoy these beautiful places as well!
Final Tips for Hiking in Washington
Explore the rugged landscapes of the mountains covered in red leaves and golden larches. 🤩 As long as you’re prepared with warm layers and quality hike boots you’ll be ready to take on the trails. If you are coming out of town, try to acclimate for a couple days before taking on any trails at high elevations. These are truly the best fall hikes in Washington, so you’ll love them!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this guide!
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Gosh darn it, these photos!! Breathtaking! So lucky you got to do all these in the fall! Definitely a fall bucket list trip 😍
Yes, I would love to go back and do even more!
I absolutely loved Maple Pass! And Cascade Pass and Enchantments are so high on my list! Such a great guide
Yes you have to!