alpine wanderlust
Search
  • hiking guides
    • intro to hiking
      • how to pick a hike
      • hiking gear
      • hiking basics
      • free resources
    • backpacking guides
      • backpacking 101
      • a guide to washington’s backpacking permit system
      • 10+ north cascades national park backpacking itineraries
    • hiking lists
      • best hikes around seattle
      • a larch guide | 20+ crowd-free washington hikes
      • washington hike-to-scramble progressions
      • 35+ common wildflowers of pnw
    • winter season
      • things to do in the “off-season” // how to hike in the rain
      • winter hiking
      • beginner’s guide to snowshoeing | resources for 20 washington hikes
    • trip report index
  • backcountry skiing
    • the ultimate beginner’s guide to backcountry skiing | washington
    • 25+ low-angle washington ski tours
    • backcountry skiing: tips and tricks
    • comprehensive guide to all my ski tours
  • blog
  • print shop
  • portfolio
    • published work
    • elopement photography
  • about
    • contact
  • hiking guides
    • intro to hiking
      • how to pick a hike
      • hiking gear
      • hiking basics
      • free resources
    • backpacking guides
      • backpacking 101
      • a guide to washington’s backpacking permit system
      • 10+ north cascades national park backpacking itineraries
    • hiking lists
      • best hikes around seattle
      • a larch guide | 20+ crowd-free washington hikes
      • washington hike-to-scramble progressions
      • 35+ common wildflowers of pnw
    • winter season
      • things to do in the “off-season” // how to hike in the rain
      • winter hiking
      • beginner’s guide to snowshoeing | resources for 20 washington hikes
    • trip report index
  • backcountry skiing
    • the ultimate beginner’s guide to backcountry skiing | washington
    • 25+ low-angle washington ski tours
    • backcountry skiing: tips and tricks
    • comprehensive guide to all my ski tours
  • blog
  • print shop
  • portfolio
    • published work
    • elopement photography
  • about
    • contact
  • pnw

    the epitome of spring skiing | rock mountain ski tour

    With a non-ideal weather system coming in, we opted to go a bit further east of the cascade crest with hopes... // 9 miles . 5400 ft gain . 6835 ft high

    April 19, 2023
  • pnw

    first tracks | table mountain circumnavigation via ptarmigan ridge ski tour

    Baker backcountry has been on my list to visit since I first ski toured there right after taking my AIARE 1 class. I think it’s just been... // 10 mi . 3800 ft gain . 5400 ft high

    March 29, 2023
  • pnw

    quiet slopes | avalanche mountain ski tour

    I think people are fairly familiar with Pineapple Pass, Source Lake, and the Chair Peak Circumnavigation. But it seems that as people are chasing the super... // 8 miles . 3000 ft gain . 5330 ft high

    March 22, 2023
  • pnw

    very-much-whoopy | not-so-sasse peak ski tour

    With the weather forecast calling for a snow storm in Western Washington and high winds on the east side, we chose to take on the winds on some lower... // 10 mi . 3500 ft gain. 5844 ft high

    February 20, 2023
  • pnw

    floofy cornice central | lichtenberg mountain ski tour

    The Smithbrook area had been on my radar for a while because there’s plentiful low angle terrain with open slopes, which is less intimidating for a moderate skier like me... // 9 mi . 2500 ft gain. 5844 ft high

    February 14, 2023
  • pnw

    acl recovery | granite mountain

    I wrote Part I shortly after my first major hike just under 3 months post ACL surgery and Part II is about 8 months post surgery in a full circle moment back at Granite...

    November 22, 2022
  • pnw

    hunting for larches | golden lakes loop backpacking

    With the massive Bolt Creek Fire near Index closing Hwy 2 we were optimistic to head up southeast GPW. But driving through the smoke... // 24 miles . 5000 ft gain . 8110 high

    October 4, 2022
  • pnw

    double trouble | boston-sahale traverse c2c

    Boston Peak sees only about 10 parties on its summit each year. I didn’t believe it until... // 12 mi . 6100 ft gain . 8894 ft high

    September 12, 2022
  • pnw

    meet me in the afterglow | eldorado peak overnight

    This marks the third time up and down the heinous boulder fields for me. Personally I love boulder fields, but this one has always punched thoroughly each time... // 9 miles . 6700 ft gain . 8868 ft high

    August 23, 2022
  • pnw

    years in the making | three fingers lookout overnight

    I was first intrigued with Three Fingers Mountain when I drove past Darrington from a short day hike. Looking up, White Horse Mountain caught my attention, but I actually... // 21 miles . 6100 ft gain . 6780 ft high 

    August 17, 2022
  • pnw

    peas for breakfast | jade and marmot lakes, dip top gap

    Jade and Marmot Lakes didn’t get on my radar until much more recently. As someone who chases alpine objectives more than pure backpacking destinations... // 25 miles . 6000 ft gain . 6680 ft high

    August 10, 2022
  • pnw

    still aways | stillaguamish peak

    It’s not too often I go into hikes and climbs with a low chance of reaching the destination. As someone who likes to be outside for... // 9.5 mi . 3600 ft gain . 5450 ft high

    July 7, 2022
  • pnw

    my journey becoming a backcountry skier

    In a world where backcountry skiing has become popular, I wanted to share my story. Backcountry skiing is one of many sports ridiculed in inaccessibility from all aspects, yet it still allures lifelong...

    February 22, 2022
  • pnw

    checking ’em off | switchback + martin peaks

    This is definitely a photo essay. I\'m a bit all written out in terms of trip reports, but this loop-di-loop deserves a space ... // 19.5 mi . 5000 ft gain . 8375 ft high

    October 13, 2021
  • pnw

    technicolor larch dream | chiwaukum loop

    To write or not to write a trip report? That is always a big question. And this is the third time I’ve been to the Chiwaukum within... // 14 mi . 5000 ft gain . 6530 ft high

    September 29, 2021
  • pnw

    long lost lollipop larch loop | chiwaukum via lake ida

    Let the larch marches begin. I didn\'t intend for this to be a march. It was supposed to be short and sweet... But I think our hearts... // 14 miles . 6900 ft gain . 7121 ft high

    September 15, 2021
  • pnw

    slow and steady | thunder mountain lakes backpacking

    I don’t remember how I stumbled upon this campsite, but I’d be lying if Instagram didn’t have a small component of it. I had visited the area another... // 14 miles . 3700 ft gain . 5130 ft high

    September 9, 2021
  • pnw

    bang for your buck | north olympics high route

    I think I was moaning a little too much about not having an “epic adventure”. My friends, however, got me stoked on doing a high route... // 43 miles . 15600 ft gain . 6950 ft high

    September 1, 2021
  • pnw

    rain, rain go away | alpine lakes high route

    It was around noon when we pulled into the parking lot of the West Fork Foss Lakes Trailhead. Looking up, we could see... // 27 miles . 6700 ft gain . 6200 ft high

    August 24, 2021
  • pnw

    feasting and glamping | goldmyer hot springs backpacking

    Glamping at Goldmyer Hot Springs. Naturally, I don’t take things easy and somehow always find a way to... // 22 miles . 1200 ft gain . 2100 ft high

    July 27, 2021
 Older Posts
Newer Posts 

about me

Hi there! I’m Cherlyn and I love to adventure, from climbing mountains to going down canyons. And you won’t find me on any trip without my camera!  Read more…

recent posts

  • pools + ocean | a weekend in santa barbara
  • teanaway getaway | johnson-medra-jungle traverse
  • chasing lupine | 2 day spring itinerary in san francisco
  • classic funfetti birthday tour | washington pass ski tour
  • elevation is no joke | fowler-hilliard hut overnight ski tour

categories

alps asia canada coastal desert engagement europe pnw rockies sierras

follow me

  • facebook
  • instagram
© 2025 // cherlyn eliza photography // all rights reserved.
Back to top