Royal Basin Backpacking

🏕️ Backpacking Trip – Royal Creek to Upper Royal Basin
📍 Olympic National Park
🗓️ June 27-28 | Leader Permission Required

Join us for a magical overnight adventure into one of the Olympic Peninsula’s most beautiful alpine basins! We’ll hike through lush forests, alongside cascading creeks, and into high country filled with wildflowers, waterfalls, and stunning views.

🌲 Trip Overview
This will be a moderate backpacking trip, starting from the Upper Dungeness Trailhead. We’ll hike at a slow to moderate pace for about 3.5 miles, gaining approximately 1,800 feet, to reach Royal Creek Camp. After setting up camp, we’ll continue on a lighter day hike to Royal Lake and explore the breathtaking Upper Royal Basin, depending on group interest and energy.

🏞️ Highlights

• Camp near Royal Creek in a peaceful forest setting
• Explore Royal Lake and its surrounding alpine scenery
• Visit Upper Royal Basin, home to milky blue tarns and Arrowhead Meadow
• Views of towering peaks, talus slopes, and waterfalls
• Classic Olympic National Park wilderness experience
• https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/royal-basin.htm

🎒 What to Expect

• Roundtrip trail mileage: ~7–10 miles (depending on exploration)
• Elevation gain to camp: ~1,800 ft
• Terrain: Forest trail, creek crossings, alpine meadows
• Possible snow patches or muddy trail sections in early season
• Group pace: relaxed and steady

🧰 What to Bring

• Backpacking gear for one night
• Layers for changing alpine weather
• Water filter, trekking poles, and the 10 essentials
• Bear canister (required) – bring your own or borrow one at the WIC (Wilderness Information Center)
• Camera for capturing those views!

🎟️ Leader permission required – contact the leader to join.

Whether you’re looking for a scenic overnight escape or a stepping stone to more alpine adventures, this trip offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy one of the Pacific Northwest’s hidden gems.

#BackpackingOlympics #RoyalBasinAdventure #OvernightHike #RoyalLake #WashingtonBackpacking #PNWExplorers #OlympicNationalPark