I did a loop backpack trip over 4 1/2 days: Deer Park, Badger Valley, Cameron Basin, Dosewallips, Gray Wolf River, Deer Park.
Overall - a great loop for 4 1/2 days. (3 days would have been ok but would make for long days and 4 days would have been plenty but I had extra time). Lots of up and down and variety, from the initial ridge hike with sweeping views, to lush/brushy valley hikes, carpeted trails in old growth, swimmable lakes and alpine/rocky valleys and passes. Bonus with the ripe huckleberries and blueberries (and a few thimbleberries).
Notes and details:
- Day 1 - Deer park campground trailhead to Badger valley (via Elk creek trail) before Obstruction point - 11.7 miles, 2,900 ft elev gain, 6 1/2 hours
- More up and down than I expected along the ridge, but great views. Water unavailable until about 1/2 mile down from the ridge. Some up and down through the valley on decent tread (with some roots/rocks). Swam in Grand Lake and Moose Lake. Preferred Moose lake for the camping (nice sites next to lakes) and swimming (clearer water/less algae). Wildfire smoke and haze during the day.
- Day 2 - Badger Valley (Moose Lake camp) over Grand Pass to Upper Cameron Basin camp - 6.7 miles, 2,651 ft elev gain, 5 hours
- Great views going up and over the pass via switchbacks and easy to follow trail. (I slipped on a loose rock and pulled my hamstring after the pass, so the rest of the hike was a challenge and slowed me down). More short, steepish uphill (and some brushy) sections on the way to Upper Cameron than I expected. A few decent campsites below and above the waterfall. (no signage and no pit toilet). Worsened smoke and haze until late in the evening.
- Day 3 - Upper Cameron basin over Cameron and Lost Passes to Bear Camp - 5.8 miles, 1,193 ft elev gain, 4 hours
- Another pass with some steep switchback sections on small scree (I was glad I was going up and not down - it wasn't too slippery but I didn't want to fall again). After the long up and down from Cameron pass, getting over Lost pass seemed easy (gradual elevation gain through meadows). A long descent to Dosewallips and easy gradual trail (with some brushy sections) down to Bear Camp. (Two nice campsites across the creek). Toilet available.
- Day 4 - Bear Camp down Dosewallips and over Gray Wolf pass to Falls camp - 10 miles, 2,646 ft elev gain, 7 hours
- Easy, brushy trail (with huckleberries) down to the turnoff for Gray Wolf pass. Kind of slog going up many switchbacks in the woods to get to Gray Wolf pass. I took a nice swim in the little lake on the left about 1/2 mile down over the pass. More brushy trail from the pass to Falls camp, which has one decent campsite next to the trail and two up next to the meadow. (no toilet).
- Day 5 - Falls camp to Deer Park trailhead - 10.49 miles, 3,252 elev. gain, 5 hours.
- Nice spongy tread through old growth along the Gray River made for easy going until the long switchback on smooth tread on Three Forks trail up to Deer Park. (limited water on that trail). Ellis and Gray Wolf Camps looked nicer than Falls camp so next time I might stay at either of those instead). It was great to go from dense fog in the valley to bright blue skies at the pass.
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