easy hike suggestion?

[forrest_m]

planning a 3-day backpacking trip for me, my wife, our 7-month old baby and 3 friends from out of town who aren't very outdoorsy. would like to hike max. 2 hours (at a moderate pace) to a lake, camp two nights, come home. had thought perhaps lake annette near rainy pass? but something closer to seattle would be nice. TIA.

[whidbey]

I would think Sauk Mountain would fit your needs. Maybe three hours from trailhead near Rockport on Hiway 20. Sauk Lake is below the summit and the berries should be good to go.

[fishstick]

What about Yellow Aster Butte?

 

It has a great trail, good campsites, fantastic views, good wandering for the non-outdoorsy types, multiple tarns, is open enough to keep the bugs down if there's a breeze...

 

It's one of those settings that your guests will remember for the rest of their lives.

 

GB

[TrogdortheBurninator]

Rachel Lake by snoqualmie pass is really a nice place to spend a few nights. The hike in is a little steep, but only for the last section of the trail.

 

I have walked past merritt lake on the way to lost lake, and that seems like it might also meet your needs.

 

For non-outdoorsies and two nights, I think a lake is mostly likely to keep the crew occupied and happy compared to a vista.

[Norman_Clyde]

Lake Ann has great views of lower Curtis Glacier on Shuksan. Five miles in, with a fair amount of elevation change (the climbing is mainly at the end on the return)-- might be close to the limit of the casual camper's tolerance.

[forrest_m]

thanks for the suggestions. we ended up opting for yellow aster butte, which was lovely. gourmet meals were consumed. blueberries were picked. sunsets were watched. lakes were swum in. diapers were changed. in short, a good time was had by all.