Seattle Branch Wild West Backpack

About The Award

A profile badge for backpacking in eight of the ten western states, not including Washington State.  From the Sawtooth Mountains to the Grand Canyon, from the Wind River Range to the Lost Coast, the West holds such an amazing array of environments.  Backpacking is a wonderful way to experience that diversity.

How To Obtain

Backpack in eight (8) of the following ten (10) western states, whether a one night or multi-night trip.  Some popular areas for backpacking in each state are indicated.  Please note there are many more possibilities beyond what is listed below.

• Arizona (Grand Canyon NP, Superstition Mountains)
• California (Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP, Lost Coast Trail)
• Colorado (Rocky Mountain NP, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness)
• Idaho (Sawtooth Mountains, Salmon River Trail)
• Montana (Glacier NP, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness)
• Nevada (Tahoe Rim Trail, Jarbidge Wilderness)
• New Mexico (Gila Wilderness, Pecos Wilderness)
• Oregon (Eagle Cap Wilderness, Three Sisters Wilderness)
• Utah (Cedar Mesa/ Grand Gulch, High Uintas) 
• Wyoming (Yellowstone NP, Wind River Range)

Trips can be Mountaineers backpacking trips OR private with non-Mountaineers team members.  Trips can be done while a member of the Mountains OR NOT.  Trips must be done in accordance with Leave No Trace principles and in accordance with the policies of all relevant local land management agencies, including the use of valid permits, proper food storage and acceptable resupply practices, etc.  Trips that span multiple states count for each state in which the party camps overnight.  For example, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), counts for California and Oregon.

Contact

Contact the Seattle Backpacking Committee chair.  Include the dates of your trip, your start/ finish trailhead, and the names of any other people in your party.