Family backpacking to Greenwaters Lake

A few weeks ago, we survived our first family backpacking trip! 

Scott had been planning this trip for a while so we were all geared up and ready to leave early on Saturday to Greenwaters Lake Trailhead, which is about 1.5 hrs away towards Mt Rainier. The kids were mostly excited about the trip, especially Nora. In fact, she had been sick with a fever and I was adamant she couldn't go if she was sick so she woke herself up super early on Sat and got herself dressed and ready to go to prove to me that she was fine. 

The trail we picked was very pretty, fairly flat and a lot of fun in that it took us over 6 streams and 7 bridges. We found a great campsite about 2.5 miles in that was right along the river and plenty roomy enough for our party of 8. 

For meals, we each packed in sandwiches, ramen and MREs from REI (we each had fun selecting one!). We spent a lot of time poking the fire (yay for being early enough in the season that campfires are allowed), playing in and along the river, fishing and reading. 

We packed everything including our trash back up the next day and hiked back out pretty quickly. All in all, I give the experience a solid 9/10. It was a really good intro into backpacking and we are ready for our next one!

Kids were all smiles at the beginning of the trip.

The trail hugged the river for a lot of it.

One of the 7 bridges we crossed.

Another bridge

Stream crossings were fun

Our crew

Our campsite

Eating ramen

Kids made the fire using a flint and steel! They were so proud of themselves.

Time to head back out.

A quick stop overlooking a lake.

Selfie on the bridge, on the way home.

Nora was pretty tired on the way back and napped while Scott fished.

Backpacks off while we took a water break.

One of the fishies Scott caught. All too small to eat.

Kids at the end of the trip.