North Cascades Backpacking Trek

July 16-19, 2026

Cascade Pass + Sahale Glacier + Doubtful Lake

The Mountains Are Calling…

Have you ever wanted to try backpacking, but the idea of knowing what gear to pack, how to do it safely, knowing where to go, or what permits you need is just too overwhelming?

Then this is the trip for you!

Join Kelsey and your fellow Camp KK Campers for a backpacking trip in the North Cascades National Park!

This trip is PERFECT for you if you are a “camping curious woman,” who has always wanted to try backpacking but didn’t know where to start.

This trip is PERFECT for you if you are new to hiking and backpacking.

This trip is PERFECT for you if you have some backcountry experience under your belt and want to trek into the beautiful North Cascades Park without having to fight for a permit (yep, cuz we already got ‘em!)

This “done for you” style of adventure allows you to just show up and enjoy! The planning, PRO PHOTOS, most meals, logistics, and YES (almost) all the gear is included!

  • Show up with your clothes and boots.

  • Enjoy the adventure.

  • And make new friends with your fellow Campers!

And the best part, it’s just a long weekend adventure, so you can come hike with us without being away from home for too long!

TRIP DETAILS + ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY!

Arrive at the hotel in Burlington, WA (about 75 miles north of Seattle Airport).

Welcome meeting and packing party

Welcome dinner

July 16, 2026 | Burlington, WA

July 17, 2026

Burlington » Cascade Pass Trailhead

Cascade Pass Trailhead » Basecamp

DAY 2: Hiking Day!

Depart hotel for the Cascade Pass Trailhead (2-hour drive)

Hike 4.4 miles to basecamp at Pelton Basin Camp.

  • Set up camp/tents (everyone will have their own tent)

  • Lunch + Dinner provided

  • We will sleep at Basecamp in our tents.

Leave the camping gear behind at basecamp and trek with a lighter pack to the legendary Sahale Glacier and Doubtful Lake!

  • This is about a 7.3 mile hike RT

  • Backpacking breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided.

  • We will sleep at Basecamp in our tents.

July 18, 2026

BaseCamp » Sahale Glacier » Doubtful Lake

DAY 3: DAY HIKE

July 19, 2026

Basecamp » Trailhead » Drive back to Burlington

DAY 4: HIKE BACK

Have breakfast and then leave Basecamp, hiking back to the trailhead

  • Hike down Cascade Pass Trail back to the trailhead and our van.

  • Lunch at Upriver Grill in Marblemount

  • Arrive back at Burlington hotel. Unpack gear + head home!

BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE!

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 25 at 9:00am PST

4 days | 9 Spots | Women’s Trip

High Activity Level (🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾 / 5)

Early Bird Pricing $2499

Only $499 reserves your spot!

$2,799 Regular Price after March 31

Camp KK | North Cascades Backpacking Trip

  • Early Bird Single Room $2,499 (only $499 due today)

  • Regular Price after March 31: $2799

  • Final remaining balance due 60 days prior to trip  (May 16, 2026)

  • Trip Includes:

    • Turnkey backpacking experience: just bring your boots & clothes!

    • 1 night hotel accommodation (single room - no roommate)

    • 2 nights / 3 days in the backcountry

    • Welcome meeting and pre-trek packing party at the hotel

    • Welcome dinner

    • Transportation to/from the trailhead

    • 2 certified wilderness guides

    • Backpacking meals (2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner)

    • All core gear (borrowed): such as backpacks, tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, meals, trekking poles, and more!

    • WhatsApp group text

    • Pre-trip group Zoom meeting: meet your fellow Campers, ask questions, and get the safety briefing from the team.

    • Professional photos of the trip experience

    • Access to trip planning advisor, Caitlin Sommers

    • A transformative experience you will NEVER forget! (I know it sounds cheesy - but it’s true!)

GOT QUESTIONS? I GOT ANSWERS!

  • 1 night hotel stay (single room)

    Borrowed backpacking gear

    All meals except lunch on July 16 and lunch on July 19

    2 professional guides leading the trip

    North Cascades National Park Backcountry Permits

    Professional photos during the trip with Kelsey!

    Individual trip coordination with our team travel advisor, Caitlin Sommers!

    Private WhatsApp Chat Group

    Pre trip group Zoom meeting including safety briefing (mandatory)

    A transformative and empowering experience that you will NEVER forget!

  • Transportation to/from Burlington, WA

    July 16: Lunch is not included. Grab lunch before you arrive/check in! Bring snacks!

    July 19:

    • Lunch in Marblemount on our way back to Burlington

    • Additional night at the hotel if desired

    Also NOT included:

    • Gratuities for our wonderful guides. Not required, but highly recommended!

    • Travel insurance.

    • Personal expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, shopping.

    • Any items or services not specifically mentioned

  • Yepper Peppers!

    You didn’t think an adventure trip with me WOULDN’T include a photo element?

    I will have my camera out snapping trip photos to capture your experience as well as beautiful candid moments of you on the trip!

    And yes - you will learn my signature posing tips!!

  • Thats right! Every Camp KK Camper will have access to their own Individual Travel Coordinator: Caitlin Sommers!

    Caitlin will be available to you for any questions, travel needs, or extensions you might want to add to your trip!

    She’s here to help make your trip experience smooth so you don’t have to sweat the details and focus on having fun, relaxing, exploring, and connecting!

  • Kelsey has teamed up with Hike Cascades who will be our local tour operator for the guided hikes!

    Our 2 female guide(s) who are coming with us, are wilderness first aid and rescue certified and have high levels of experience trekking the areas we will be visiting.

    We will have a mandatory welcome Zoom meeting before the trip to answer questions and go over safety protocols.

  • The best way to get from Seattle-Tacoma International airport is by the Bellair Charters & Airporter bus.

    • Please take the 1:00pm bus to Burlington.

    • Bus arrives at 2:55pm at the Burlington Bellair station which is a 6 min drive to the hotel. You can Uber to the hotel or one of us can come and get you!

    Alternative Transport

    • Renting a car

    • Carpooling with other Campers coming from Seattle

    • Light Rail Train (every 10 min) from the airport to International District Station, then walk to Amtrak bus/train station for service to Mount Vernon (e.g. 11:00am departure arrives at Mount Vernon by 12:30pm)

  • All of your core gear items you will need to go backpacking will be provided for you, such as: backpack, tent, food, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlamp, trekking poles, water filter, stove and MORE will be provided for you to borrow for the trip.

    Camp KK Campers will be sent a full packing list. However, expect to pack your boots, personal hygiene products and clothes such as raincoat, base layers, hiking pants, socks, hat and puffy coat.

    Most meals (except the ones listed) will be provided but you can always pack your favorite snacks!

    NOTE: If you have your own backpacking gear, you are WELCOME to bring it!

  • Going with the flow - especially with weather - is the hallmark of a true adventurer!

    We have a professional guiding outfitter and 2 guides with us who will be leading our trip and monitoring the weather. Luckily we are going during a time when the weather is generally beautiful.

    However, PNW weather is unpredictable, so plan on bringing a rain coat!

  • No worries, friend! Please make sure to tell me what your allergies are in your intake form so we can accommodate you accordingly!

  • Camp KK Adventures are meant for women (yes, that includes incredible trans women too)!

    There’s something about when feminine energy comes together in adventure and exploration. It’s magical!

    Please note, the goal is to have 2 women guides on this trip, but in the off chance we have a male guide on our trip - they will be pre approved “cool, respectful and can be one of the ladies” by Kelsey!

  • Please check out the “Grit-O-Meter” below that explains the “grittiness” level of this trip.

    This trip is a 5/5 GRIT level trip

    It includes hikes every day we are in the backcountry ranging from 4-7 miles with elevation gain.

    You don’t need to be a fitness model to attend, but a base level of healthy fitness is a must.

    Slow hikers are welcome and my groups tend to be slower since we love taking pictures along the way!

    This adventure is NOT for you if you are unable to walk up a hill.

    Please email the team if you have concerns or questions!

  • Yes! If nature calls, you will need to do your business in the woods! We will teach you proper “pooping wild” etiquette to minimize impact.

    We also will teach you how to pee in the woods too! It’s actually quite freeing!

Have more questions? Email the team at admin@kelseykurtis.com

WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?

Camp KK Trips are what we call “GRIT-LUXE™” adventures. You will have a beautiful, inclusive, and safe adventure, but there will always be a “gritty” element to help push you out of your comfort zone.

The Grit-O-Meter is the system to help you understand the physical and “gritty” requirements for each Camp KK Trip.

1 Grit Boot = Comfortable hotel accommodations and limited hiking / physical requirements.

5 Grit Boots = Ultimate Grit Needed! We will be hiking up mountains, pooping in the woods, and sleeping in tents.

THIS TRIP: 🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾 / 5 Grit Boots

5/5 Grit Boots because you need to be in healthy physical condition to complete the trek as well as be prepared to exist/live in the woods without facilities for 3 days.

  • Hiking Day 1: There will be a 4.4 mile hike with 1,790ft elevation to Basecamp.

    • Day 1 Hiking Distance / Elevation Range: 4.4 mi range: 3645' to 5396' gross: +1787' -646'

    Hiking Day 2: There is a 7.3 mile day hike with 3,450ft elevation gain to Sahale Glacier and Doubtful Lake. We won’t be hiking with all of our backpacking gear - just food, water, and layers for the day.

    If you prefer to stay at Basecamp for the day, it is an optional adventure - but HIGHLY recommended. You can choose to do the whole thing , just go down to Doubtful Lake, or stay at Basecamp!

    • Day 2 Day Hike Distance / Elevation Range: 7.3 mi range: 4786' to 7541' gross: +3450' -3448'

      • Only Sahale Hike: distance: 6.29mi range: 4786' to 7557' gross: +2778'-2778'

      • Only Doubtful Lake Hike: distance: 4.26mi range: 4786' to 6082' gross: +1982'-1982'

    Hiking Day 3: There will be a 4.4 mile hike with declining elevation back to the trailhead from basecamp.

    • Day 3 Hike Distance / Elevation Range: 4.37 mi range: 3645' to 5396' gross: +646 -1787’

    • We will be in the backcountry of the North Cascades There are no toilet facilities, so you will learn how to “do your business” in the woods. If you don’t want to do this - this trip is NOT for you.

    • You will be hiking into the mountains at elevation and carrying your own gear. If you expect a flat or moderate walk in the woods, and expect others to carry your gear - this trip is NOT for you.

    • You will be sleeping in tents and on sleeping pads while in the backcountry. If you are expecting hotel accommodations for each night- this trip is NOT for you.

    • If you have trouble walking up hills - this is NOT the trip for you.

    • We will have two wilderness safety-certified guides with us to ensure safety and care. If you do not plan to respect their authority and safety measures, as well as practice Leave No Trace ethics, this trip is NOT for you.

    • BUT - if you DO want to leap into this adventure and step out of your comfort zone, hike up a mountain, sleep in a tent, pee on a tree and have the most mind blowing experience - then this trip IS FOR YOU!

MEET YOUR TRIP LEADER: KELSEY KURTIS!

Adventure is necessary. Adventure is fuel for our souls.

Adventure is what helps shift perspectives, open up new ideas, and can instantly ground you - even when you feel like you're spinning in your day-to-day life and career!

That’s why I decided to create Camp KK adventures. To create space and provide an intentional break in the life tornado. Providing a breath. Providing a mental vacation. And most importantly … providing FUN!

Camp KK is for you to come and take intentional time away from the demands of life.

For the burden of planning to be lifted off your shoulders. The mental admin to shut off.

All you have to do is show up and enjoy! For you to explore nature and meet new friends. And of course … leave with incredible professional photos shot by yours truly that remind you of what an absolute badass you are!

I am so happy you’re here and I hope you can join us on this adventure!

Ready to go? Book your spot!

What makes Camp KK Adventure Trips different?

Anyone can put a backpack on and hike a mountain, so what makes Camp KK adventures so special?

  • Done for you style of adventure! The planning and logistics are taken care of! You have enough planning and “taking care of everyone else” in your regular life. Let me take that off your plate, so all you have to do is show up and have a great time!

  • Women Only Trips*: Meet your new best friend, hiking buddy, or new encouraging spirit in your life! These trips are meant for women to support women and connect through their feminine energy and power!

    *Women means ALL women. Yes, that means trans women are welcome too! 🏳️‍⚧️

  • Professional Photography: Ohh yes! This is a MAJOR bonus element of Camp KK Adventures! I will bring my 16 years of experience as a professional photographer, capturing your adventure in the most dreamy of landscapes so you can share professional, breathtaking images with your family, friends, and on social!

  • Individual Travel Coordinator: Our team travel coordinator, Caitlin Sommers, will be available to you for any questions, travel needs, or extensions you might want to add to your trip! She’s here to help make your trip experience smooth so you don’t have to sweat the details and focus on having fun, relaxing, exploring, and connecting!

  • GRIT-LUXE™ Style Travel: Grit-Luxe™ is a term Kelsey created to describe her trips. The goal of Camp KK is to make adventure accessible, enjoyable, and safe - while still pushing your comfort zone. An incredible travel experience, with a little grit. Check out the Grit-O-Meter above to see where this trip falls on the level of “grittiness.”

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!

I can’t wait to share in this experience with you!

What are you waiting for?

BOOK YOUR SPOT!