Hiking with Paddleboards: The Ultimate PNW Women’s Adventure to an Alpine Lake

If you’re a woman who lives for backcountry hikes, paddleboarding, or just an unforgettable alpine happy hour—this one’s for you. Tucked just off the i90 corridor in the the Pacific Northwest, my friends Kimber, Jaki, and I set out on a unique outdoor adventure that combined hiking, backpacking, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)—with a twist: we each hauled a 40-pound paddleboards 7 miles (roundtrip) and 2,400 vert into the mountains to float on a remote alpine lake.

Yes, it was as wild (and rewarding) as it sounds.

A Backpacking and Paddleboarding Adventure in Washington State

We started around 9:00 AM in an attempt to avoid uphilling during the heat of the day, packs loaded with gear, snacks, and inflatable paddleboards—each weighing around 40 pounds. The trail? A rugged, ~3.5-mile uphill climb through Washington’s backcountry. Think dense forest, rocky ridgelines, and views that make every burning quad worth it.

Carrying paddleboards that far isn’t exactly “ultralight,” but we were determined to fulfill our collective vision. As women who love outdoor adventure in the Pacific Northwest, we’re no strangers to big efforts for big rewards—and this one paid off in spades.

The point at which my lats left the chat.

Let’s be honest—the three of us only seem to hang out when suffering is involved. Maybe it’s friendship, maybe it’s a cry for help. (Group therapy? TBD.) The last time we were all together, we ski toured into the Wendy Thompson Hut on an icy luge track while getting rained on for hours. This paddleboard haul? Honestly, it was an upgrade.

Arrival at the Alpine Lake: The Perfect SUP Destination

At the top, we were met with the kind of view that makes your breath catch: a pristine alpine lake, framed by jagged peaks and mirror-still water. We quickly inflated our paddleboards and launched straight from shore.

Floating across that snowmelt-fed lake with your best adventure gals, sun on your face, and nothing but mountains around you? That’s the kind of Pacific Northwest paddleboarding adventure we live for.

Lakeside Happy Hour: Women and Wilderness-Approved

Happy hour looked a little different than your usual bar scene. Each of us brought a signature cocktail to share with the group - good thing we floated for 5+ hours or we would have been rolling back to the trailhead. We paddled, laughed, and soaked in every second. I’ve included our cocktail recipes below for you to try on your next trip!

🍹 Alpine Lake Happy Hour Recipes

Three women, three paddleboards, and three trail-friendly cocktails made for sipping in the wild.

🥒 Kimber’s Poppi Moscow Mule

Bright, fizzy, and a little spicy—perfect post-hike refreshment.

Ingredients:
– 1 can Ginger Lime Poppi
– 1.5 oz Tito’s Vodka
– Juice of ½ fresh lime

To Make:
Pour a splash of Tito’s Vodka into your chilled Poppi. Add a squeeze of lime. Stir gently. Sip and float.

TIP: Be sure to take a sip of your Poppi before adding ingredients. Also… cut your lime ahead of time. Watching Kimber cut limes on the paddleboard as we floated in the middle of the lake raised my blood pressure.

🍍 Morgan’s Pineapple Margarita

Tropical and zesty, with ginger heat and a backcountry bubble boost.

Ingredients:
– Tequila (measure with your heart)
– Splash of pineapple juice
– Pineapple, lemon, ginger Suja
– Optional: Used an Aerflo to carbonate the entire beverage on site

To Make:
Tajin the rim. Combine tequila, pineapple, lemon ginger juice (Suja from Costco). Shake your Aerflo to add bubbles for that lakeside sparkle.

TIP: Freeze your juice the night before and it will be de-thawed by the time you hit the lake.

🫒 Jaki’s DIRTY Trail Martini

Salty, smooth, and effortlessly chic—yes, even in a camp chair.

Ingredients:
– 2 oz Tito’s Vodka
– 1 Poshi Olive Pack

To Make:
Pour vodka directly into the olive packet and enjoy.

TIP: Freeze your olive pack the night before and your olives will chill your vodka.

For women who hike, SUP, suffer a little, and crave solitude in the outdoors, there’s no better way to celebrate friendship and summer than a DIY alpine lake happy hour.

Why You Should Try Backpacking with a Paddleboard

Combining hiking, backpacking, and paddleboarding isn’t easy—but it’s possible, and wildly empowering. It pushes your limits and rewards you with experiences no trailhead parking lot can offer. If you’re an outdoor woman looking to step up your backcountry adventures in Washington, Oregon or beyond, don’t sleep on alpine paddleboarding.

Tips for Women Planning a Paddleboard Hike:

Train with weight: 40 pounds is no joke. Practice hiking with a loaded pack before you hit the trail. Our SUPs were not made for backpacking but there are lots of lighter options out there. Don’t forget to factor in weight from pumps, paddles, snacks, beverages and gear.
Start early, end late: To beat the heat I would recommend planning to be at the lake before noon and leave well after the high heat of the day.
Get a freaking hip strap: Because our boards were and bags were not made for hiking, the backpacks they came in only had shoulder straps… no.. hip.. strap.. Meaning all 45+ pounds rested on the shoulders. If your going to hike with a heavy pack, you NEED hip straps. On the way down we managed to jimmy rig a hip strap which made the hike down slightly more tolerable than the up.
Pick your lake wisely: Look for backcountry lakes with legal SUP access and minimal bushwhacking. Keep the mileage short and vert low.
Pack smart: Charcuterie and drinks = essential. But don’t forget your safety gear, layers, and a pump that actually works. It would be an absolute travesty to schlep that thing all the way up there and not have a working pump. We brought a battery powered and hand pump. We also brought a water filter to make sure we were adequately hydrating throughout the day.

I hope you give this a try - tag me in your adventures or follow along on my next @MKChinnArt

xo - Mo

More Adventures

✅ Alpine Paddleboard Adventure Packing List

(Almost) Everything you need for a 7-mile hike, happy hour, and high-elevation float with your best trail girls.

🥾 Hiking & Backpacking Essentials

☐ Backpack (with support for 30–40 lbs)
☐ Trekking poles (life-saving on the descent)
☐ Trail runners or hiking boots
☐ Navigation tools (map, GPS, or app like Gaia)
☐ Headlamp + extra batteries
☐ Sunscreen + sunglasses
☐ Water bottles or hydration bladder
☐ Electrolytes (Protekt liquid watermelon hydration is superior imo)
☐ First aid kit
☐ Emergency blanket or bivy
☐ Rain jacket / layers (because PNW...)
☐ Snacks + meals

🏄‍♀️ Paddleboarding Gear

☐ Inflatable paddleboard
☐ Paddle
☐ SUP pump (test it before you go!)
☐ PFD (personal flotation device)
☐ Dry bag (for phone, snacks, layers)
☐ Towel or quick-dry sarong
☐ Water shoes or sandals (Try the uber lightweight Atlas Sandal by Passenger - Usecode: MORGANCHINN10)
☐ Swimsuit
☐ Lightweight anchor or leash (optional)

🍸 Happy Hour Must-Haves

☐ Camp cup or insulated tumbler
☐ Charcuterie (crackers, cheese, cured meats)
☐ Cheetos
☐ Cocktail kit (see recipes above)

🎉 Optional but Fun

☐ Polaroid or Insta360
☐ Lightweight picnic blanket
☐ Tripod or phone stand for group pics
☐ Journal or sketchpad