The last days of summer always have a certain magnetic pull – cooler mornings, golden evenings, and that restless flicker that reminds you to chase the warm weather while it lasts. Whether it’s to climb a panoramic summit or take a quiet walk through the trees to a hidden alpine lake, Labor Day weekend feels like the perfect excuse to answer that call. 

This year, we packed up the Guide’s Edition Synik 26, a pack built not just for the trail, but for the kind of weekends you remember well into fall. With its rugged build, smart features, and trail-tested comfort, it quickly became more than just a bag – it became part of the adventure. 

The Guide’s Edition Synik 26 is a refined, rugged version of the Synik 26. Designed with the outdoors in mind, it thrives in the woods and mountains, but transitions effortlessly to any urban setting. Finished with Coyote brown trim: Durable, dirt-concealing, camouflaging seamlessly into natural surroundings, and front and bottom gear attachments: Front ice axe loop and diamond strap holders to secure hiking poles, folding chairs, or damp rain jackets. 

So before summer slips away, here are our top 5 PNW hikes for Labor Day – trails that inspired us, challenged us, and gave us enough room to take in the mountain air before the leaves change color. Bring your boots, your friends, the right backpack, and maybe some trail mix. 

Our Top 5 Hikes for Labor Day

1. Twin Falls

A quick and easy hike, just 2.4 miles out and back, Twin Falls is not only a gorgeous hike, but the location of our most recent Guide’s Edition Synik 26 photoshoot. Only an hour outside of Seattle, you’ll trek along an array of different sceneries – dense woods, winding rivers, old bridges, and lush vegetation. You’ll eventually reach a viewpoint of the waterfalls. 

This hike is extremely popular – busy even on weekdays. We took the Guide’s Edition Synik 26 photos on a Monday morning, about 11 am, and were greeted with a parking lot full of cars and lots of folks sharing the trail. If you’re looking for an easy yet fulfilling hike, Twin Falls is it. It’s great for families and people of all ages.

2. Snow Lake and Gem Lake

A Washingtonian classic, Snow Lake is a moderately easy hike within an hour of Seattle. About 7.2 miles out and back, you’ll see scenic views of Snoqualmie Pass, climb winding switchbacks and well-worn log steps to a jewel-toned alpine lake, cold enough to numb your toes if you are brave enough to wade in. Along the way, you’ll spot pikas scurrying along the rocky slopes and yellow-rumped warblers darting between trees.

If you still have energy once you get to Snow Lake, or get a second wind after a quick polar bear plunge, you can continue on to Gem Lake, which is about two miles further into the mountains, making the hike roughly 11.3 miles out and back.

3. Skyline Loop

Skyline Loop is a must-do for Washingtonians – a beautiful 5.5 mile round-trip hike at Mount Rainer about 3.5 hours south of Seattle. Summer and early fall are the peak times to do the Skyline loop, as it becomes inaccessible during snowy winter months. You’ll be immersed in views of cascading waterfalls, mountain lupines, blooming heather, and, of course, Mount Rainer. 

We recommend getting to the trailhead early, as parking fills up fast during peak season. But it’s popular for a reason! You truly can’t beat the beauty of Mount Rainer. 

4. Heather-Maple Pass Loop

Heather-Maple Pass is a moderately hard hike – about 8 miles round trip (However, when we did this hike last fall, we managed to rack up 12 miles). Located deep in the North Cascades, about 4 hours northeast of Seattle, Heather-Maple Pass is a wonderful and breathtaking (literally) hike that traverses along ridgelines and alpine meadows. You can hike the trail clockwise or counterclockwise, offering different difficulty levels to start your trek. The trail is paved from the Jackson Visitor’s Center at Paradise and transitions into a rocky dirt path about a mile in. 

If you visit in late September or early October, you’ll see the golden larches – note that these trees bring in the crowds! Get to the trailhead early, or you’ll have to walk a couple of additional miles from your car to the actual trailhead. 

5. The Enchantments Traverse

If you’re a bucket-list adventurer, the Enchantments is a must-do. You can start at the Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead near Leavenworth, Washington. It’s roughly 18 miles point-to-point and not for the faint of heart. You’ll wander through soft tundra meadows, glacial lakes, babbling creeks, and otherworldly rock formations. This hike is generally completed as an overnight backpacking trip, so come prepared to rack up lots of steps. 

The views from the Enchantments can’t be beat – the aquamarine shores of Colchuck Lake, the snow-capped peak of Mount Baker in the distance, and herds of mountain goats along the jagged cliffsides. Pack your hiking boots and strap on your hiking poles, you’ll need them! 

As the sun begins to set a little earlier and the evenings grow cooler, there’s still time to squeeze in a few hikes to bring summer to a close. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, climbing rocky ridgelines, or simply savoring the tranquility of the forest, Labor Day is a chance to appreciate the nature that surrounds us. While you’re out on the trail, remember: leave no trace. 

So, here’s to crisp mornings, alpine lakes, and a backpack that becomes part of the story. 

Have you done any of these hikes? Or do you have recommendations of your own? Let us know in the comments below!