Suggestions for taking 69-year old mom on first backpack

[lisina]

Hi folks,
This summer I'm hoping to take my mother out for an early 70th birthday adventure - her first backpacking trip! I'm starting to brainstorm options for where I could take her, and thought I'd see if anyone out there has other good suggestions. Here are the parameters:

-No more than about 4 nights
-Mileage can be up to about 8 miles per day with a max of 2,000' gain
-Ideally it would be an easy/moderate hike into a basecamp, with day hikes from there (I might be carrying gear for both of us so it'll be tough to get too far with all our gear - I'm also looking into llama/goat packing options)
-Big mountain scenery
-Anywhere US or Canada works

Okay...go!

The first idea I had was Eagle Cap...Kind of stuck from there. Thanks!

[derwoodynck]

Goat Rocks would be another option, from Berry Patch it's only around 5 miles to good campsites then you can day hike from there in multiple directions.

[retired jerry]

You could do East Lostine to Eagle Cap, it's in the field guide

Three Sisters would be good, like from Lava Lake trailhead and go as far as you wanted

[Waffle Stomper]

You could do East Lostine to Eagle Cap, it's in the field guide

Three Sisters would be good, like from Lava Lake trailhead and go as far as you wanted

I second that East Lostine to Eagle Cap. That's a beautiful Hike.

[Double Tree]

I've done both Goat Rocks from Berry Patch and Lakes Basin/Eagle Cap. Both are excellent scenery, moderate hiking, and lots of day-hike options from a base camp. Recommend mid-week if possible, to reduce crowds. If your dates are flexible, watch this site for flower reports.
Kelly

[texasbb]

The Goat Lake loop and the East Lostine trip are two of the best. If you like wildflowers, the Goat Rocks are probably preferred at most times. I've seen fresh flowers there well into mid September. If you like water/lakes, the Wallowas are probably preferred, Goat Lake's dramatic cirque notwithstanding.