The beauty of the pools at Opal Creek are pretty well known, but it also makes for a nice introductory backpacking experience that ends up being about 4.5 miles each way/day (9 total). The trail starts as a road along the creek and turns into a lollipop hike. One side (that continues as a gravel road) goes to an old mining town, Jawbone Flats, which is now a nature/history learning center with some mining relics. Past a meadow and about a half mile further are the Opal Pools, also popular for taking a dip. The other side is a trail through the woods. We did the woods side the first day and, after camping at Cedar Flats (a mile or so beyond the pools), returned along the road. The majority of the camping spots are about a mile past the pools, although the trail gets a little rougher for this mile. The trail, village, and pools are incredibly popular and very busy, but the backpacking trail beyond was much more what you associate with backpacking. There are no bathrooms or potable water, and fires were not allowed while we were there.