High Rock– The view of Rainier simply rocks from this precipitous peak!

Quick Facts: Location: Sawtooth Ridge near Ashford and Packwood, WA Land Agency: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Roundtrip: 3.2 miles Elevation gain: 1,350 feet Green Trails Maps: Randle, WA no. 301 Contact: Cowlitz Valley Ranger Station (Randle); Gifford Pinchot National Forest  Notes: Dogs are allowed, but should be on leash because of steep and dangerous drop offs.…

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Windy Pass

Easy wanderings high on the Pacific Crest Trail Quick Facts: Location: Harts Pass area Land Agency: National Forest Service Distance: 7.6 miles Elevation Gain: 900 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Methow Valley Ranger District Map: Green Trails Methow Valley Pasayten Wilderness 51SX Notes: Northwest Trail Pass or Interagency pass required Access: From Winthrop, drive State…

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 Iceberg Point — Maritime scenery will leave you frozen in astonishment

Quick Facts:  Location: San Juan Islands National Monument Land Agency: Bureau of Land Managment Roundtrip: 3.8 miles Elevation gain: 380 feet Contact: San Juan Islands National Monument, Spokane District Office BLM Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; do not park beyond Agate Beach Park; access is via private property which owners have generously granted permission—stay on…

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Gothic Basin and Foggy Lake — Spiraling peaks, buttressed ridges, and a hauntingly beautiful landscape

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Service and Washington Department of Natural Resources Roundtrip: 9.4 miles Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access:  From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 31 miles to Barlow Pass. Hike begins by walking up gated Monte Cristo…

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Benchmark Mountain–The meadows here measure up among the best

Quick Facts: Location: North Fork Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 14.2 miles High Point: 5,816 feet Elevation gain: 3,700 feet Green Trails Maps: Monte Cristo, WA-No. 143, Benchmark MT- No. 144 Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest  Note: Northwest Forest or Interagency Pass Required Access: From Everett head…

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Jefferson Cove─A great place to go forth on the Fourth!

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Coast, Olympic National Park Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 5.0 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Green Trails Map: La Push No. 163S Note: Dogs prohibited; Check tides – can only be done in a low tide; permits required to camp. Access: From Forks travel south on US 101 for 15 miles…

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Abercrombie Mountain– Northeast Washington’s second highest summit is first rate when it comes to views

Quick Facts: Location: Abercrombie-Hooknose Roadless Area, Selkirk Mountains Land Agency: Colville National Forest Roundtrip: 7.4 miles Elevation gain: 2,300 feet Contact: Colville National Forest, Three Rivers Ranger District (Colville) (509) 684-3711 Notes: Access road requires high clearance vehicle Access: From Colville, Washington travel north on Aladdin Road (CR 9435) for 25 miles. Turn right on…

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Hamilton Mountain — Breathtaking views from above Beacon Rock

Quick Facts: Location: Beacon Rock State Park, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 7.5 miles Elevation gain: 2,100 feet Contact: Beacon Rock State Park  Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs permitted on leash. Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge West No. 428S Recommended Guidebooks: Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge, 100…

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Cutthroat Pass — Shiny granite, golden larches and splendid vistas

Quick Facts: Location: North Cascades Highway Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Round Trip: 10.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1850 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Methow Valley Ranger District, Green Trails Map: Washington Pass No. 50 Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required. Access: From Marblemount,…

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Tiffany Mountain — Enjoy horizon-spanning views at the edge of the North Cascades

Quick Facts: Location: Northeastern Cascades Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 5.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet Green Trails Map: Green Trails, Tiffany Mountain, WA- No. 53 Contact: Tonasket Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National ForestAccess: From Burlington follow SR 20 east to Winthrop. Then continue north on East Chewuch River Road for 6.5 miles and turn right onto FR…

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