Bald Eagle Peak — Old-growth, stunning views, and solitude

Special Note: We apologize for sending out the Longs Pass Hike earlier today as it is currently closed due to a forest fire. We had scheduled the hike to run about a month ago and regret not catching that the trail is now closed. We try to provide timely hiking destinations, but you should always…

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Grand Valley–Aptly named valley has it all; lakes, meadows, and fantastic alpine scenery

 Quick Facts:  Location: Obstruction Point (Hurricane Ridge) Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 9.8 miles Elevation gain: 2,400 feet Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center  Green Trails Map: Elwha North/Hurricane Ridge-No. 134S Notes: Dogs prohibited; National Park Entry Fee required Access: From Port Angeles follow the Hurricane Ridge Road (Heart O the Hills Parkway)…

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Cooney Lake–larches at the edge of the North Cascades

Location: Sawtooth Ridge Roadless Area Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 16 miles High Point: 7,300 feet Elevation gain: 3,800 feet Difficulty: moderate Green Trails Maps: Prince Creek, WA- No. 115 Contact: Methow Valley Ranger District: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Twisp follow SR 153 south turning…

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Silver Lake─Precious body of water above old mining district

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 13.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet Green Trails Map: 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 Road. Note: Northwest…

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West Cady Ridge—from wildflowers to autumn colors

Quick Facts: Location: Wild Sky and Henry Jackson Wildernesses, North Fork Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 8.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet Green Trails Map: Monte Cristo, WA- No. 143 Recommended source: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest…

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Royal Basin–Crown jewel of the Olympic Rain shadow

Location: Northeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 16.0 miles Elevation gain: 2700 feet Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East No. 168SX Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; Dogs-prohibited at national park boundary (at 1.3 miles)  Good to Know: Exceptional Wildflowers, Backpacking options Access: Take…

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North Lake–Secluded Lake off popular Mountain Loop Highway

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 6.0 miles High Point: 4,925 feet Elevation gain: 2,250 feet Difficulty: difficult Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway no. 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District Notes: Access road is rough in spots; high clearance recommended Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 26 miles. Just…

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Image Lake — jewel in the heart of the Glacier Peak Wilderness

Quick Facts: Location: Glacier Peak Wilderness Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 33.0 miles Elevation Gain: 4,700 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: NW Forest or Interagency Pass required; No camping within ¼ mile of Image Lake—use established campsites; no fires at lake; respect re-vegetation…

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Mount Seymour — See more of the BC Lower Mainland from this classic peak

Quick Facts: Location: North Shore Mountains, North Vancouver, BC Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles) roundtrip Elevation Gain: 540 m (1772 feet) Contact: Mount Seymour Provincial Park Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Vancouver, BC (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Trail to Mount Seymour is snow free from July through October. Other trails in park outside of ski area are…

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Wapaloosie Mountain–a wapaloosie of a peak indeed!

Location: Kettle River Range Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 6.0 miles Elevation gain: 2,000 feet Contact: Colville National Forest Access: From Republic, head east on SR 20 for 21 miles turning left  onto FR 2030 (Albion Hill Road). From Kettle Falls, head west on SR 20 for 22 miles, turning right onto FR 2030. Follow FR…

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