Best Spring Hikes
Diablo Lake– Hell of a lake, but not a devil of a hike
Quick Facts: Location: North Cascades Highway Land Agency: Ross Lake National Recreation Area Roundtrip: 7.6 miles Elevation Gain: 1400 feet Contact: North Cascades National Park Detailed Information: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs must be leashed. Access road gated at 4:15 pm during winter Access: From Marblemount follow SR 20 east for 21.5 miles.…
Read MoreBoulder River- waterfalls among old-growth forest
Quick Facts: Location: Boulder River Wilderness, near Darrington Land Agency: National Forest Service Round trip: 8.6 miles Elevation Gain: 750 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access: From Arlington follow SR 530 for 20 miles. Just beyond Milepost 41 near a subdivision turn right onto FR 2010 and continue for 3.7 miles to trailhead. Contact:…
Read MoreLower Big Quilcene River─Lowland hike teems with primeval beauty
Quick Facts: Location: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal District Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: To Camp Jolly 10.2 miles Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East 168SX Elevation Gain: 800 feet Contact: Hood Canal District, Quilcene Good to Know: kid-friendly, dog-friendly, open to mountain bikes, backpacking opportunities, old-growth, exceptional rhodies, Practice Leave No Trace Principles Access: From…
Read MoreOzette Triangle–Classic Olympic Coast Hike packed with surprises
Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Coast Land Agency: Olympic National Park Roundtrip: 9.4 miles Elevation Gain: 400 feet Notes: National Park entry fee; dogs prohibited; coastal section can be difficult during high tides. Green Trails Map: Olympic Coast 99S Contact: Olympic National Park Access: From Port Angeles, follow US 101 west for 5 miles to SR 112. Continue on…
Read MoreSnoquera Falls — A touch of the Yosemite Valley in Washington
Quick Facts: Location: White River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 4.2 miles Elevation Gain: 750 feet Contact: Snoqualmie Ranger District, Enumclaw office Green Trails Map: Greenwater no. 238 Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; Dogs permitted on leash Access: From Enumclaw, follow SR 410 east for 28 miles. Turn left onto Camp Sheppard…
Read MoreOld Sauk River Trail– Stroll along a Wild and Scenic River
Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Darrington, Land Agency: Mount Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 6.0 miles Elevation gain: 150 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest or Interagency Pass required Access: Take Exit 208 off of I-5 following SR 530…
Read MoreJay Lake — Solitude and camping at Wallace Falls State Park
Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish River Valley, US 2 Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 11.5 miles Elevation gain: 1,575 feet Green Trails Map: Contact: Wallace Falls State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs must be leashed; Camping requires a permit-attain from park prior to trip. Access: From Everett, follow US 2 for 28 miles east…
Read MorePeshastin Pinnacles — Hike though a magical kingdom of rocky spires
Quick Facts: Location: Wenatchee River Valley near Leavenworth Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 1.5 miles Elevation gain: 400 feet Green Trails Maps: Wenatchee Mission Ridge no. 211S Contact: Peshastin Pinnacles State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; dogs must be leashed. Access: From Leavenworth follow US 2 east for 9 miles turning left onto North…
Read MoreGuillemot Cove─Quiet nature retreat on Hood Canal
Quick Facts: Location: Kitsap Peninsula Land Agency: Kitsap County Parks Roundtrip: 2.5 miles Elevation Gain: 350 feet Contact: Kitsap County Parks Notes: Dogs prohibited. Access: From Bremerton, follow SR 3 North to Newberry Hill Road Exit. Then head west for 3.0 miles turning right onto Seabeck Highway. Continue for 5.0 miles to Seabeck turning right…
Read MoreBilly Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge– Delightful hiking on the delta
Quick Facts: Location: Nisqually River Delta Land Agency: United States Fish and Wildlife Service Roundtrip: 4.2 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Map: Refuge Map Notes: $3.00 per four adults entrance fee; or Interagency Passes accepted; dogs prohibited; Northern end of the Nisqually Estuary Trail is closed from October to…
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