Best Spring Hikes
Margaret’s Way to Debbie’s View
Excellent views on the quiet Issaquah Alp Quick Facts: Location: Squak Mountain, Issaquah Alps Land Agency: King County Parks, Washington State Parks Distance: 7.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1600 feet Contact: Squak Mountain State Park and King County Parks Green Trails Map: Green Trails Cougar Mtn/ Squak Mtn No. 203S Notes: dogs permitted on leash Recommended…
Read MoreCranberry Lake Trail—A sweet little hike on Camano Island
Quick Facts: Location: Camano Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Elevation Gain: 125 feet Contact: Cama Beach State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs must be leashed Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Everett (Mountaineers Books) Access: From Exit 212 on I-5, travel west on SR 532 to Camano Island to a junction at 10.0 miles.…
Read MoreThunder Creek– Stroll alongside a tumultuous creek through a striking old-growth forest
Quick Facts: Location: Ross Lake National Recreation Area Land Agency: United States National Park Service Distance: 12.0 miles Elevation Gain: 750 feet Contact: North Cascades National Park Complex Green Trails Map: North Cascades Ross Lake 16SX Notes: Dogs permitted on leash, permits required for camping Access: From Marblemount drive State Route 20 east for 24…
Read MoreLower Gray Wolf River– A nice place to hang out with the pack
Quick Facts: Location: Northeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Olympic National Forest Roundtrip: 7.0 miles Elevation gain: 900 feet Contact: Hood Canal Ranger District, Quilcene Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East no. 168SX Notes: wilderness rules apply Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula Good to Know: dog-friendly; kid-friendly; easy backpacking options, Buckhorn Wilderness Access: From US…
Read MoreHamilton 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…
Read MoreMount Pisgah–Hike to a promising land of spectacular wildflowers
Quick Facts: Location: Willamette Valley south of Eugene Land Agency: Lane County Parks Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation gain: 1,050 feet Map: Park map available online Contact: Friends of Buford Park and Mount Pisgah Notes: $5.00 day use fee; dogs must be leashed Access: From Eugene follow Franklin Blvd (Exit 189 I-5 southbound or Exit 188B northbound…
Read MoreFort Flagler Loop─Old defense post now protects undeveloped Puget Sound coastline
Quick Facts: Location: Marrowstone Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks Contact: Fort Flagler State Park Roundtrip: 5.6 miles Elevation Gain: 200 feet Access: From Kingston Ferry Terminal, follow SR 104 west for 15 miles turning right onto SR 19. Continue north for 9 miles to Chimicum turning right onto Irondale Road and proceeding 1.6 miles…
Read MoreWhistler Canyon-big on bighorn sheep and Okanogan River views
Location: Okanogan Valley near Oroville Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 5.0 miles High Point: 1,950 feet Elevation gain: 1,250 feet Difficulty: moderate Contact: Pacific Northwest Trail Association Note: Dogs should be under strict control as to not disturb the bighorn sheep. Access: From Tonasket, follow US 97 north for 14.5 miles to trailhead turnoff…
Read MoreRainbow Falls State Park
Stroll through groves of Old-growth above the Chehalis River Quick Facts: Location: Chehalis River Valley Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: up to 3.0 miles Elevation gain: 300 feet Contact: Rainbow Falls State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; dogs must be leashed Access: From Chehalis (exit 77 on I-5) follow SR 6 west for 16…
Read MoreBob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas’ Eddy – Swans, steelhead, and serenity on the Snohomish River
Quick Facts: Location: Snohomish River, south of Snohomish Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: 50 feet Contact: Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Special Note: Dogs prohibited. Trails can flood during rainy period. Expect wet and muddy trails. Access: From the city of Snohomish, travel south on SR 9 for 2.6 miles…
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