Ozette 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…

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Old 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…

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Guillemot 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…

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Billy 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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Rooster Rock State Park- Hike above the Columbia River Buffs!

Quick Facts: Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Land Agency: Oregon State Parks Roundtrip: 3.3 miles Elevation Gain: 300 feet Contact: Oregon State Parks Notes: $5.00 day use fee or $30 annual pass; dogs must be leashed Green Trails Maps: Columbia River Gorge West No. 428S Access: From Portland follow I-84 east to Exit 25. At .5…

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Little Cranberry Lake — A perfect complement hike to your Thanksgiving Day celebration

Quick Facts: Location: Anacortes-Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands Roundtrip: 1.9 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Access:  From Exit 230 on I-5 in Burlington, head west on SR 20 to junction with SR 20-Spur. Continue right on SR 20-Spur to Anacortes. At traffic light near old town, continue left on 12th Street (still SR 20-Spur and12th Street…

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Blythe and Chukar Lakes─Birds and beauty in the Channeled Scablands

Location: Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Grant County Land Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior Contact: Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation Gain: 300 feet Note: Dogs permitted on leash. Be snake and tick aware Good to know: dog-friendly, kid-friendly, spring wildflowers, exceptional birdwatching, snow-free hike Access: From Spokane, take I-90 west to Exit 179…

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Oaks to Wetlands Trail─ A slough of birds and delights along the Columbia River

Quick Facts: Location: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Clark County Land Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 75 feet Contact: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Notes: Dogs prohibited. Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Vancouver WA (Mountaineers Books) Access: From Exit 14 on I-5 head west 3.0 miles on SR 501 (Pioneer Street) to its…

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Mount Finlayson─This spoil of war now offers peaceful wandering

Quick Facts Location: San Juan Island Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: 290 feet Contact: San Juan Island National Historic Park Notes: Dogs must be leashed. Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Follow Spring Street for .5 mile through town turning left onto…

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Second Beach– Home to First Rate Scenery

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic National Park Land Agency: Quileute Nation and National Park Service Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: 310 feet Contact: Olympic National Park, Wilderness Information Center Green Trails Map: 99S Olympic Coast Beaches Notes: Dogs prohibited Access: From Forks follow US 101 north for 1.5 miles turning left onto State Route 110 (signed “Mora–La Push”). Continue…

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