Bird Watching
Padilla Bay Dike Trail–shore fine hike in the Skagit Valley
Quick Facts: Location: Skagit County Land Agency: Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Roundtrip: 4.8 miles Elevation Gain: 30 feet Contact: Padilla Bay NERR Access: From Burlington (exit 231 on I-5) proceed through roundabouts and head west on Josh Wilson Road for 6.4 miles. Upon entering the village of Bay View turn left onto 2nd Street…
Read MoreVancouver Lake Regional Park
Volcano views and excellent birdwatching just west of downtown Vancouver, WA Quick Facts: Location: Vancouver, WA Land Agency: Clark County Parks Round Trip: 3.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: minmal Contact: Vancouver Lake Regional Park Detailed Information: Urban Trails Vancouver WA (Mountaineers Books) Notes: year round parking fee of $5.00; Dogs permitted on-leash and prohibited…
Read MoreDockton Forest and Maury Island Natural Area — Explore Vashon Island’s grand park
Quick Facts: Location: Vashon Island Land Agency: King County Parks Round Trip: More than 10 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 450 feet Contact: King County Parks Detailed Information: Urban Trails Seattle (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Seattle take Washington State Ferry from Fauntleroy (West Seattle) to Vashon Island Ferry…
Read MoreBoundary Bay Dyke Trail
Bountiful birds and beautiful views of Mount Baker Quick Facts: Location: Surrey and Delta, BC Distance: 16.9 km (10.5 miles) one way Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, Surrey Parks and Recreation Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Vancouver, BC (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; but dogs not allowed on shoreline trail in…
Read MoreLangus Waterfront Trail
A slough of surprises await just minutes from downtown Everett Quick Facts: Location: City of Everett Land Agency: Everett Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: None Access: From Everett, take Exit 195 off of I-5 turning left onto East Grand Ave. In 0.5 mile bear right onto East Marine View Drive and follow…
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 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 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…
Read MoreRooster 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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