Ruby Beach─Easily accessible but still wild

Virginia Lake─Sweet bird watching spot on Sauvie Island

March 2, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Sauvie Island (Portland, Oregon) Land Agency: Willamette River Greenway, Wapato Access (Oregon State Parks) Roundtrip: 2.4 miles Elevation Gain: 50 feet Notes: Dogs must be leashed. Access: From downtown Portland, follow US 30 (NW St Helens Road) west for just shy of 11 miles turning right onto the Suavie Island Bridge. Then…

Portage Creek Wildlife Area─Wetland wandering on the Stillaguamish Floodplain

February 23, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Arlington Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Contact: Snohomish Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Notes: Dogs prohibited Access: From Exit 208 on I-5 (Arlington) head east on SR 530 for 2.3 miles. Then turn right onto 59th Ave SE. Continue for 0.2 mile and turn right…

Skagit-Sauk Reach Trail

February 16, 2023 |

Watch for eagles along an old remote rail line Quick Facts: Location: Skagit Valley Land Agency: Skagit County Parks Round Trip: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Howard Miller Steelhead Park Detailed Information: Day Hiking North Cascades Second edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Access: From Burlington (exit 230 on I-5), travel 38…

Weowna Park

February 9, 2023 |

Hike a quiet forested bluff above Lake Sammamish Quick Facts: Location: Bellevue, WA Land Agency contact: city of Bellevue Parks and Recreation Round Trip: 2.5 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 500 feet Detailed Information: Urban Trails Eastside (Mountaineers Books) Map: online Notes: dogs permitted on leash Access: From I-90 exit 11B in Bellevue…

West Hylebos Wetlands Park

February 2, 2023 |

Exceptional peat bog in heart of Puget Sound urban sprawl Quick Facts: Location: Federal Way, WA Land Agency contact: city of Federal Way Parks and Recreation Round Trip: 1.4 miles of trails Elevation Gain: 225 feet Detailed Information: Urban Trails Tacoma (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs prohibited. Park open dusk to dawn Access: From I-5 Exit…

Crescent Lake─Swan stop at the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers

January 26, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Snoqualmie Valley south of Monroe Land Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Elevation Gain: None Notes: Discover Pass required; Crescent Lake is an active hunting area, so be aware of hunting seasons. Access: From Everett follow US 2 east to Monroe. Turn right onto SR 203 and follow for 3.8 miles turning right onto…

Mount Erie

January 19, 2023 |

Fidalgo Island highpoint grants sweeping views Quick Facts: Location: Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) Round Trip: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 910 feet Contact: Anacortes Parks and Recreation Detailed Information: Day Hiking San Juans and Gulf Islands (Mountaineers Books) Map: online Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Some trails open to bicycles, horses…

Latourell Falls─First in a long line of stunning Columbia River Gorge waterfalls

January 16, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land Agency: Oregon State Parks Roundtrip: 2.3 miles Elevation Gain: 650 feet Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge- West no. 428S Contact: Guy Talbot State Park Access: From Portland follow I-84 east to Exit 28. Then follow the Historic Columbia Highway west 2.6 miles to trailhead.…

Lucia Falls Regional Park

January 5, 2023 |

Small falls roar come winter Quick Facts: Location: East Fork Lewis River, Clark County WA Land Agency: Clark County Parks Round Trip: 1.0 mile Elevation Gain: 60 feet Contact: Clark County Parks Detailed Information: Urban Trails Vancouver WA (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Park is open 7 am until dusk Access: From Battle…