Dalles Ridge — Wintering Elk and Sublime Alpine views

Quick Facts: Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Land Agency: US Forest Service Round Trip: 8.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1900 feet Green Trails Map: Greenwater no. 238 Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: During periods of low snow levels, parking may be difficult. Access: From Enumclaw follow SR 410 for 13.6 miles turning left (shortly after passing…

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Balch Creek–Dramatic Ravine a Forest Park highlight

Location: Forest Park, Portland, Oregon Land Agency: Portland Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: 2.4 miles High Point: 425 feet Elevation gain: 300 feet Difficulty: easy Green Trails Map: Forest Park No 426S Contact: Contact/permits: Portland Parks and Recreation ; Forest Park Conservancy;  Notes: dogs must be leashedAccess: From downtown Portland, follow NW Vaughn Street west turning…

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Explorer Falls–It's an easy search to find these falls

Quick Facts: Location: Near Lake Roesiger between Monroe and Granite Falls Land Agency: Washington DNR Roundtrip: 5.2 miles Elevation gain: 700 feet Contact: Washington DNR Notes: Discover Pass Required. Do not block gates, nor drive past it if open. Active logging area, be alert to trucks on roadway and yield right-of-way. Access:  From Monroe, follow…

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Cheam Lake Wetlands–Birding hotspot where the North Cascades meet the Fraser River

Quick Facts: Location: Popkum, Fraser Valley Regional District, BC Land Agency: Fraser Valley Regional Parks Round Trip: 2.5 miles (4.0 km) roundtrip Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Fraser Valley Regional Parks Notes: Dogs prohibited Access: From Vancouver, BC follow Trans-Canada Highway 1 east to Exit 138 (12 miles /20 kilometers east of Chilliwack). Turn left and…

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Corral Pass –Challenging snow shoe trip to high pass on Castle Mountain

Quick Facts: Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 11.5 miles Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Maps:  Greenwater no. 238, Lester no. 239, and on Mount Rainier National Park 269S Notes: When snow level is low, parking here can be a challenge. Do not block access…

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South Indian Island — Enjoy peaceful shoreline strolling along a line of defense

Quick Facts: Location: Indian Island near Port Hadlock Land Agency: Jefferson County Parks Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: 70 feet Notes: Detailed information can be found in Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula (Mountaineers Books) Contact: Jefferson County Parks  Access: From Kingston, drive State Route 104 turning right onto SR 19. Then continue north for 9 miles turning right onto…

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Big Finn Hill Park

Quiet Alternative to St Edward State Park Quick Facts: Location: Kirkland Land Agency: King County Parks Distances: up to 9.5 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 200 feet Contact: King County Parks Detailed Information: Urban Trails Eastside (Mountaineers Books) Notes: parking area on NE 138th Street gated at dusk Access: From Kenmore follow 68th…

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Andy’s Marine Park

Hike to a cove and beach on Anderson Island Quick Facts: Location: Anderson Island Land Agency: Anderson Island Park and Recreation District Round Trip: 1.5 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 190 feet Contact: Andy’s Marine Park Detailed Information: Urban Trails Tacoma (Mountaineers Books) Notes: dogs prohibited. Trails can be slick in wet weather Access: From Anderson…

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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…

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Vancouver 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…

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