Pinnacle Lake — Pretty little lake perched on a shoulder of Mount Pilchuck

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway, near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 4.2 miles Elevation gain: 1,100 feet Green Trails Maps:  Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest   Notes: access road is rough, high clearance vehicles recommended. Access: From Granite Falls follow the…

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Notch Pass–Hike through history over Quilcene Ridge

Location: Quilcene Valley, Northeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 8.4 miles Elevation gain: 2,800 feet Contact: Hood Canal Ranger District Olympic National Forest  Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 3rd Edition) Notes: Practice Leave No Trace Principles Access: From Quilcene drive US 101 south for 1.5 miles turning right onto Penny Creek Road. After 1.5…

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South Whidbey State Park—Amble among ancient trees above the sound

Quick Facts: Location: Whidbey Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 2.3 miles Elevation Gain: 200 feet Contact: South Whidbey State Park Notes: Discover Pass Required: Dogs must be leashed Access: From the Clinton Ferry Terminal on Whidbey Island follow SR 525 north for 9.4 miles turning left onto Bush Point Road. After 2.2 miles road…

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Stacker Butte─Blossoming Queen of the Columbia River Gorge

Quick Facts: Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land Agency: Washington Department of Natural Resources Roundtrip: 5.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1,150 feet Contact: Washington DNR Southeast Region Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs prohibited; Practice Leave No Trace Principles Recommended Resource: Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge Green trails Map: Columbia River Gorge West No. 432S  Good…

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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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Two Trees Trail─Two big pines and plenty of other trees, too!

Quick Facts: Location: Maltby Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 3.8 miles Elevation Gain: 75 feet Special Note: Dogs must be leashed. Contact: Snohomish County Parks Access: From SR 522 in Maltby (5.0 miles east of Woodinville; 8.0 miles west of Monroe) head east on Paradise Lake Road for 1.7 miles to trailhead. Snohomish County…

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