Naches Peak–Big Scenic Payoff for little effort

Lyle Cherry Orchard–A great pick for spring wildflowers!

April 25, 2024 |

Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land Agency: Friends of the Columbia Gorge Roundtrip: 6.8 miles Elevation gain: 1,500 feet Contact: Friends of the Columbia Gorge Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; Beware ticks, rattlesnakes, and poison oak; parking limited especially on weekends Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge East No. 432S Access: From Bingen…

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

April 11, 2024 |

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…

Mount Finlayson─This spoil of war now offers peaceful wandering

February 15, 2024 |

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…

Swan Lake and Christmas Hill –A very merry hike minutes from downtown Victoria

December 21, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island Land Agency: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary Roundtrip: 3.5 miles/ 5.6 kilometers Elevation gain: 325 feet/ 100 meters Contact: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary Notes: dogs prohibited Access: From Victoria or Sidney, follow BC 17 (Patricia Bay Highway) exiting onto McKenzie Ave. Proceed east turning right onto Rainbow…

Heybrook Ridge–From the town of Index to stunning views of Mount Index

November 23, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish Valley Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 3.4 miles Elevation Gain: 780 feet Contact: Friends of Heybrook Ridge Map: Green Trails, Alpine Lakes West Stevens Pass no. 176S Notes: Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Everett follow US 2 east for 35 miles turning left onto the Index Galena Road (just…

Lake Ingalls

October 5, 2023 |

Capture breathtaking reflective views of Mount Stuart Quick Facts: Location: Alpine Lake Wilderness, Teanaway Country Round Trip: 9.2 miles Elevation Gain: 2600 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum Ranger District, https://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen/Detailed Information: 100 Classic Hikes Washington (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Northwest Forest Pass required; dogs prohibited; wilderness rules apply; no camping at lake. Green Trails…

Little Giant Pass

September 21, 2023 |

Shortest (but not easy) portal to the fabled Napeequa Valley Quick Facts: Location: Chiwawa River Valley Round Trip: 10.4 miles Elevation Gain: 4100 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District, https://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen/Detailed Information: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Wilderness Rules in effect; Chiwawa River must be forded—dangerous in high water…

Sunrise Ridge─What a setting!

September 14, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic National Park – Hurricane Ridge Road Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet Green Trails Map: Elwha North-Hurricane Ridge No. 134S Contact: Olympic National Park Access: From Port Angeles, follow Race Street south to Mount Angeles Ave to the Heart O’ the Hills Parkway (Hurricane Ridge…

White Chuck Cinder Cone — Coolest volcanic cone north of Lassen

August 31, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Glacier Peak Wilderness,Mountain Loop Highway near Darrington Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 23.0 miles Elevation gain: 5,200 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (360) 436-1155 Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Darrington, head south 16…