Region

Central Cascades

Lake Janus — quiet alternative to nearby Lake Valhalla

October 21, 2021 |

Quick Facts: Location: Pacific Crest Trail near Stevens Pass Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 6.5 miles Elevation gain: 1,550 feet Green Trails Map: Benchmark MT- No. 144 Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: Self-issued free wilderness permit available at trailhead. Wilderness regulations apply. No fires allowed near lake. Practice…

Grizzly Peak — It’s a long hike, but not a bear of a hike!

September 16, 2021 |

Quick Facts: Location: Pacific Crest Trail, Henry M Jackson Wilderness, Stevens Pass area Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 16.4 miles Elevation gain: 3,400 feet Difficulty: difficult Green Trails Map: Benchmark MT- No. 144 Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest  Access: From Everett, head east on US 2 to Stevens Pass. Continue…

Dishpan Gap—Crimson carpets at the headwaters of the Sky!

September 10, 2021 |

Quick Facts: Location: North Fork Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 17.4 miles Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Map: Monte Cristo- No. 143, Benchmark Mtn- No. 144 Special Note: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; wilderness rules apply Access: From Everett…

Benchmark Mountain–The meadows here measure up among the best

July 8, 2021 |

Quick Facts: Location: North Fork Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 14.2 miles High Point: 5,816 feet Elevation gain: 3,700 feet Green Trails Maps: Monte Cristo, WA-No. 143, Benchmark MT- No. 144 Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest  Note: Northwest Forest or Interagency Pass Required Access: From Everett head…

North Navarre Peak–The Summer Blossom Trail blooms with extensive views!

June 17, 2021 |

Location: Sawtooth Ridge near Lake Chelan Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 5.0 miles Elevation gain: 1,550 feet Contact: Chelan Ranger District: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Green Trails Map: Prince Creek- No. 115 Notes: access is via a long and bumpy gravel road. Four-wheel drive recommended. Good to Know: Exceptional wildflowers; exceptional views; backpacking options; exceptional…

Fortune Ponds–Two little tranquil bodies of water deep within the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness

September 17, 2020 |

Quick Facts: Location: Beckler River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Service Roundtrip: 13.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,700 feet Green Trails Map: Benchmark Mtn- No. 144 Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades  Access:  From Everett head east on US 2 for 50 miles to Skykomish turning left onto the Beckler River Road (FR 65). Continue north for 6.9 miles…

Johnson Ridge–Ridgeline hike in the Wild Sky Wilderness

July 17, 2020 |

Location: Beckler River near Skykomish Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 9.0 miles High Point: 5,540 feet Elevation gain: 2,650 feet Difficulty: difficult Green Trails Maps: Alpine Lakes West Stevens Pass No. 176S Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest  Access: From Everett head east on US 2 for 50 miles turning left onto…

Beaver Lake Loop–wetland wonderland on Lord Hill

April 30, 2020 |

Location: Lord Hill Park near Snohomish Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 2.2 miles High Point: 650 feet Elevation gain: 200 feet Difficulty: easy Contact: Snohomish County Parks Notes: Dogs must be on leash; Map available online Access:  From Everett, head east on US 2 for 8.0 miles and take 88th Street SE Exit. Turn right…

Lowell Riverfront Trail—Out of industrial ashes a riverside trail and park are born

April 22, 2020 |

Quick Facts: Location: Lowell neighborhood, city of Everett Land Agency: Everett Parks and Recreation Contact: Everett Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: None Access: From Exit 192 on I-5 in Everett head east on 41st Street. Turn right (south) onto 3rd Ave and proceed for 1.2 miles to four-way stop. Turn left onto…

Rock Mountain via Snowy Creek—Big sky views and perhaps a goat or two

August 21, 2019 |

Quick Facts: Location: Nason Ridge near Stevens Pass Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 9.8 miles Elevation Gain: 3,250 feet Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes Stevens Pass Map 176S Access: From Everett head east on US 2. Four miles past Stevens Pass turn left onto Smith Brook Road (FR 6700). Follow for 6.0 miles turning…

Want To Keep Up To Date On Hike Of The Week?

Subscribe and get new blog posts delivered to your inbox.