Fourth of July Pass─Declare your Independence this week in the North Cascades

Suiattle River– A wild river and majestic primeval forest within the shadows of Glacier Peak

October 23, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Suiattle River Road Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 13.0 miles Elevation gain: 1,000 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway no. 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass required Access: From Darrington travel north on SR 530 for 7.5 miles turning…

Lake Valhalla– No slain souls here-just renewed ones

October 9, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Henry M Jackson Wilderness, Stevens Pass area Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 11.6 miles Elevation gain: 1,850 feet Difficulty: moderate Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes-Stevens Pass No. 176S Contact: Wenatchee River Ranger District (Leavenworth): Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Access: From Everett, head east on US 2 for 65 miles to Stevens Pass.…

Bald Eagle Peak — Old-growth, stunning views, and solitude

October 2, 2025 |

Special Note: We apologize for sending out the Longs Pass Hike earlier today as it is currently closed due to a forest fire. We had scheduled the hike to run about a month ago and regret not catching that the trail is now closed. We try to provide timely hiking destinations, but you should always…

Silver Lake─Precious body of water above old mining district

September 11, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 13.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access: From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 31 miles to Barlow Pass. Hike begins by walking up gated Monte Cristo Road. Note: Northwest…

West Cady Ridge—from wildflowers to autumn colors

September 4, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Wild Sky and Henry Jackson Wildernesses, North Fork Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 8.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet Green Trails Map: Monte Cristo, WA- No. 143 Recommended source: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest…

Wapaloosie Mountain–a wapaloosie of a peak indeed!

July 31, 2025 |

Location: Kettle River Range Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 6.0 miles Elevation gain: 2,000 feet Contact: Colville National Forest Access: From Republic, head east on SR 20 for 21 miles turning left onto FR 2030 (Albion Hill Road). From Kettle Falls, head west on SR 20 for 22 miles, turning right onto FR 2030. Follow FR…

Greenwood Lake–Solitude in the shadow of High Rock

July 24, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Nisqually River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Round Trip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1450 feet Contact: Cowlitz Valley Ranger Station (Randle), Gifford Pinchot National Forest Green Trails Maps: Randle, WA no. 301 Notes: Road to trailhead can be rough. Trail is open to motorcycles but sees little use as it receives little…

Fisher Lake–Quiet backcountry lake beyond Tonga Ridge

July 17, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Round Trip: 10.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1350 feet Contact: Skykomish Ranger District, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Maps: Alpine Lakes West Stevens Pass No 176S Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: Follow US 2 east to Skykomish. Then continue east for 1.9 miles…

Evergreen Mountain—short and easy hike in the Wild Sky

July 10, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Wild Sky Wilderness near Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet Access: From Everett head east on US 2 for 50 miles (just past Skykomish) turning left onto Beckler River Road (FR 65). Continue 12.6 miles to a five-way junction at Jack Pass. Take…