Benchmark Mountain–The meadows here measure up among the best

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…

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Abercrombie Mountain– Northeast Washington’s second highest summit is first rate when it comes to views

Quick Facts: Location: Abercrombie-Hooknose Roadless Area, Selkirk Mountains Land Agency: Colville National Forest Roundtrip: 7.4 miles Elevation gain: 2,300 feet Contact: Colville National Forest, Three Rivers Ranger District (Colville) (509) 684-3711 Notes: Access road requires high clearance vehicle Access: From Colville, Washington travel north on Aladdin Road (CR 9435) for 25 miles. Turn right on…

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

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…

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Hamilton Mountain — Breathtaking views from above Beacon Rock

Quick Facts: Location: Beacon Rock State Park, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 7.5 miles Elevation gain: 2,100 feet Contact: Beacon Rock State Park  Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs permitted on leash. Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge West No. 428S Recommended Guidebooks: Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge, 100…

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Goat Falls –“Kid-friendly” snowshoe trip near Mount Rainier National Park

Quick Facts: Location: White River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip:  2.5 miles Elevation gain: 500 feet Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier Wonderland no. 269SX Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Snoqualmie Ranger DistrictNotes: Northwest Forest Pass required at actual trailhead. When snow level is low, parking may be a challenge. Do not block…

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Old Government Trail–Follow in the footsteps of long gone miners and adventurers

Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 4.0 miles High Point: 2,450 feet Elevation gain: 400 feet Difficulty: difficult Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest ( Notes: Northwest Forest Pass required Access: : From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain…

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Jungle Hill–a scenic and challenging boogie to the Kettle Crest

Location: Colville National Forest, near Republic Land Agency: US Forest Service Roundtrip: 8.0 miles High Point: 6,550 feet Elevation gain: 2,250 feet Difficulty: moderate Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Eastern Washington Contact: Colville National Forest Access: From Republic, head east on SR 20 for 25 miles turning left onto FR 2030 (Albion Hill Road). From Kettle…

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Johnson Ridge–Ridgeline hike in the Wild Sky Wilderness

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…

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Dirty Face Ridge– Make a clean break from Mount Townsend’s crowds

Quick Facts: Location: Buckhorn Wilderness, Northeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Olympic National Forest Roundtrip: 7.8 miles Elevation gain: 3,000 feet Green Trails Maps: Olympic Mountains East No. 168SX Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) by Craig Romano Contact: Hood Canal District, Olympic National Forest Quilcene Access: Take US 101 to Louella…

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Beaver Lake Loop–wetland wonderland on Lord Hill

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…

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