Double Bluff – Dog-friendly beach hiking on Whidbey Island

Quick Facts: Location: Whidbey Island Land Agency: Island County Parks, Washington State Parks, and the Washington DNR Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: None Access: Take State Ferry from Mulkiteo to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Continue north on SR 525 for 8.5 miles turning left onto Double Bluff Road. Proceed for 2.0 miles to road end…

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Hertz Trail –Hike along a wild shoreline of Lake Whatcom

Quick Facts: Location: western Whatcom County, near Bellingham Land Agency: Whatcom County Parks Round Trip: 6.2 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 60 feet Contact: Whatcom County Parks Detailed Information: Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Bellingham follow I-5 to Exit 253. Then follow Lakeway Drive east for 1.7 miles bearing…

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Heart Lake– A perfect destination for a St. Valentine’s Day hike

Quick Facts: Location: Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Parks Department Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Green Trails Map: Deception Pass/Anacortes Community Forest Lands No. 41S Elevation gain: 160 feet Contact: City of Anacortes Parks and Recreation; Friends of the Forest   Notes: Dogs must be leashed; some trails open to bicycles, horses. Access: From Exit 230 on…

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White River–Low country snowshoe adventure within the shadow of Mount Rainier

Location: White River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip:  up to 10.0 miles Elevation gain: 700 feet Green Trails Map: Greenwater No. 238 Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass; Parking can be a challenge when snowfall is heavy along roads. Do not park on road shoulders, or block access to substation…

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Hoyt Beach–Shoreline of solitude at the Mouth of the Sekiu River

Location: Northwest Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 2.0 miles High Point: sea level Elevation gain: none Contact: Washington State Parks  Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs permitted on leash Access: From Port Angeles, head west of US 101 for 5 miles. Turn right onto SR 112 and follow west for 46 miles to Clallam…

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Centennial Trail: Haller Park to Lake Bryant–river, wetlands, and rural charm

Quick Facts: Location: Arlington Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 6.2 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Contact: Snohomish County Parks Notes: Paved trail is also open to bicycles and is wheelchair accessible; dogs must be leashed. Access: Southern Access is from Haller Park in Arlington near the junction of SR 9 and SR 530, four miles…

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North Fork Sauk River — Walk among ancient giants

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 11.6 miles Elevation gain: 900 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway Map 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Guidebook Resource: Day Hiking North Cascades (Mountaineers Books) Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Darrington,…

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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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Balch Creek–Dramatic Ravine a Forest Park highlight

Location: Forest Park, Portland, Oregon Land Agency: Portland Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: 2.4 miles High Point: 425 feet Elevation gain: 300 feet Difficulty: easy Green Trails Map: Forest Park No 426S Contact: Contact/permits: Portland Parks and Recreation ; Forest Park Conservancy;  Notes: dogs must be leashedAccess: From downtown Portland, follow NW Vaughn Street west turning…

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Explorer Falls–It's an easy search to find these falls

Quick Facts: Location: Near Lake Roesiger between Monroe and Granite Falls Land Agency: Washington DNR Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation gain: 200 feet Contact: Washington DNR Notes: Do not block gate, nor drive past it if open. Active logging area, be alert to trucks on roadway and yield right-of-way. Access:  From Monroe, follow Woods Road north…

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