South Whidbey State Park—Amble among ancient trees above the sound

Sunrise Lake─Golden larches brighten the shores of this alpine lake

October 1, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: North Cascades – Sawtooth Ridge Land Agency: U.S. Forest Service Roundtrip: 13.0 miles Elevation Gain: 3,730 feet Green Trails Map: Prince Creek, WA- No. 115 Recommended Resource: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition (Romano; Mountaineers Books) Access: From Twisp drive SR 20 east for 2.0 miles. Continue south on SR 153 for 12.0 miles…

Ape Canyon–Hike through old-growth forest above a swath of destruction

August 13, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 9.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1,550 feet Contact: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Green Trails Map: Mount St Helens 332 Recommended Resource: Day Hiking Mount St Helens (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required. Trail is also open to mountain…

Shoe Lake — A great hike good for your soul!

July 23, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Goat Rocks Wilderness Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 15.7 miles Elevation Gain: 2,625 feet Contact: Naches Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Green Trails Map: Goat Rocks William O Douglas Wilderness No. 303S Notes: Northwest Trail Pass or interagency pass required; Wilderness permit required, free, self-issued at trailhead; wilderness rules apply Access: From Packwood, follow…

Independence Lake–A great place to celebrate the 4th of July and the Freedom of the Hills

July 2, 2026 |

Quick Facts Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 1.5 miles…

Mount Townsend– supreme viewing of mountains and sound

June 11, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Buckhorn Wilderness, Olympic National Forest Land Agency: National Forest Service Distance: 8.2 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 2980 feet Contact: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District, Quilcene, Detailed Information: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 3rd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; trail open to horses; wilderness rules apply…

Icicle Gorge –Cool Hike for a Hot Day

June 4, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Icicle River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Distance: 4.2 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 350 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District, Leavenworth Detailed Information: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; dogs permitted on leash Access: From Leavenworth, follow the…

Lake Evan and Boardman Lake–Enjoy an easy hike to two family friendly lakes

May 21, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation gain: 300 feet Difficulty: easy (with some rough footing) Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Access: From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain Loop Highway east to the Verlot…

Notch Pass–Hike through history over Quilcene Ridge

May 14, 2026 |

Location: Quilcene Valley, Northeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 8.4 miles Elevation gain: 2,800 feet Contact: Hood Canal Ranger District Olympic National Forest Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 3rd Edition) Notes: Practice Leave No Trace Principles Access: From Quilcene drive US 101 south for 1.5 miles turning right onto Penny Creek Road. After 1.5…

Quarry Loop Trail─Lord Hill Park Trail is a cut above

May 7, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Lord Hill Regional Park Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 250 feet Access: From Monroe, exit SR 522 onto Main Street heading west and immediately coming to a roundabout. Bear right onto Tester Road and proceed 3.0 miles to a T-intersection just after passing under SR 522. Turn left and proceed to Tester…