Gothic Basin and Foggy Lake — Spiraling peaks, buttressed ridges, and a hauntingly beautiful landscape

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Service and Washington Department of Natural Resources Roundtrip: 9.4 miles Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet Green Trails Maps: 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…

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Kloshe Nanitch

Stand watch over the Sol Duc Valley Quick Facts: Location: North Olympic Peninsula-Sol Duc Valley; Land Agency: Olympic National Forest; Roundtrip: 6.4 miles; Elevation gain: 2,400 feet; Contact: Olympic National Forest, Pacific District North, Forks; Notes: Discover Pass Required; Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula (2nd edition) Good to Know: Dog-friendly, Trail Less Traveled, Historic…

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Mercer Slough Nature Park

Hike a slew of trails near the heart of Bellevue Quick Facts: Location: Bellevue Land Agency: City of Bellevue Parks and Recreation Distance: more than 7.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: City of Bellevue Parks and Recreation Notes: dogs permitted on leash, Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Eastside (Mountaineers Book) Access: Take Exit 12…

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Trail of Ten Falls–Hike through a canyon of thundering cascades!

Quick Facts: Location: Silver Falls State Park near Silverton, Oregon Land Agency: Oregon State Parks Distance: 7.2 miles Elevation Gain: 600 feet Contact: Silver Falls State Park Notes: Dogs prohibited; $5.00 per vehicle entrance fee Access: From Salem, Oregon follow SR 22 east from I-5 for 5 miles to Exit 7. Then follow SR 214…

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Fort Casey Historical State Park — Frolic through a fort, to a lighthouse, and on a pretty beach

Quick Facts: Location: Whidbey Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks Round Trip: 1.8 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 90 feet Contact: Washington State Parks Recommended Resource: Urban Trails Everett (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Mukilteo take ferry to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Then continue north on…

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Millersylvania State Park─Amble among ancient trees just minutes from Olympia

Quick Facts: Location: Thurston County Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation Gain: 75 feet Contact: Washington State Parks Recommended Resource: Urban Trails Olympia  Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs must be leashed. Access: From Olympia, head south on I-5 to Exit 99. Continue southeast on SR 121 for 4.2 miles. Turn right (west) into main…

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Dosewallips State Park Loop — Hike back in time through a quiet forest

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 3.6 miles Elevation Gain: 550 feet Contact: Dosewallips State Park  Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East 168SX Detailed Information: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Discover Pass required; Dog must be leashed Recommended Resource: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula  Access: From Quilcene drive US 101 south for 12…

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Beaver Lake — Trail holds a “slough” of surprises

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 3.8 miles Elevation gain: 100 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Darrington, follow Mountain Loop Highway for 9.0 miles to trailhead…

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