Marten Creek─Overlooked trail off the Mountain Loop Highway offers plenty of solitude

Quick Facts Location: Boulder River Wilderness, Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway WA- No. 111SX Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for…

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Old Kettle Falls Trail

Hike through an old town site along a tamed river Quick Facts: Location: Lake Roosevelt, Stevens County, WA Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 2.6 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Detailed Information: Day Hiking Eastern Washington (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs permitted on leash Access: From Kettle Falls head west on SR 20-US 395…

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Happy Panther Trail–Take a joyful catwalk in the North Cascades

Quick Facts: Location: North Cascades Scenic Highway Land Agency: Ross Lake National Recreation Area, National Park Service Roundtrip: 11.8 miles Elevation gain: 1200 feet Green Trails Maps: Green Trails, North Cascades Ross Lake No. 16SX Contact: North Cascades National Park complex Notes: Dogs must be leashed Access: From Burlington follow SR 20 east to Marblemount. Then…

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Whipple Creek Regional Park

Quiet forest wandering in bustling Clark County Quick Facts: Location: Clark County Land Agency: Clark County Parks Round Trip: more than 6.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 250 feet Contact: Clark County Public Works Parks and Lands Division Detailed Information: Urban Trails Vancouver WA (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; some trails…

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North Head Lighthouse–Hike to a headland at the mouth of the Columbia River

 Location: Cape Disappointment State Park, Long Beach Peninsula Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 4.2 miles Elevation gain: 300 feet Contact: Cape Disappointment State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs must be leashed Good to Know: kid-friendly, snow free winter hike, historic Access: From Kelso follow SR 4 west to Naselle. Turn left onto SR…

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Jacobs Point Park

Park rich with views, history, and wildlife on Oro Bay Quick Facts: Location: Anderson Island Land Agency: Anderson Island Park and Recreation Department Round Trip: 2.5 mile loop Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Anderson Island Park and Recreation Department Detailed Information: Urban Trails Tacoma (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs prohibited Access: From Steilacoom–Anderson Island Ferry terminal take…

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Scriber Lake–Wetland Wonder in the heart of Lynnwood

Quick Facts: Location: Lynnwood Land Agency: City of Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: 1.2 miles Elevation gain: none Difficulty: Easy Contact: Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Department; (425-771-4030) Notes: Dogs must be leashed Access: From Seattle take I-5 to exit 181. Turn left onto 44th Ave NW. At third light turn left onto SR 524 (196th…

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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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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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