Cheam Lake Wetlands–Birding hotspot where the North Cascades meet the Fraser River

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…

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…

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

April 23, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Whidbey Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 2.3 miles Elevation Gain: 200 feet Contact: South Whidbey State Park Notes: Discover Pass Required: Dogs must be leashed Access: From the Clinton Ferry Terminal on Whidbey Island follow SR 525 north for 9.4 miles turning left onto Bush Point Road. After 2.2 miles road…

Tumwater Pipeline Trail—Hike along “strong water” watching rafters and rapids

April 16, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Wenatchee River Valley Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 2.4 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Green trails Map: Leavenworth- No. 178 Access: From Everett head east on US 2 passing Stevens Pass to Coles Corner. Continue east on US 2 for 12.7 miles to trailhead located on your right (between Mileposts 97…

Quinault Rainforest Loop — Easily accessible trail system through an Olympic Rainforest

April 2, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Lake Quinault Land Agency: Olympic National Forest Roundtrip: 3.9 miles Elevation Gain: 500 feet Contact: Olympic National Forest, Pacific Ranger District, Quinault Detailed Information: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 3rd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; dogs should on leash Access: From Hoquiam travel north on US 101 for 35 miles.…

Balch Creek–Dramatic Ravine a Forest Park highlight

March 19, 2026 |

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…

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

March 12, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Near Lake Roesiger between Monroe and Granite Falls Land Agency: Washington DNR Roundtrip: 5.2 miles Elevation gain: 700 feet Contact: Washington DNR Notes: Discover Pass Required. Do not block gates, nor drive past it if open. Active logging area, be alert to trucks on roadway and yield right-of-way. Access: From Monroe, follow…