West Hylebos Wetlands Park

Exceptional peat bog in heart of Puget Sound urban sprawl Quick Facts: Location: Federal Way, WA Land Agency contact: city of Federal Way Parks and Recreation Round Trip: 1.4 miles of trails Elevation Gain: 225 feet Detailed Information: Urban Trails Tacoma (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs prohibited. Park open dusk to dawn Access: From I-5 Exit…

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Mount Erie

Fidalgo Island highpoint grants sweeping views Quick Facts: Location: Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) Round Trip: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 910 feet Contact: Anacortes Parks and Recreation Detailed Information: Day Hiking San Juans and Gulf Islands (Mountaineers Books) Map: online Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Some trails open to bicycles, horses…

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Lucia Falls Regional Park

Small falls roar come winter Quick Facts: Location: East Fork Lewis River, Clark County WA Land Agency: Clark County Parks Round Trip: 1.0 mile Elevation Gain: 60 feet Contact: Clark County Parks Detailed Information: Urban Trails Vancouver WA (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Park is open 7 am until dusk Access: From Battle…

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Ruby Beach─Easily accessible but still wild

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Coast Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: To Ruby Beach: 0.5 mile; To Hoh River: 6.0 miles Elevation Gain: 80 feet Green Trails Map: Olympic Coast 99S Notes: Dogs permitted but must be on a leash. Access: From Forks, head south on US 101 for 27 miles to Ruby Beach trailhead.…

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Christmas Lake and Cedar Butte- Bad tidings and spelling

Quick Facts: Location: Snoqualmie Valley near North Bend Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 4.2 miles Elevation Gain: 900 feet Green Trails Map: Rattlesnake Mountain Upper Snoqualmie Valley 205S Access: From Seattle take I-90 east to exit 32 in North Bend turning right (south) onto 436th Ave SE which soon becomes Cedar Falls Road. Follow for 3.1…

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Penrose Point State Park

Madronas, big maples and sweeping views of Mount Rainier Quick Facts: Location: Key Peninsula Land Agency: Washington State Parks Round Trip: 2.5 miles of trails Elevation Gain: 200 feet Contact: Penrose Point State Park Detailed Information: Urban Trails Kitsap (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Discover Pass required, Dogs permitted on leash Access: From Purdy (just north of…

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Lake Tye—Greenbelt Park preserves history and scenery

Quick Facts: Location: City of Monroe Land Agency: Monroe Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: 1.6 miles Elevation Gain: None Notes: Dogs must be on leash. Access: From Everett follow US 2 east towards Monroe. Turn right at first traffic light onto Fryelands Boulevard. Continue for .7 mile to junction with Wales Street. Turn right into…

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McLane Creek– Wetland wonderland within minutes from downtown Olympia

Quick Facts: Location: Capitol State Forest Land Agency: Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Roundtrip: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR); South Puget Sound Region Office Notes: Discover Pass required; dogs permitted on leash Access: From Exit 104 on I-5 in Olympia, head west on US 101 taking the Black…

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Lookout Tree Trail — Snag a glimpse into the past

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip:  1.5 mile Elevation gain: 200 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: No passes needed Access: From Darrington, follow Mountain Loop Highway for 11.3 miles to unmarked trailhead located on your…

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