White Pass–Sprawling meadows and stupendous views high on the Cascade Crest

Location: North Fork Sauk River Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 19.4 miles High Point: 5,850 feet Elevation gain: 4,000 feet Difficulty: strenuous Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Note: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass Required Access: From Darrington, travel south on the Mountain…

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Horse Creek Trail–Trot through towering coastal old-growth forest

Quick Facts: Location: Drift Creek Wilderness, Siuslaw National Forest Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 7.2 miles Map: Online from Forest Service Elevation gain: 1,400 feet Difficulty: moderate Contact: Central Coast Ranger District (Waldport), Siuslaw National Forest Notes: Drift Creek Wilderness is south of Newport. Do not confuse with popular Drift Creek Falls near Lincoln…

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Eight Mile Creek–Enjoy elegant cedars and polished granite outcroppings on the way to Squire Creek Pass

Quick Facts: Location: Boulder River Wilderness, Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 6.0 miles High Point: 4,075 feet Elevation gain: 2,300 feet Difficulty: difficult Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition Access: From Darrington, follow…

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Red Pass─High Portal to Glacier Peak

Quick Facts: Location: North Fork Sauk River Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 20.6 miles Elevation Gain: 4,300 feet Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (360) 436-1155; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Special Note: Northwest Trail Pass required. Access: From Darrington, travel south on the Mountain Loop Highway…

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Gee Point─ great views from this little-known peak!

Quick Facts: Location: Finney Block, Skagit Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation Gain: 700 feet Contact: Mount Baker Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (360) 856-5700; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs Green Trails Map: Oso, WA-No. 77 Access: From Burlington head east 28 miles on SR 20 towards Concrete turning right onto the…

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Peek-a-boo Lake — peaceful little lake and peek-a-boo mountain views

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Darrington Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 5.0 miles Elevation gain: 1600 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111 SX Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Darrington Ranger District Notes: Access road is rough and brushy in spots. High clearance necessary. Access: From Darrington follow the Mountain Loop…

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Lower Gray Wolf River– A nice place to hang out with the pack

Quick Facts: Location: Northeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Olympic National Forest Roundtrip: 7.0 miles Elevation gain: 900 feet Contact: Hood Canal Ranger District, Quilcene  Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East no. 168SX Notes: wilderness rules apply Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula Good to Know: dog-friendly; kid-friendly; easy backpacking options, Buckhorn Wilderness Access: From US…

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Goat Falls –“Kid-friendly” snowshoe trip near Mount Rainier National Park

Quick Facts: Location: White River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip:  2.5 miles Elevation gain: 500 feet Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier Wonderland no. 269SX Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Snoqualmie Ranger DistrictNotes: Northwest Forest Pass required at actual trailhead. When snow level is low, parking may be a challenge. Do not block…

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Sulphur Mountain –Savor Sweet Suiattle Valley Views

Quick Facts: Location: Suiattle River Road Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 10.0 miles Elevation gain: 4,600 feet Green Trails Maps:  Mountain Loop Highway Map 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass required Access: From Darrington, travel north on SR 530 for 7.5 miles turning…

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Cora Lake– Emerald lake cradled beneath craggy High Rock

Quick Facts: Location: Nisqually River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 1.4 miles Elevation Gain: 400 feet Contact: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Green Trails Map: Randle, WA no. 301 Notes: no pass needed; creek crossing might be challenging early in the season; trail is open to mountain and motor bikes Access: From Elbe, follow SR 706 east…

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