Kelley Creek—Wild Sky gem and quiet portal to Johnson Ridge

Quick Facts: Location: Wild Sky Wilderness, Skykomish Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 8.8 miles Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet Green Trails Map: Green Trails Stevens Pass No 176, Benchmark Mtn No. 144 Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: Northwest Forest Pass…

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Portage Creek Wildlife Area─Wetland wandering on the Stillaguamish Floodplain

Quick Facts: Location: Arlington Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Contact: Snohomish Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Notes: Dogs prohibited Access: From Exit 208 on I-5 (Arlington) head east on SR 530 for 2.3 miles. Then turn right onto 59th Ave SE. Continue for 0.2 mile and turn right…

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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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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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Quartz Creek–Hike through a majestic primeval forest along a crystal clear creek

Quick Facts: Location: North Fork of the Skykomish River Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 8.6 miles Elevation gain: 1450 feet Green Trails Maps: Monte Cristo, WA-No. 143 Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required. Access: The North Fork Skykomish River Road from Index, the…

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Mount McCausland—Rise above Valhalla!

Quick Facts: Location: Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 6.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes Stevens Pass No. 176S Contact: Wenatchee River Ranger District: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Access: From Everett head east on US 2 to Stevens Pass. Continue east for another 4.0 miles. Just after the…

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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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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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