Dockton Forest and Maury Island Natural Area — Explore Vashon Island’s grand park

Quick Facts: Location: Vashon Island Land Agency: King County Parks Round Trip: More than 10 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 450 feet Contact: King County Parks Detailed Information: Urban Trails Seattle (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Seattle take Washington State Ferry from Fauntleroy (West Seattle) to Vashon Island Ferry…

Read More

Southwest County Park─Emerald Swath above Edmonds

Quick Facts: Location: Edmonds Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: Up to 5 miles Elevation Gain: up to 250 feet Access: From Everett follow I-5 south to exit 181. Now follow SR 524 (196th St SW) west passing SR 99 and in about another mile turn right onto 76th Ave W. Proceed for about .5…

Read More

Padilla Bay Dike Trail–shore fine hike in the Skagit Valley

Quick Facts: Location: Skagit County Land Agency: Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Roundtrip: 4.8 miles Elevation Gain: 30 feet Contact: Padilla Bay NERR Access: From Burlington (exit 231 on I-5) proceed through roundabouts and head west on Josh Wilson Road for 6.4 miles. Upon entering the village of Bay View turn left onto 2nd Street…

Read More

Candy Cane Park (Terrace Creek Park)-Tis the season for a visit

Quick Facts: Location: Mountlake Terrace, southern Snohomish County Land Agency: City of Mountlake Terrace Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 125 feet Access:  From Seattle: drive I-5 north to exit 178. Turn right and follow 236th Street SW for 0.7 mile. Then turn left onto 48th Ave W and drive north 0.2 mile to park and parking on your…

Read More

Yost Park– Slice of Nature in the heart of Edmonds

Quick Facts: Location: Edmonds Land Agency: Edmonds Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: About 1.5 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 300 feet Contact: Edmonds Parks and Recreation Access: From Everett or Seattle take I-5 to Exit 179. Then head west on 220th Street SW for 2.1 miles. Turn right and head north on 96th Ave…

Read More

Priest Point Park─Make it your mission to hike this park

Quick Facts: Location: Olympia, Washington Land Agency: City of Olympia Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: 2.5 miles Elevation Gain: 300 feet Notes: Dogs must be on a leash. Access:  From Lacey, follow I-5 south to Olympia taking Exit 105B to Plum Street. From Tumwater, follow I-5 north to Olympia taking Exit 105. Turn right onto Henderson…

Read More

Pilchuck Tree Farm─Quiet wood roads from Meadows to Ridge

Quick Facts: Location: Northern Snohomish County, near Stanwood Land Agency: Pacific Denkmann Company Pilchuck Tree Farm Roundtrip: 3.2 miles Elevation Gain: 400 feet Contact: Pilchuck Recreation Association: www.pilchuckra.org Notes: All trail users MUST sign a liability release and have it on file to use these trails. Download here and mail (with $2 donation) to Pilchuck Recreation Association. Dogs…

Read More

Big Ditch─Dig in for some excellent swan and snow geese viewing

Quick Facts Location: Skagit Bay, Stanwood Land Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Roundtrip: 3.6 miles Elevation Gain: None Access: From Exit 212 on I-5 head west on SR 532 for five miles to the town of Stanwood. Turn right onto the Pioneer Highway and proceed for 2.6 miles to the junction with the Old…

Read More

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

Quick Facts: Location: Near Lake Roesiger between Monroe and Granite Falls Land Agency: Washington DNR Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation gain: 200 feet Contact: Washington DNR Notes: Do not block gate, nor drive past it if open. Active logging area, be alert to trucks on roadway and yield right-of-way. Access:  From Monroe, follow Woods Road north…

Read More