Posts Tagged ‘Trail Less Taken’
Twin Falls Lake–Hike to a secluded lake between two waterfalls
Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Washington Department of Natural Resources Roundtrip: 8.8 miles Elevation gain: 1,200 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop HIghway 111SX Contact: Northwest Region Ranger District WA DNR (360) 856-3500 Notes: Discover Pass required; trail beyond Ashland Lakes sees little maintenance, is extremely difficult and not…
Read MoreWest Fork Methow River
Follow a trail less traveled along a roaring waterway Quick Facts: Location: Methow Valley Round Trip: 5.0 miles Elevation Gain: 450 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Methow Valley Ranger District Detailed Information: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; watch for rattlesnakes Green Trails Map: Methow…
Read MoreSkagit-Sauk Reach Trail
Watch for eagles along an old remote rail line Quick Facts: Location: Skagit Valley Land Agency: Skagit County Parks Round Trip: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Howard Miller Steelhead Park Detailed Information: Day Hiking North Cascades Second edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Access: From Burlington (exit 230 on I-5), travel 38…
Read MoreWeowna Park
Hike a quiet forested bluff above Lake Sammamish Quick Facts: Location: Bellevue, WA Land Agency contact: city of Bellevue Parks and Recreation Round Trip: 2.5 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 500 feet Detailed Information: Urban Trails Eastside (Mountaineers Books) Map: online Notes: dogs permitted on leash Access: From I-90 exit 11B in Bellevue…
Read MoreQuartz 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…
Read MoreHappy Panther Trail–Take a joyful catwalk in the North Cascades
Quick Facts: Location: North Cascades Scenic Highway Land Agency: Ross Lake National Recreation Area, National Park Service Roundtrip: 11.8 miles Elevation gain: 1200 feet Green Trails Maps: Green Trails, North Cascades Ross Lake No. 16SX Contact: North Cascades National Park complex Notes: Dogs must be leashed Access: From Burlington follow SR 20 east to Marblemount. Then…
Read MoreCrystal Lake─ a trail less taken if you take the old way
Quick Facts: Location: White Chuck River Valley, Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 9.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,150 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access: Take Exit 208 off of I-5 following SR 530 east for 32 miles to Darrington. Then head south on the Mountain Loop Highway proceeding 9.0…
Read MoreWagonwheel Lake─You’ll bust your axle on this tough hike
Quick Facts: Location: Staircase Area, Olympic National Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 5.8 miles Elevation Gain: 3,200 feet Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East 168SX Notes: Dogs prohibited; National Park entry fee. Access: From Shelton, head north on US 101 for 15 miles to Hoodsport. Turn left onto SR 119 proceeding for 9.3 miles…
Read MoreAbercrombie Mountain– Northeast Washington’s second highest summit is first rate when it comes to views
Quick Facts: Location: Abercrombie-Hooknose Roadless Area, Selkirk Mountains Land Agency: Colville National Forest Roundtrip: 7.4 miles Elevation gain: 2,300 feet Contact: Colville National Forest, Three Rivers Ranger District (Colville) (509) 684-3711 Notes: Access road requires high clearance vehicle Access: From Colville, Washington travel north on Aladdin Road (CR 9435) for 25 miles. Turn right on…
Read MoreNorth Navarre Peak–The Summer Blossom Trail blooms with extensive views!
Location: Sawtooth Ridge near Lake Chelan Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 5.0 miles Elevation gain: 1,550 feet Contact: Chelan Ranger District: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Green Trails Map: Prince Creek- No. 115 Notes: access is via a long and bumpy gravel road. Four-wheel drive recommended. Good to Know: Exceptional wildflowers; exceptional views; backpacking options; exceptional…
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