Pyramid Lake–A puny lake, but monumental surrounding forest

Quick Facts: Location: Ross Lake NRA, North Cascades Scenic Highway Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 4.5 miles High Point:  feet Elevation gain: 1500 feet Difficulty: moderate Contact: North Cascades National Park  Green Trails Map: North Cascades Ross Lake 16SX Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Access: From Marblemount follow the North Cascades Highway (SR 20) east for 21 miles to trailhead located…

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White Bluffs Hanford Reach

Wilderness and stark beauty along the Columbia River Quick Facts: Location: Hanford Reach National Monument Round Trip: 7.0 miles Elevation Gain: 500 feet Contact: Hanford Reach National Monument, Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Recreation Complex; Detailed Information: Day Hiking Eastern Washington (Mountaineers Books) Notes: watch for rattlesnakes; pack lots of water Access: From Ellensburg, follow I-90…

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Wallace Lake—Tranquil waters above thundering falls

Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 8.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet Green trails Map: Index, WA-No. 142 Access: From Everett follow US 2 for 28 miles east to Gold Bar. Just before Milepost 28 turn left onto 1st Street (signed for Wallace Falls State Park). Proceed for .4…

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Sage Hills Trail

Bloomin’ good hike in Wenatchee Foothills Quick Facts: Location: Wenatchee Foothills Round Trip: 9.6 miles Elevation Gain: 1125 feet Contact: Chelan-Douglas Land Trust Detailed Information: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Trail is closed from Dec 1 until March 31 to protect wintering mule deer. Dogs must be leashed; trail open to…

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Ebey’s Landing—A Sound Hiking Adventure

Quick Facts: Location: Whidbey Island Land Agency: National Park Service and Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 260 feet Contact: Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve  Suggested Guidebook: Urban Trails Everett Special note: Dogs permitted on leash. Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Mulkiteo to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Continue north on SR 525…

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Bridal Veil Falls — Visit after heavy rains for a bridal shower!  

Quick Facts: Location: US 2 near Index, Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 4.4 miles Elevation gain: 850 feet Green Trails Maps: Green Trails, Alpine Lakes Stevens Pass 176S Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Everett follow US 2 east for…

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River Trail

Hike along rapids at the mouth of the Green River gorge Quick Facts: Location: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park Land Agency: Washington State Parks Round Trip: 2.5 miles Elevation Gain: 175 feet Contact: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park Detailed Information: Urban Trails Tacoma (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Discover Pass required. Dogs permitted on leash. Green River contains strong currents—exercise caution…

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Twanoh Creek Loop

Wander a quiet ravine above Hood Canal Quick Facts: Location: Twanoh State Park, Hood Canal Land Agency: Washington State Parks Round Trip: 2.3 miles Elevation Gain: 400 feet Contact: Twanoh State Park Detailed Information: Urban Trails Kitsap Peninsula (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Discover Pass required. Dogs permitted on leash. Access: From Bremerton head west on SR…

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Virginia Lake─Sweet bird watching spot on Sauvie Island

Quick Facts: Location: Sauvie Island (Portland, Oregon) Land Agency: Willamette River Greenway, Wapato Access (Oregon State Parks) Roundtrip: 2.4 miles Elevation Gain: 50 feet Notes: Dogs must be leashed. Access: From downtown Portland, follow US 30 (NW St Helens Road) west for just shy of 11 miles turning right onto the Suavie Island Bridge. Then…

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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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