Little Cranberry Lake — A perfect complement hike to your Thanksgiving Day celebration

Quick Facts: Location: Anacortes-Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands Roundtrip: 1.9 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Access:  From Exit 230 on I-5 in Burlington, head west on SR 20 to junction with SR 20-Spur. Continue right on SR 20-Spur to Anacortes. At traffic light near old town, continue left on 12th Street (still SR 20-Spur and12th Street…

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Blythe and Chukar Lakes─Birds and beauty in the Channeled Scablands

Location: Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Grant County Land Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior Contact: Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation Gain: 300 feet Note: Dogs permitted on leash. Be snake and tick aware Good to know: dog-friendly, kid-friendly, spring wildflowers, exceptional birdwatching, snow-free hike Access: From Spokane, take I-90 west to Exit 179…

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Oaks to Wetlands Trail─ A slough of birds and delights along the Columbia River

Quick Facts: Location: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Clark County Land Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 75 feet Contact: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Notes: Dogs prohibited. Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Vancouver WA (Mountaineers Books) Access: From Exit 14 on I-5 head west 3.0 miles on SR 501 (Pioneer Street) to its…

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Mount Finlayson─This spoil of war now offers peaceful wandering

Quick Facts Location: San Juan Island Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: 290 feet Contact: San Juan Island National Historic Park Notes: Dogs must be leashed. Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Follow Spring Street for .5 mile through town turning left onto…

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Second Beach– Home to First Rate Scenery

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic National Park Land Agency: Quileute Nation and National Park Service Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: 310 feet Contact: Olympic National Park, Wilderness Information Center Green Trails Map: 99S Olympic Coast Beaches Notes: Dogs prohibited Access: From Forks follow US 101 north for 1.5 miles turning left onto State Route 110 (signed “Mora–La Push”). Continue…

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Edmonds Marsh─Over 225 species of birds on 23 acres of wetlands!

Quick Facts: Location: Edmonds Waterfront Land Agency: City of Edmonds Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: 1.8 miles Elevation Gain: Level Access: From I-5 follow SR 104 west towards the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry. One stoplight before the ferry terminal, turn left onto Dayton Street. Then continue for .1 mile to just before the railroad crossing. Turn left here…

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Swan Lake and Christmas Hill –A very merry hike minutes from downtown Victoria

Quick Facts: Location: Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island Land Agency: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary Roundtrip: 3.5 miles/ 5.6 kilometers Elevation gain: 325 feet/ 100 meters Contact:  Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary  Notes: dogs prohibited Access: From Victoria or Sidney, follow BC 17 (Patricia Bay Highway) exiting onto McKenzie Ave. Proceed east turning right onto Rainbow…

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Clallam Bay Spit — Explore Washington’s deserted and spectacular North Coast

Quick Facts: Location: Strait of Juan de Fuca, North Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Clallam County Parks and Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 2.1 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Clallam County Parks Notes: Dogs permitted on leash Access:  From Port Angeles follow US 101 west for 5.4 miles to SR 112. Continue west for 44 miles on SR 112 to the community…

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Jetty Island– It may be manmade, but it’s naturally delightful!

Quick Facts: Location: Everett Land Agency: Everett Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: up to 5.0 miles Elevation gain: none Difficulty: Easy Contact: Everett Parks and Recreation Department Notes: Parking fee $2.00 (credit card or exact amount cash) Passenger Ferry runs on Wednesday through Sunday from July 5th until September 3rd and requires a reservation ($3 per…

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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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