Bird Watching
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…
Read MoreOaks 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…
Read MoreMount 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…
Read MoreSecond 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…
Read MoreEdmonds 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…
Read MoreSwan 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…
Read MoreClallam 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…
Read MoreJetty 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…
Read MoreEbey’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…
Read MoreNarbeck Wetland Sanctuary–Bird bursting, frog hopping wildlife habitat beside Boeing
Quick Facts: Location: Everett Land Agency: Snohomish County Roundtrip: 1.8 miles Elevation gain: none Difficulty: Easy Contact: Friends of Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary Notes: Dogs must be leashed; open 7 a.m. to dusk Access: From Everett follow SR 526 west 2.5 miles exiting onto Seaway Boulevard. Proceed for 1.0 mile north. Entrance is on right, across…
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