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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Portage Creek Wildlife Area─Wetland wandering on the Stillaguamish Floodplain

Quick Facts: Location: Arlington Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Contact: Snohomish Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Notes: Dogs prohibited Access: From Exit 208 on I-5 (Arlington) head east on SR 530 for 2.3 miles. Then turn right onto 59th Ave SE. Continue for 0.2 mile and turn right…

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Crescent Lake─Swan stop at the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers

Quick Facts: Location: Snoqualmie Valley south of Monroe Land Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Elevation Gain: None Notes: Discover Pass required; Crescent Lake is an active hunting area, so be aware of hunting seasons. Access: From Everett follow US 2 east to Monroe. Turn right onto SR 203 and follow for 3.8 miles turning right onto…

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Ruby Beach─Easily accessible but still wild

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Coast Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: To Ruby Beach: 0.5 mile; To Hoh River: 6.0 miles Elevation Gain: 80 feet Green Trails Map: Olympic Coast 99S Notes: Dogs permitted but must be on a leash. Access: From Forks, head south on US 101 for 27 miles to Ruby Beach trailhead.…

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McLane Creek– Wetland wonderland within minutes from downtown Olympia

Quick Facts: Location: Capitol State Forest Land Agency: Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Roundtrip: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR); South Puget Sound Region Office Notes: Discover Pass required; dogs permitted on leash Access: From Exit 104 on I-5 in Olympia, head west on US 101 taking the Black…

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Cape Flattery─Hike to the northwestern most point in Washington State

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Peninsula Coast Land Agency: Makah Nation Reservation Roundtrip: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: 300 feet Contact: Makah Indian Nation Green Trails Map: Cape Flattery, WA- No 98S Notes: Dogs allowed on leash, Makah Recreation Pass required ($20, available at Washburn’s General Store ,the Makah Museum and several other locations in Neah Bay).…

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Warrior Rock Lighthouse─A scenic and historic hike on Oregon’s largest island

Quick Facts: Location: Sauvie Island (Portland, Oregon) Land Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Roundtrip: 6.5 miles Elevation Gain: 10 feet Access: From downtown Portland, follow US 30 west for just shy of 11 miles turning right onto the Sauvie Island Bridge. Follow Sauvie Island Road passing Cracker Barrel Grocery in .3 mile (where…

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Theler Wetlands─Enjoy the sounds and smells of spring at Hood Canal

Quick Facts: Location: Kitsap Peninsula Land Agency: City of Belfair, Washington Distance: 3.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: 40 feet Recommended Resource: Urban Trails Kitsap Notes: Trail open dawn to dusk. Dogs are prohibited. Access: From Bremerton head west on SR 3 to Belfair. Proceed one mile beyond the junction with SR 300 to the…

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Jacobs Point Park

Park rich with views, history, and wildlife on Oro Bay Quick Facts: Location: Anderson Island Land Agency: Anderson Island Park and Recreation Department Round Trip: 2.5 mile loop Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Anderson Island Park and Recreation Department Detailed Information: Urban Trails Tacoma (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs prohibited Access: From Steilacoom–Anderson Island Ferry terminal take…

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