Heybrook Lookout—Snowline prober above the Forks of the Wild Sky

Little Giant Pass

September 21, 2023 |

Shortest (but not easy) portal to the fabled Napeequa Valley Quick Facts: Location: Chiwawa River Valley Round Trip: 10.4 miles Elevation Gain: 4100 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District, https://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen/Detailed Information: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Wilderness Rules in effect; Chiwawa River must be forded—dangerous in high water…

Blanca Lake– A strikingly beautiful lake set beneath a formidable wall of jagged peaks

August 17, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Wild Sky and Henry Jackson Wildernesses, North Fork Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 8.4 miles Elevation gain: 3,300 feet Green Trails Map: Monte Cristo, WA- No. 143 Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required. No fires allowed…

Barclay Lake–placid lake at the base of awe-inspiring Baring Mountain

June 29, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 4.4 miles Elevation Gain: 225 feet Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes Stevens Pass Map 176S Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Special Note: Northwest Forest Pass required. Access: From Everett, head 40 miles east on US 2 to…

Lake Serene — Placid lake tucked beneath the terrifying towers of Mount Index

June 22, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: US 2 near Index Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 7.2 miles Elevation gain: 2020 feet Green Trails Maps: Index WA- No. 142 Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access:…

Kelley Creek—Wild Sky gem and quiet portal to Johnson Ridge

June 15, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Wild Sky Wilderness, Skykomish Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 8.8 miles Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet Green Trails Map: Green Trails Stevens Pass No 176, Benchmark Mtn No. 144 Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass…

Iron Goat Trail –Hike back into time to one of Washington’s most tragic events

June 8, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Stevens Pass Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 12.0 miles Elevation gain: 650 feet Green Trails Maps: Alpine Lakes Stevens Pass no. 176S Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass required Access: From Everett follow US 2 east for 55 miles to Milepost 55. Turn…

Wallace Lake—Tranquil waters above thundering falls

May 11, 2023 |

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…

Sage Hills Trail

May 5, 2023 |

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…

Ebey’s Landing—A Sound Hiking Adventure

April 27, 2023 |

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…