Martin Lake–Heart of the Golden Lakes

Turtlehead — It’s one shell of a view from this Turtleback Mountain summit

December 12, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Orcas Island, San Juan Islands Land Agency: San Juan County Land Bank Roundtrip: 5.6 miles Elevation Gain: 1295 feet Contact: San Juan County Land Bank Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; trail (partial) open to bikes (even days) and horses (odd days) Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island. Then head…

Ponytail Falls Loop

December 5, 2024 |

Behind the scenes beauty! Quick Facts: Location: Columbia River Gorge Oregon Distance: 2.7 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 450 feet Contact: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Maps: Green Trails Columbia River Gorge–West No. 428S Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs allowed on-leash. Trailhead directions: From Portland or Hood River,…

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

November 28, 2024 |

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…

Discovery Trail – Follow Lieutenant Clark along the Long Beach Peninsula

November 21, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Long Beach Peninsula Land Agency: Washington State Parks and others Roundtrip: 8.2 miles on way Elevation Gain: 200 feet Contact: Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau Access: For the southern trailhead, follow US 101 to Ilwaco. Turn left onto Elizabeth Ave and after two blocks turn right onto Howerton Ave. Park on Howerton Ave. Trail begins…

Robe Canyon─Follow a silenced railroad into a thundering chasm

November 14, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 2.4 miles Elevation Gain: 300 feet Green trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 7.0 miles to trailhead located on your right, directly across from Forest Road 41. Park on…

Barlow Point–Little known lookout site on Mountain Loop Highway

November 7, 2024 |

Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 2.5 miles High Point: 3,222 feet Elevation gain: 850 feet Difficulty: moderate Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Note: Northwest Forest Pass or Inter-agency Pass required Access: From Granite Falls, follow…

Sullivan Lake — Enjoy an “On Golden Pond” moment

October 31, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Selkirk Mountains Northeastern Washington Land Agency: Colville National Forest Roundtrip: 9.2 miles Elevation Gain: 650 feet Access: From Metaline Falls, Washington drive 2 miles north on SR 31. Turn right onto Sullivan Lake Road. Continue on this road for 4.7 miles before turning left onto FR 22. Proceed 0.4 mile, then turn right onto…

Boulder Lake—trail to this Sultan Basin Lake once again open!

October 24, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Sultan Basin Land Agency: Washington Department of Natural Resources Roundtrip: 13.8 miles Elevation Gain: 2,140 feet Green Trails Map: Index WA- No. 142 Notes: Dogs must be on leash; All hikers are required to stop and register (no fee) at kiosk at Olney Pass upon entering Sultan Basin Watershed. Access: From Everett…

Sherman Peak Loop– In general, the views are great

October 17, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Kettle River Range, Ferry County Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 6.0 miles Elevation gain: 1200 feet Contact: Colville National Forest, Republic Ranger District Notes: Hunting season has begun, wear orange Access: From Republic, head east on SR 20 for 16.8 miles to Sherman Pass. Turn left and follow access road .1…