Whistler Canyon-big on bighorn sheep and Okanogan River views

Location: Okanogan Valley near Oroville Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest  Roundtrip: 5.0 miles High Point: 1,950 feet Elevation gain: 1,250 feet Difficulty: moderate Contact: Pacific Northwest Trail Association Note: Dogs should be under strict control as to not disturb the bighorn sheep. Access: From Tonasket, follow US 97 north for 14.5 miles to trailhead turnoff…

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Sugarloaf — Savor Sweet Salish Sea Views

Quick Facts: Location: Anacortes, Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands Roundtrip: 2.5 miles Elevation gain: 650 feet Contact: Anacortes Parks and Recreation   Notes: dogs permitted on leash; some trails open to bicycles, horses. Access: From Exit 230 on I-5 in Burlington, head west on SR 20 for 13.5 miles. Turn right onto…

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Fort Casey Historical State Park — Frolic through a fort, to a lighthouse, and on a pretty beach

Quick Facts: Location: Whidbey Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks Round Trip: 1.8 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 90 feet Contact: Washington State Parks Recommended Resource: Urban Trails Everett (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Mukilteo take ferry to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Then continue north on…

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Thirteenmile Canyon– Wander one of wildest wilderness canyons in Eastern Washington

Location: Colville National Forest, Ferry County, Wa Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 9.0 miles Elevation gain: 1,700 feet Contact: Colville National Forest, Republic Ranger District Notes: beware of rattlesnakes Access: From Republic follow SR 21 south 12.3 miles to trailhead located just within the Colville Indian Reservation Boundary. If coming from Wilbur, follow SR…

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Heart Lake– A perfect destination for a St. Valentine’s Day hike

Quick Facts: Location: Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Parks Department Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Green Trails Map: Deception Pass/Anacortes Community Forest Lands No. 41S Elevation gain: 160 feet Contact: City of Anacortes Parks and Recreation; Friends of the Forest   Notes: Dogs must be leashed; some trails open to bicycles, horses. Access: From Exit 230 on…

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Padilla Bay Dike Trail–shore fine hike in the Skagit Valley

Quick Facts: Location: Skagit County Land Agency: Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Roundtrip: 4.8 miles Elevation Gain: 30 feet Contact: Padilla Bay NERR Access: From Burlington (exit 231 on I-5) proceed through roundabouts and head west on Josh Wilson Road for 6.4 miles. Upon entering the village of Bay View turn left onto 2nd Street…

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Wapaloosie Mountain–a wapaloosie of a peak indeed!

Location: Kettle River Range Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 6.0 miles Elevation gain: 2,000 feet Contact: Colville National Forest Access: From Republic, head east on SR 20 for 21 miles turning left  onto FR 2030 (Albion Hill Road). From Kettle Falls, head west on SR 20 for 22 miles, turning right onto FR 2030. Follow FR…

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