Beaver Lake — Trail holds a “slough” of surprises

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 3.8 miles Elevation gain: 100 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Darrington, follow Mountain Loop Highway for 9.0 miles to trailhead…

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Pilchuck Tree Farm─Quiet wood roads from Meadows to Ridge

Quick Facts: Location: Northern Snohomish County, near Stanwood Land Agency: Pacific Denkmann Company Pilchuck Tree Farm Roundtrip: 3.2 miles Elevation Gain: 400 feet Contact: Pilchuck Recreation Association: www.pilchuckra.org Notes: All trail users MUST sign a liability release and have it on file to use these trails. Download here and mail (with $2 donation) to Pilchuck Recreation Association. Dogs…

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Index Town Wall –Steep and stunning hike above the Forks of the Sky

Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish River Valley near Index Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 2.6 miles Elevation gain: 1,300 feet Green Trails Maps: Alpine Lakes Stevens Pass Map 176S Contact: Washington State Parks  Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs must be leashed Access: From Everett follow US 2 east for 36 miles. Turn left onto North…

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North Lake–Secluded Lake off popular Mountain Loop Highway

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 6.4 miles High Point: 4,900 feet Elevation gain: 2,300 feet Difficulty: difficult Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway no. 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District Notes: Access road is rough in spots; high clearance recommended Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 26 miles. Just…

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Big Four Ice Caves — Cool attraction is a hot destination

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Elevation gain: 200 feet Difficulty: easy Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest  or Verlot Public Service Center (summer weekends) (360) 691-7791 Notes: NW Forest Pass required; DO NOT…

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Sultan River Canyon Trail — A near yet remote canyon housing big trees and a wild stretch of river

Quick Facts: Location: Sultan Basin Land Agency: Snohomish County Public Utility District  Roundtrip: 4.4 miles Elevation Gain: 850 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access:  From Everett follow US 2 east to Sultan. At a traffic light just past Milepost 23 turn left onto Sultan Basin Road. Follow for 13.2 miles (pavement ends at 10.4 miles) to an…

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Nakashima Barn─Northern portal to long distance Centennial Trail

Quick Facts Location: SR 9 just south of Skagit County line Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 8.0 miles Elevation Gain: Minimal Access: From Arlington (junction of SR 530-SR 9), follow SR 9 north for 7.6 miles turning left into park. Proceed .1 mile to parking area. Notes: Dogs must be on leash. Contact: Snohomish…

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Big Ditch─Dig in for some excellent swan and snow geese viewing

Quick Facts Location: Skagit Bay, Stanwood Land Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Roundtrip: 3.6 miles Elevation Gain: None Access: From Exit 212 on I-5 head west on SR 532 for five miles to the town of Stanwood. Turn right onto the Pioneer Highway and proceed for 2.6 miles to the junction with the Old…

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Al Borlin Park – Serene scenery along the Skykomish River

Quick Facts: Location: City of Monroe Land Agency: Monroe Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: Minimal Notes: Dogs must be on leash; Trail is prone to flooding during periods of heavy rain. Access: From Everett follow US 2 east to Monroe. Turn right onto SR 203 (Lewis Street). Proceed past Main Street traffic lights and within a short…

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Suiattle River– A wild river and majestic primeval forest within the shadows of Glacier Peak

Quick Facts: Location: Suiattle River Road Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 13.0 miles Elevation gain: 1,000 feet Green Trails Maps:  Mountain Loop Highway  no. 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass required Access: From Darrington travel north on SR 530 for 7.5 miles turning…

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