Spencer Island — Wildlife refuge in the heart of the Snohomish River Delta

Quick Facts: Location: Snohomish River Delta, Everett Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation gain: none Contact: Snohomish County Parks Notes: Dogs prohibited; Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife manages northern half of island which is open seasonally to hunting. Good to Know: Practice Leave No Trace, kid-friendly, snow free winter hike, exceptional bird…

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Kelcema Lake-Satisfying snowshoe trip to ancient forest flanked subalpine lake

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip:  9.6 miles Elevation gain: 1,600 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Access: From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 23.5 miles to Deer Creek Parking…

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Cutthroat Lakes– Hike to a set of beautiful tarns beneath Bald Mountain

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Washington Department of Natural Resources Roundtrip: 6.0 miles Elevation gain: 1,700 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Recommended Resource: Day Hiking North Cascades (Romano; Mountaineers Books) Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest   Notes: access road is narrow and parking is limited.…

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Mount Dickerman–arduous climb to sweeping alpine views

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 8.6 miles High Point: 5,723 feet Elevation gain: 3,900 feet Difficulty: difficult Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway No. 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass required Access: From Granite Falls follow…

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Southwest County Park─Emerald Swath above Edmonds

Quick Facts: Location: Edmonds Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: Up to 5 miles Elevation Gain: up to 250 feet Access: From Everett follow I-5 south to exit 181. Now follow SR 524 (196th St SW) west passing SR 99 and in about another mile turn right onto 76th Ave W. Proceed for about .5…

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Centennial Trail: Haller Park to Lake Bryant–river, wetlands, and rural charm

Quick Facts: Location: Arlington Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 6.2 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Contact: Snohomish County Parks Notes: Paved trail is also open to bicycles and is wheelchair accessible; dogs must be leashed. Access: Southern Access is from Haller Park in Arlington near the junction of SR 9 and SR 530, four miles…

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Candy Cane Park (Terrace Creek Park)-Tis the season for a visit

Quick Facts: Location: Mountlake Terrace, southern Snohomish County Land Agency: City of Mountlake Terrace Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 125 feet Access:  From Seattle: drive I-5 north to exit 178. Turn right and follow 236th Street SW for 0.7 mile. Then turn left onto 48th Ave W and drive north 0.2 mile to park and parking on your…

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Yost Park– Slice of Nature in the heart of Edmonds

Quick Facts: Location: Edmonds Land Agency: Edmonds Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: About 1.5 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 300 feet Contact: Edmonds Parks and Recreation Access: From Everett or Seattle take I-5 to Exit 179. Then head west on 220th Street SW for 2.1 miles. Turn right and head north on 96th Ave…

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Boulder River─ walk among crashing waterfalls and through primeval forest

Quick Facts Location: Boulder River Wilderness, near Darrington Land Agency: National Forest Service Round trip: 9.6 miles Elevation Gain: 750 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access: From Arlington follow SR 530 for 20 miles. Just beyond Milepost 41 near a subdivision turn right onto FR 2010 and continue for 3.7 miles to trailhead. Contact:…

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North Fork Sauk River — Walk among ancient giants

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 11.6 miles Elevation gain: 900 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway Map 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Guidebook Resource: Day Hiking North Cascades (Mountaineers Books) Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Darrington,…

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