Benchmark Mountain–The meadows here measure up among the best

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…

Lyle Cherry Orchard–A great pick for spring wildflowers!

April 25, 2024 |

Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land Agency: Friends of the Columbia Gorge Roundtrip: 6.8 miles Elevation gain: 1,500 feet Contact: Friends of the Columbia Gorge Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; Beware ticks, rattlesnakes, and poison oak; parking limited especially on weekends Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge East No. 432S Access: From Bingen…

Flowing Lake–For peaceful wandering, go with the Flow in the springtime

March 21, 2024 |

Location: Three Lakes, east of Snohomish Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 1.2 miles Elevation gain: 100 feet Contact: Snohomish County Parks Notes: $10.00 day use fee; Dogs must be on leash Access: From Everett follow US 2 east for 10 miles turning left onto Westwick Road. Follow Westwick Road for approximately 2.0 miles bearing…

Barnaby Buttes

October 13, 2022 |

Mega-fauna hot spot in the Kettle River Range Quick Facts: Location: Kettle River Range Land Agency: National Forest Service Distance: 7.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1975 feet Contact: Colville National Forest Three Rivers Ranger District Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Eastern Washington (Mountaineers Books) Access: From Kettle Falls, travel west on SR 20 for 14 miles turning…

Crystal Peak

July 28, 2022 |

Old fire lookout site grants some of the best views in Mount Rainier NP Quick Facts: Location: Mount Rainier National Park Land Agency: National Park Service Distance: 7.8 miles Elevation Gain: 3,400 feet Contact: Mount Rainier National Park Map: Green Trails Mount Rainier National Park 269SX Notes: National Park Entrance Fee or Interagency Pass, Dogs-prohibited…

Mount Rose–How sweet are thy views!

July 7, 2022 |

Quick Facts: Location:Mount Skokomish Wilderness, Southeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Olympic National Forest Roundtrip: 6.7 miles Elevation gain: 3,500 feet Green Trails Maps: Olympic Mountains East No. 168SX Contact: Hood Canal District, Quilcene Notes: Wilderness regulations apply Access: From Shelton, travel north on US 101 for 15 miles to Hoodsport. Turn left onto SR 119…

Limekiln Point and Preserve

May 19, 2022 |

Orcas, old quarries, and a beautiful lighthouse Quick Facts: Location: San Juan Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks and San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Elevation Gain: 265 feet Contact: Lime Kiln State Park or San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Detailed Information: Day Hiking the San Juans and Gulf Islands (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Discover…

The Hummocks — Hike through the former heart of Mount St. Helens

May 5, 2022 |

Quick Facts: Location: Spirit Lake Highway, Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 2.5 miles Elevation Gain: 250 feet Contact: Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument Green Trails Map: Mount St Helens 332S Notes: Northwest Forest Pass (or interagency pass) required; dogs prohibited; off trail travel prohibited. Practice Leave No Trace…

Sun Top — snowshoe to a historic lookout in the shadows of Mount Rainier

December 30, 2021 |

Quick Facts: Location: White River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 11.0 miles Elevation gain: 3,050 feet Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Map: Green Trails Maps – Greenwater no. 238 Notes: Sno-park Pass required. Route is non-groomed and shared with skiers (do not snowshoe on groomed ski trail). Beyond the upper…