Wildflowers
Turtlehead — It’s one shell of a view from this Turtleback Mountain summit
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…
Read MoreSherman Peak Loop– In general, the views are great
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…
Read MoreGranite Mountain- classic fire lookout hike at Snoqualmie Pass
Quick Facts: Location: Snoqualmie Pass Region Land Agency: National Forest Service Round Trip: 9.0 miles Elevation Gain: 3700 feet Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snoqualmie Ranger District North Bend Green Trails Maps: Green Trails, Snoqualmie Pass Gateway no. 207SX Notes: Northwest Forest pass or Interagency Pass required; Alpine Lakes Wilderness use permit required May 15—Oct 31,…
Read MoreHuckleberry Mountain — Savor solitude high above the Suiattle River
Quick Facts: Location: Suiattle River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 12.6 miles Elevation Gain: 4500 feet Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway Map 111SX Notes: Glacier Peak Wilderness-wilderness rules apply; Practice Leave No Trace Principles Access: From Darrington travel north on SR 530 turning right…
Read MoreMildred Lakes — Brutal trail to a placid trio of backcountry lakes
Quick Facts: Location: Mount Skokomish Wilderness Land Agency: Olympic National Forest Roundtrip: 9.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2925 feet Contact: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District, Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East 168SX Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Hoodsport travel north on US 101 north for 13.7 miles turning left onto FR 25…
Read MoreIndian Henry’s Hunting Ground via Kautz Lake — Head to a fabled land of wildflowers!
Quick Facts: Location: Nisqually Valley, Mount Rainier National Park Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 11.6 miles Elevation Gain: 3200 feet Contact: Mount Rainier National Park Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier National Park 269S Notes: National Park Entrance Fee or Interagency Pass required; Dog prohibited Timed entry pass required for entrance into Mount Rainier National Park (Longmire and Sunrise…
Read MoreGlacier Basin─Strike it rich with great views on this tough hike
Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Barlow Pass Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 12.4 miles Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 30 miles to Barlow Pass. Hike begins by walking up gated Monte Cristo Road. Note: Northwest Forest…
Read MoreTubal Cain Mine and Buckhorn Lake — Take a “rhody trip” to an historic mine
Quick Facts: Location: Buckhorn Wilderness, Olympic National Forest Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 12.4 miles Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet Contact: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District, Quilcene, Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East 168SX Notes: Wilderness regulations apply Access: From Discovery Bay (Jct SR 20 and US 101), drive no US 101 north and turn left…
Read MoreGrand Ridge─Horizon-spanning views from the loftiest trail in the Olympics
Quick Facts: Location: Deer Park-Obstruction Point, Olympic National Park Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 15.4 miles. To Maiden Peak: 7.0 miles Elevation Gain: 3,400 feet. To Maiden Peak: 1,600 feet Green Trails Map: Olympics Mountain East 168S Contact: Olympic National Park Notes: Park entry fee; Pavement on Deer Park Road ends at National Park Boundary…
Read MoreFourth of July Creek—Celebrate Independence Day with these explosive views!
Quick Facts: Location: Central Cascades Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 11.2 miles Elevation Gain: 4,700 feet Notes: rattlesnakes are common along lower portions of trail. Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range 208SX Contact: Wenatchee River Ranger District (Leavenworth) More information: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (The Mountaineers Books) Access: From Leavenworth follow the…
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