Heybrook Ridge–From the town of Index to stunning views of Mount Index

Copper Butte via Old Stage Trail– Take a historic route to the rooftop of the Kettle River Range

June 20, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Kettle River Range Land Agency: Colville National Forest Roundtrip: 6.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1615 feet Contact: Colville National Forest, Three Rivers Ranger District-Kettle Falls 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…

Steens Mountain– Into the heart of Oregon’s “Big Empty”

May 30, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Great Basin, Eastern Oregon Land Agency: Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (BLM) Roundtrip: Kiger Gorge Rim; up to 4.0 miles Elevation gain: Up to 500 feet Difficulty: moderate Contact: BLM Burns Office Access: From Burns, Oregon travel 60 miles south to Frenchglen. Take Steens Mountan Loop Road for 23 miles.…

Lookout Mountain

May 23, 2024 |

Look out over the Methow Valley and beyond Quick Facts: Location: Methow Valley, WA Distance: 3.0 miles one way Elevation Gain: 1170 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Methow Valley Ranger District Maps: Green Trails Methow Valley 51SX Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades (Mountaineers Books) Notes: trail open to mountain bikes and motorcycles; Final 1.5…

Mount Wells– Victoria area summit gushes with flowers and views

May 16, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Victoria—Langford, BC Land Agency: Capital Regional District Parks Roundtrip: 2.0 miles/ 3.2 km Elevation gain: 865 feet/ 264 m Maps: CRDP site Contact: Capital Regional District Parks Notes: dogs permitted on leash; please stay on trail to protect rare plants Access: From Victoria, follow Trans-Canada Highway 10.5 for miles (17 km) exiting…

Juniper Dunes Wilderness –A wilderness “sans” trails

May 9, 2024 |

Quick Facts Location: Franklin County, Eastern Washington Land Agency: Bureau of Land Management Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation gain: 200 feet Difficulty: Moderate Contact: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Spokane Office Notes: All approaches to this wilderness area are currently via private roads and land. The southern approach cannot be recommended due to poor roads and changing…

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…

Blythe and Chukar Lakes─Birds and beauty in the Channeled Scablands

April 11, 2024 |

Location: Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Grant County Land Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior Contact: Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation Gain: 300 feet Note: Dogs permitted on leash. Be snake and tick aware Good to know: dog-friendly, kid-friendly, spring wildflowers, exceptional birdwatching, snow-free hike Access: From Spokane, take I-90 west to Exit 179…

Mount Finlayson─This spoil of war now offers peaceful wandering

February 15, 2024 |

Quick Facts Location: San Juan Island Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: 290 feet Contact: San Juan Island National Historic Park Notes: Dogs must be leashed. Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Follow Spring Street for .5 mile through town turning left onto…

Swan Lake and Christmas Hill –A very merry hike minutes from downtown Victoria

December 21, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island Land Agency: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary Roundtrip: 3.5 miles/ 5.6 kilometers Elevation gain: 325 feet/ 100 meters Contact: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary Notes: dogs prohibited Access: From Victoria or Sidney, follow BC 17 (Patricia Bay Highway) exiting onto McKenzie Ave. Proceed east turning right onto Rainbow…