Region

Central Cascades

Lake Valhalla– No slain souls here-just renewed ones

October 9, 2025 |

Quick Facts:  Location: Henry M Jackson Wilderness, Stevens Pass area Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 11.6 miles Elevation gain: 1,850 feet Difficulty: moderate Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes-Stevens Pass No. 176S Contact: Wenatchee River Ranger District (Leavenworth): Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Access: From Everett, head east on US 2 for 65 miles to Stevens Pass.…

Bald Eagle Peak — Old-growth, stunning views, and solitude

October 2, 2025 |

Special Note: We apologize for sending out the Longs Pass Hike earlier today as it is currently closed due to a forest fire. We had scheduled the hike to run about a month ago and regret not catching that the trail is now closed. We try to provide timely hiking destinations, but you should always…

West Cady Ridge—from wildflowers to autumn colors

September 4, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Wild Sky and Henry Jackson Wildernesses, North Fork Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 8.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet Green Trails Map: Monte Cristo, WA- No. 143 Recommended source: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest…

Fisher Lake–Quiet backcountry lake beyond Tonga Ridge

July 17, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Round Trip: 10.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1350 feet Contact: Skykomish Ranger District, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Maps: Alpine Lakes West Stevens Pass No 176S Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: Follow US 2 east to Skykomish. Then continue east for 1.9 miles…

Evergreen Mountain—short and easy hike in the Wild Sky

July 10, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Wild Sky Wilderness near Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet Access: From Everett head east on US 2 for 50 miles (just past Skykomish) turning left onto Beckler River Road (FR 65). Continue 12.6 miles to a five-way junction at Jack Pass. Take…

Surprise and Glacier Lakes—A surprisingly nice pair of sub-alpine lakes near Stevens Pass

June 26, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Stevens Pass area Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 11.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass required; Dogs permitted on leash; Wilderness rules apply Access: From Everett follow US 2 east to Skykomish. Continue 10 more miles turning right (just after…

Alpine Lookout –Wallow in good views and a chance to see a mountain goat or two

June 12, 2025 |

Quick Facts:Location: Stevens Pass-Lake Wenatchee regionLand Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National ForestRound Trip: 10.0 milesElevation Gain: 2,600 feetContact: Wenatchee River Ranger District (Leavenworth): Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Green Trails Map: Wenatchee Lake- No. 145Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd editionNotes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass Required.Several miles of trails on this hike are also open to mountain bikes…

Jay Lake — Solitude and camping at Wallace Falls State Park

April 10, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish River Valley, US 2 Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 11.5 miles Elevation gain: 1,575 feet Green Trails Map:  Contact: Wallace Falls State Park  Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs must be leashed; Camping requires a permit-attain from park prior to trip. Access: From Everett, follow US 2 for 28 miles east…

Peshastin Pinnacles — Hike though a magical kingdom of rocky spires

April 3, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Wenatchee River Valley near Leavenworth Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 1.5 miles Elevation gain: 400 feet Green Trails Maps: Wenatchee Mission Ridge no. 211S Contact: Peshastin Pinnacles State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; dogs must be leashed. Access: From Leavenworth follow US 2 east for 9 miles turning left onto North…

Mainline Trail—Hike through the heart of the Paradise Valley Conservation Area

March 6, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Maltby Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 3.2 miles Elevation Gain: minor ups and downs Access: From SR 522 in Maltby (5.0 miles east of Woodinville; 8.0 miles west of Monroe) head east on Paradise Lake Road for 1.7 miles to trailhead. Notes: Dogs must be on leash. Park open 7 am…

Want To Keep Up To Date On Hike Of The Week?

Subscribe and get new blog posts delivered to your inbox.