Maple Pass — Lofty North Cascades Loop lined with larches and long ranging vistas

Quick Facts: Location: North Cascades Highway –Rainy Pass Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 7.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet Green Trails Maps: Ross Lake North Cascades 16SX Access:  From I-5 north (Exit 230 ) in Burlington, head east on SR 20 (North Cascades Highway) for 98 miles to Rainy Pass near Milepost 158. Turn right into the…

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Mount Pugh — It’s quite a view from the summit of Pugh

Quick Facts: Location: Glacier Peak Wilderness, Mountain Loop Highway near Darrington Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 11.0 miles Elevation gain: 5,300 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway Special Series 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; The last 1.5 miles of hike…

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Hannegan Peak─Supreme views of snow and ice—and that’s the truth, Ruth!

Quick Facts Location: North Cascades Mount Baker Wilderness Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 10.4 miles Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet Contact: Glacier Public Service Center (360) 599-2714 or Mount Baker Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (360) 856-5700; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs Green Trails Map: Mt Baker Wilderness 13SX Special Note: Northwest Trail Pass or Interagency…

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Cascade Pass─Easy Portal into the North Cascades National Park

Quick Facts: Location: North Cascades Land Agency: North Cascades National Park Roundtrip: 7.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet Green Trails Map: Ross Lake North Cascades No. 12SX Contact: Summer – North Cascades National Park Visitors Center Newhalem: (206) 386-4495 ext. 11 or NCNP Visitors Center Sedro-Woolley (360) 854-7200; www.nps.gov/noca Notes: Dogs prohibited. No trailhead camping.…

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Perry Creek─Old growth, a cascade, sublime views to rugged peaks

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 11.4 miles Elevation Gain: 3.500 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 27 miles…

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West Fork Methow River

Follow a trail less traveled along a roaring waterway Quick Facts: Location: Methow Valley Round Trip: 5.0 miles Elevation Gain: 450 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Methow Valley Ranger District Detailed Information: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; watch for rattlesnakes Green Trails Map: Methow…

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Pyramid Lake–A puny lake, but monumental surrounding forest

Quick Facts: Location: Ross Lake NRA, North Cascades Scenic Highway Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 4.5 miles High Point:  feet Elevation gain: 1500 feet Difficulty: moderate Contact: North Cascades National Park  Green Trails Map: North Cascades Ross Lake 16SX Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Access: From Marblemount follow the North Cascades Highway (SR 20) east for 21 miles to trailhead located…

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Skagit-Sauk Reach Trail

Watch for eagles along an old remote rail line Quick Facts: Location: Skagit Valley Land Agency: Skagit County Parks Round Trip: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Howard Miller Steelhead Park Detailed Information: Day Hiking North Cascades Second edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Access: From Burlington (exit 230 on I-5), travel 38…

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Lookout Tree Trail — Snag a glimpse into the past

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip:  1.5 mile Elevation gain: 200 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: No passes needed Access: From Darrington, follow Mountain Loop Highway for 11.3 miles to unmarked trailhead located on your…

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Willapa Hills Trail─ Follow the Chehalis River back into time

Quick Facts: Location: Western Lewis County Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 10.0 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Access: From Chehalis (exit 77 on I-5) follow SR 6 west for 23 miles to the town of Pe Ell. At blinking red light turn left onto 6th Ave and proceed 0.1 mile to Trailhead at old…

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