Mount Muller Loop– Stunning ridgeline hike above the Sol Duc Valley

North Head Lighthouse–Hike to a headland at the mouth of the Columbia River

March 3, 2022 |

Location: Cape Disappointment State Park, Long Beach Peninsula Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 4.2 miles Elevation gain: 300 feet Contact: Cape Disappointment State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs must be leashed Good to Know: kid-friendly, snow free winter hike, historic Access: From Kelso follow SR 4 west to Naselle. Turn left onto SR…

Hole in the Wall–walk a wilderness beach to a big natural arch

January 6, 2022 |

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Peninsula Coast Land Agency: Olympic National Park Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Green Trails Map: Olympic Beaches 99S Elevation Gain: None Contact: Olympic National Park Access: From Forks, drive west on SR 110 to Quillayute Prairie. Here SR 110 splits. Bear right (Mora Road), and drive 5.0 miles to the trailhead at road’s end.…

Third Beach– First Rate and second to none!

November 11, 2021 |

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic Coast near Forks Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 2.6 miles Elevation gain: 300 feet Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center Green Trails Map: Olympic Beaches 99s Notes: Dogs Prohibited Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Good to Know: kid-friendly, snow free winter hike; beach walking;…

Wagonwheel Lake─You’ll bust your axle on this tough hike

July 22, 2021 |

Quick Facts: Location: Staircase Area, Olympic National Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 5.8 miles Elevation Gain: 3,200 feet Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East 168SX Notes: Dogs prohibited; National Park entry fee. Access: From Shelton, head north on US 101 for 15 miles to Hoodsport. Turn left onto SR 119 proceeding for 9.3 miles…

Kloshe Nanitch

June 10, 2021 |

Stand watch over the Sol Duc Valley Quick Facts: Location: North Olympic Peninsula-Sol Duc Valley; Land Agency: Olympic National Forest; Roundtrip: 6.4 miles; Elevation gain: 2,400 feet; Contact: Olympic National Forest, Pacific District North, Forks; Notes: Discover Pass Required; Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula (2nd edition) Good to Know: Dog-friendly, Trail Less Traveled, Historic…

Lower Gray Wolf River– A nice place to hang out with the pack

May 6, 2021 |

Quick Facts: Location: Northeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Olympic National Forest Roundtrip: 7.0 miles Elevation gain: 900 feet Contact: Hood Canal Ranger District, Quilcene Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East no. 168SX Notes: wilderness rules apply Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula Good to Know: dog-friendly; kid-friendly; easy backpacking options, Buckhorn Wilderness Access: From US…

Fort Flagler Loop─Old defense post now protects undeveloped Puget Sound coastline

April 8, 2021 |

Quick Facts: Location: Marrowstone Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks Contact: Fort Flagler State Park Roundtrip: 5.6 miles Elevation Gain: 200 feet Access: From Kingston Ferry Terminal, follow SR 104 west for 15 miles turning right onto SR 19. Continue north for 9 miles to Chimicum turning right onto Irondale Road and proceeding 1.6 miles…

Rainbow Falls State Park

March 25, 2021 |

Stroll through groves of Old-growth above the Chehalis River Quick Facts: Location: Chehalis River Valley Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: up to 3.0 miles Elevation gain: 300 feet Contact: Rainbow Falls State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; dogs must be leashed Access: From Chehalis (exit 77 on I-5) follow SR 6 west for 16…

Lake Sylvia─A great place to log some hiking miles

December 11, 2020 |

Quick Facts: Location: Montesano, Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 4.9 miles Elevation Gain: 220 feet Access: From US 12 in Montesano, head north on Main Street past the county courthouse. Turn left onto Spruce Avenue proceeding three blocks. Then turn right on 3rd Street which becomes Sylvia Lake Road for 1.2 miles to…