Bear Lake—A bear of a lake but not of a hike!

June 13, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Mark O Hatfield Wilderness, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 2.4 miles Elevation Gain: 575 feet Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge -West No 428S Contact: Mount Hood National Forest, Hood River Ranger Station Notes: Wilderness rules apply Access: From Portland follow I-84 east to…

Read More

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.…

Read More

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…

Read More

Fletcher Canyon– Explore a rugged rift in the Quinault Ridge

April 18, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Colonel Bob Wilderness Land Agency: Olympic National Forest Roundtrip: 3.8 miles Elevation Gain: 1100 feet Contact: Olympic National Forest, Pacific Ranger District, Quinault Green Trails Map: Mt Christie No. 166 Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Access: From Hoquiam, travel north on US 101 for 38 miles turning right onto South…

Read More

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…

Read More

Lanham Lake—Sublime snowshoeing above Stevens Pass

March 14, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Stevens Pass Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 3.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1,140 feet Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes-Stevens Pass WA No. 176S Special Note: Slight avalanche concern. Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Access: From Everett head east on US 2 to Stevens Pass. Continue east for another 5.8 miles turning right into the…

Read More

Green to Cedar Rivers Trail

February 29, 2024 |

Walk across Maple Valley through a “wilderness” park Quick Facts: Location: Maple Valley, WA Distance: 3.3 miles one way Contact: King County Parks Elevation Gain: 250 feet Notes: Dogs permitted on leash Trailhead directions: From Seattle follow I-5 to I-405 and take Exit 4 in Renton. Then drive SR 169 south for 11.3 miles turning…

Read More

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…

Read More

Tollgate Farm

February 8, 2024 |

Historic prairie at the Forks of the Snoqualmie Quick Facts: Location: North Bend, WA Distance: 1.5 miles of trails Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Si View Metropolitan District Green Trails Map: Mount Si NRCA no. 206S Notes: Dogs permitted on leash Trailhead directions: From Seattle follow I-90 east to Exit 27. Turn left onto Winery Road…

Read More