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

Heart O' the Forest Trail─Peaceful path in the shadow of Hurricane Ridge

February 22, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Heart O’ the Hills Campground Land Agency: Olympic National Park Roundtrip: 4.6 miles Elevation Gain: 550 feet Notes: Dogs prohibited, National Park Entry fee. Green Trails Map: Elwha North/ Hurricane Ridge No-134S Access: From Olympic National Park Visitors Center in Port Angeles, follow Hurricane Ridge Road (aka Heart O’ the Hills Parkway) south. Continue 5.4 miles turning left into…

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…

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…

Lizard and Lily Lakes

February 2, 2024 |

Peaceful wandering near the Oyster Dome Quick Facts: Location: Blanchard State Forest Distance: 7.5 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet Contact: Washington Department of Natural Resources Map: Square One Maps Chuckanut Recreation Area Notes: Discover Pass required to park at trailheads Trailhead directions: From I-5 Exit 240 in Alger head north on Lake Samish Road…

Mowich Lake

January 25, 2024 |

Snowshoe to a “deer” location in Mount Rainier National Park Quick Facts: Location: Mount Rainier National Park Distance: 10.2 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 1,350 feet Contact: Mount Rainier National Park Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier National Park 269SX Notes: Dogs are prohibited; Route is non-groomed and shared with skiers; National Park pass or Interagency Pass…

Hurricane Hill─Storm this summit on snowshoes or skis

January 18, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 6.0 miles Elevation Gain: 900 feet Contact: Olympic National Park Green Trails Map: Elwha North Hurricane Ridge, No 134S Notes: Dogs are prohibited. National Park Entry Fee Required. Dec–Mar the road is open Fri–Sun and Holiday Mondays only weather permitting. All…

High Hut — Snowshoe to a heavenly hut in the shadow of Rainier

January 11, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Mount Tahoma Trails near Ashford Land Agency: Washington DNR and Mount Tahoma Trails Association Roundtrip: 8.6 miles Elevation gain: 2,400 feet Contact: Mount Tahoma Trails Association MTTA Map: Mount Tahoma Ski Trail System (MTTA) Notes: Sno-Park Pass required; Reservations required for overnight stays in hut Access: From Elbe head east 10 miles…

Second Beach– Home to First Rate Scenery

January 4, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Olympic National Park Land Agency: Quileute Nation and National Park Service Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: 310 feet Contact: Olympic National Park, Wilderness Information Center Green Trails Map: 99S Olympic Coast Beaches Notes: Dogs prohibited Access: From Forks follow US 101 north for 1.5 miles turning left onto State Route 110 (signed “Mora–La Push”). Continue…

Edmonds Marsh─Over 225 species of birds on 23 acres of wetlands!

December 28, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Edmonds Waterfront Land Agency: City of Edmonds Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: 1.8 miles Elevation Gain: Level Access: From I-5 follow SR 104 west towards the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry. One stoplight before the ferry terminal, turn left onto Dayton Street. Then continue for .1 mile to just before the railroad crossing. Turn left here…