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

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…

Read More

High Rock– The view of Rainier simply rocks from this precipitous peak!

Quick Facts: Location: Sawtooth Ridge near Ashford and Packwood, WA Land Agency: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Roundtrip: 3.2 miles Elevation gain: 1,350 feet Green Trails Maps: Randle, WA no. 301 Contact: Cowlitz Valley Ranger Station (Randle); Gifford Pinchot National Forest  Notes: Dogs are allowed, but should be on leash because of steep and dangerous drop offs.…

Read More

Goat Falls –“Kid-friendly” snowshoe trip near Mount Rainier National Park

Quick Facts: Location: White River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip:  2.5 miles Elevation gain: 500 feet Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier Wonderland no. 269SX Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Snoqualmie Ranger DistrictNotes: Northwest Forest Pass required at actual trailhead. When snow level is low, parking may be a challenge. Do not block…

Read More

Allen Mountain Trail Less Traveled near Mount Rainier

Quick Facts: Location: Mount Rainier region Land Agency: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Round Trip: 10.0 miles Elevation Gain: 2,350 feet Contact: Cowlitz Valley Ranger Station (Randle), Gifford Pinchot National Forest Green Trails Map: Randle, WA no. 301 Notes: Trails are also open to mountain bikes and motorcycles but use is light; this hike is lightly…

Read More

Cora Lake– Emerald lake cradled beneath craggy High Rock

Quick Facts: Location: Nisqually River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 1.4 miles Elevation Gain: 400 feet Contact: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Green Trails Map: Randle, WA no. 301 Notes: no pass needed; creek crossing might be challenging early in the season; trail is open to mountain and motor bikes Access: From Elbe, follow SR 706 east…

Read More

Lake West and Lake Helen – Seldom visited lakes within the shadows of Mount Rainier

Quick Facts: Location: Glacier View Wilderness Land Agency: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Roundtrip: 8.4 miles Elevation gain: 1,600 feet Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier West, WA no. 269 Contact: Cowlitz Valley Ranger Station (Randle), Gifford Pinchot National Forest Notes: FR 59 is rough in spots but is passable for passenger cars. Wilderness regulations apply. Free…

Read More

Dalles Ridge — Wintering Elk and Sublime Alpine views

Quick Facts: Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Land Agency: US Forest Service Round Trip: 8.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1900 feet Green Trails Map: Greenwater no. 238 Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: During periods of low snow levels, parking may be difficult. Access: From Enumclaw follow SR 410 for 13.6 miles turning left (shortly after passing…

Read More

Greenwood Lake–Solitude in the shadow of High Rock

Quick Facts: Location: Nisqually River Valley Land Agency: National Forest Service Round Trip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: 1450 feet Contact:  Cowlitz Valley Ranger Station (Randle), Gifford Pinchot National Forest Green Trails Maps: Randle, WA no. 301 Notes: Road to trailhead can be rough. Trail is open to motorcycles but sees little use as it receives little…

Read More

Corral Pass –Challenging snow shoe trip to high pass on Castle Mountain

Quick Facts: IMPORTANT CLOSURE NOTE: UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO SUMMER WILDFIRE DAMAGE THIS ROUTE AND SURROUNDING AREA WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2018. Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 11.5 miles Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Maps:  Greenwater no. 238, Lester no. 239,…

Read More