Fourth of July Creek—Celebrate Independence Day with these explosive views!

Quick Facts: Location: Central Cascades Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 11.2 miles Elevation Gain: 4,700 feet Notes: rattlesnakes are common along lower portions of trail. Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range 208SX Contact: Wenatchee River Ranger District (Leavenworth) More information: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (The Mountaineers Books) Access: From Leavenworth follow the…

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Lake Ingalls

Capture breathtaking reflective views of Mount Stuart Quick Facts: Location: Alpine Lake Wilderness, Teanaway Country Round Trip: 9.2 miles Elevation Gain: 2600 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum Ranger District, https://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen/Detailed Information: 100 Classic Hikes Washington (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Northwest Forest Pass required; dogs prohibited; wilderness rules apply; no camping at lake. Green Trails…

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Little Giant Pass

Shortest (but not easy) portal to the fabled Napeequa Valley Quick Facts: Location: Chiwawa River Valley Round Trip: 10.4 miles Elevation Gain: 4100 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District, https://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen/Detailed Information: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Wilderness Rules in effect; Chiwawa River must be forded—dangerous in high water…

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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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Whistler Canyon-big on bighorn sheep and Okanogan River views

Location: Okanogan Valley near Oroville Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest  Roundtrip: 5.0 miles High Point: 1,950 feet Elevation gain: 1,250 feet Difficulty: moderate Contact: Pacific Northwest Trail Association Note: Dogs should be under strict control as to not disturb the bighorn sheep. Access: From Tonasket, follow US 97 north for 14.5 miles to trailhead turnoff…

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Alpine Lookout –Wallow in good views and a chance to see a mountain goat or two

Quick Facts:Location: Stevens Pass-Lake Wenatchee regionLand Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National ForestRound Trip: 10.0 milesElevation Gain: 2,600 feetContact: Wenatchee River Ranger District (Leavenworth): Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Green Trails Map: Wenatchee Lake- No. 145Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades (Mountaineers Book)Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass Required.Several miles of trails on this hike are also open to mountain bikes…

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Driveway Butte– Give your calves a workout hiking this steep old cattle drive

Quick Facts: Location: Methow Valley Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Round Trip: 8.6 miles Elevation Gain: 3000 feet Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Green Trails Map: Green Trails Washington Pass No. 50 Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd Edition Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access: From Marblemount follow State Route 20 east…

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Sunrise Lake─Golden larches brighten the shores of this alpine lake

Quick Facts: Location: North Cascades – Sawtooth Ridge Land Agency: U.S. Forest Service Roundtrip: 13.0 miles Elevation Gain: 3,730 feet Green Trails Map: Prince Creek, WA- No. 115 Recommended Resource: Day Hiking North Cascades (Romano; Mountaineers Books) Access: From Twisp drive SR 20 east for 2.0 miles. Continue south on SR 153 for 12.0 miles turning right…

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Rock Mountain via Snowy Creek—Big sky views and perhaps a goat or two

Quick Facts: Location: Nason Ridge near Stevens Pass Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 9.8 miles Elevation Gain: 3,250 feet Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes Stevens Pass Map 176S Access: From Everett head east on US 2. Four miles past Stevens Pass turn left onto Smith Brook Road (FR 6700). Follow for 6.0 miles turning…

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Cooney Lake–larches at the edge of the North Cascades

Location: Sawtooth Ridge Roadless Area Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 16 miles High Point: 7,300 feet Elevation gain: 3,800 feet Difficulty: moderate Green Trails Maps: Prince Creek, WA- No. 115 Contact: Methow Valley Ranger District: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Notes: Northwest Forest Pass Required Access: From Twisp follow SR 153 south turning right onto Gold…

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