White Pass–Sprawling meadows and stupendous views high on the Cascade Crest

Location: North Fork Sauk River Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 19.4 miles High Point: 5,850 feet Elevation gain: 4,000 feet Difficulty: strenuous Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Note: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass Required Access: From Darrington, travel south on the Mountain…

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Scriber Lake–Wetland Wonder in the heart of Lynnwood

Quick Facts: Location: Lynnwood Land Agency: City of Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: 1.2 miles Elevation gain: none Difficulty: Easy Contact: Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Department; (425-771-4030) Notes: Dogs must be leashed Access: From Seattle take I-5 to exit 181. Turn left onto 44th Ave NW. At third light turn left onto SR 524 (196th…

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Devil’s Butte–A Frightful name but delightful hike in Lord Hill Park

Quick Facts Location: Lord Hill Park near Snohomish Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 3.5 miles High Point:  650 feet Elevation gain: 400 feet Difficulty: moderate Contact: Snohomish County Parks Notes: Dogs must be on leash; trails open to bikes and horses Access: From the city of Snohomish, exit SR 9 onto 2nd Street. Proceed…

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Lake Janus — quiet alternative to nearby Lake Valhalla

Quick Facts: Location: Pacific Crest Trail near Stevens Pass Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 6.5 miles Elevation gain: 1,550 feet Green Trails Map: Benchmark MT- No. 144 Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest  Notes: Self-issued free wilderness permit available at trailhead. Wilderness regulations apply. No fires allowed near lake. Practice…

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Eight Mile Creek–Enjoy elegant cedars and polished granite outcroppings on the way to Squire Creek Pass

Quick Facts: Location: Boulder River Wilderness, Mountain Loop Highway Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 6.0 miles High Point: 4,075 feet Elevation gain: 2,300 feet Difficulty: difficult Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest  Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition Access: From Darrington, follow…

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Gothic Basin and Foggy Lake — Spiraling peaks, buttressed ridges, and a hauntingly beautiful landscape

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Service and Washington Department of Natural Resources Roundtrip: 9.4 miles Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access:  From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 31 miles to Barlow Pass. Hike begins by walking up gated Monte Cristo…

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Benchmark Mountain–The meadows here measure up among the best

Quick Facts: Location: North Fork Skykomish River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 14.2 miles High Point: 5,816 feet Elevation gain: 3,700 feet Green Trails Maps: Monte Cristo, WA-No. 143, Benchmark MT- No. 144 Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest  Note: Northwest Forest or Interagency Pass Required Access: From Everett head…

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Riverview Wildlife Refuge –Quiet bird sanctuary on the Snohomish River

Quick Facts Location: City of Snohomish Land Agency: Snohomish Department of Parks and Volunteer Programs Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Elevation gain: minimal Difficulty: Easy Contact: City of Snohomish and Pilchuck Audubon Society Notes: Dogs must be on a leash. Access:  From Everett head east on US 2 to SR 9. Then follow SR 9 south exiting…

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