Wallace Lake—Tranquil waters above thundering falls

Turtlehead — It’s one shell of a view from this Turtleback Mountain summit

December 12, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Orcas Island, San Juan Islands Land Agency: San Juan County Land Bank Roundtrip: 5.6 miles Elevation Gain: 1295 feet Contact: San Juan County Land Bank Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; trail (partial) open to bikes (even days) and horses (odd days) Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island. Then head…

Robe Canyon─Follow a silenced railroad into a thundering chasm

November 14, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 2.4 miles Elevation Gain: 300 feet Green trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 7.0 miles to trailhead located on your right, directly across from Forest Road 41. Park on…

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…

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…

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…

River Trail–Big maples and hidden Snohomish riverfront at Lord Hill

December 14, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Snohomish Valley Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 5.2 miles Elevation gain: 650 feet Contact: Snohomish County Parks Map: Snohomish County Parks Notes: Dogs permitted on leash Good to know: Dog-friendly, kid-friendly, snow-free winter hike, good trail running Access: From Everett follow US 2 to SR 9. Head south on SR 9 and exit…

Snoqualmie Falls

December 7, 2023 |

Hike to the base of the falls where heaven connects to earth Quick Facts: Location: Snoqualmie Valley Distance: 1.4 miles Elevation Gain: 280 feet Contact: Puget Sound EnergyDetailed Information: Urban Trails Eastside (Mountaineers Books) Green Trails Map: Rattlesnake Mountain/ Mountains to Sound Greenway No. 205S Notes: dogs permitted on leash. Parking lot on west side…

Northern State Recreation Area

November 30, 2023 |

Wander the former farm grounds of a state mental health hospital Quick Facts: Location: Skagit Valley Distance: more than 7.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 400 feet Contact: Skagit County ParksDetailed Information: Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Books) Notes: dogs permitted on leash; park open dawn to dusk. Access: From Exit 230 on I-5…

Heybrook Ridge–From the town of Index to stunning views of Mount Index

November 23, 2023 |

Quick Facts: Location: Skykomish Valley Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 3.4 miles Elevation Gain: 780 feet Contact: Friends of Heybrook Ridge Map: Green Trails, Alpine Lakes West Stevens Pass no. 176S Notes: Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Everett follow US 2 east for 35 miles turning left onto the Index Galena Road (just…