Juniper Dunes Wilderness –A wilderness “sans” trails

Quick Facts Location: Franklin County, Eastern Washington Land Agency: Bureau of Land Management Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation gain: 200 feet Difficulty: Moderate Contact: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Spokane Office Notes: All approaches to this wilderness area are currently via private roads and land. The southern approach cannot be recommended due to poor roads and changing…

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

Quick Facts: Location: Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island Land Agency: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary Roundtrip: 3.5 miles/ 5.6 kilometers Elevation gain: 325 feet/ 100 meters Contact:  Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary  Notes: dogs prohibited Access: From Victoria or Sidney, follow BC 17 (Patricia Bay Highway) exiting onto McKenzie Ave. Proceed east turning right onto Rainbow…

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Ebey’s Landing—A Sound Hiking Adventure

Quick Facts: Location: Whidbey Island Land Agency: National Park Service and Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 260 feet Contact: Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve  Suggested Guidebook: Urban Trails Everett Special note: Dogs permitted on leash. Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Mulkiteo to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Continue north on SR 525…

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Lower Gray Wolf River– A nice place to hang out with the pack

Quick Facts: Location: Northeast Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Olympic National Forest Roundtrip: 7.0 miles Elevation gain: 900 feet Contact: Hood Canal Ranger District, Quilcene  Green Trails Map: Olympic Mountains East no. 168SX Notes: wilderness rules apply Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula Good to Know: dog-friendly; kid-friendly; easy backpacking options, Buckhorn Wilderness Access: From US…

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Hamilton Mountain — Breathtaking views from above Beacon Rock

Quick Facts: Location: Beacon Rock State Park, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 7.5 miles Elevation gain: 2,100 feet Contact: Beacon Rock State Park  Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs permitted on leash. Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge West No. 428S Recommended Guidebooks: Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge, 100…

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Mount Pisgah–Hike to a promising land of spectacular wildflowers

Quick Facts: Location: Willamette Valley south of Eugene Land Agency: Lane County Parks Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation gain:  1,050 feet Map: Park map available online Contact: Friends of Buford Park and Mount Pisgah Notes: $5.00 day use fee; dogs must be leashed Access: From Eugene follow Franklin Blvd (Exit 189 I-5 southbound or Exit 188B northbound…

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Tracy Hill — Wild turkeys and sublime views

Quick Facts:  Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land Agency: Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Roundtrip: 5.0 miles Elevation gain: 1150 feet Difficulty: Moderate Contact: Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Be aware of ticks and poison oak. Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge East No. 432S Good to Know:…

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Patterson Mountain — Bitterroot and Balsamroot and a bevy of other blossoms  

Quick Facts: Location: Methow Valley Land Agency: WA Department of Natural Resources Roundtrip: 3.7 miles Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet Contact: WA Department of Natural Resources Green Trails Map: Sun Mountain, WA- No.83S Notes: Discover Pass Required Access:  From Winthrop head east on SR 20 for .6 mile immediately turning right onto Twin lakes Road. Follow for 3.0 miles turning right…

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Catherine Creek Rock Arch–A touch of Utah in the Northwest!

Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land Agency: Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Roundtrip: 2.3 miles Elevation gain: 370 feet Difficulty: Easy Contact: Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Be aware or ticks and poison oak. Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge East No. 432S Good to Know: kid-friendly, dog-friendly…

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