Unless you're an avid kayaker, you probably haven't seen Spirit Falls in person. Here's why you should.
The best easy day hikes in Washington! Whether you're new to hiking, have kids in tow, or are short on time, this post has a hike for you.
For more recommended hikes around Washington please head here: facebook.com/groups/HikeWashington Instagram: https://instagram.com/BrittanyWanderlust
Small Town Washington & Beyond is the travel resource to discover the best small towns, outdoor adventures, foodie finds and unique accommodations.
These are the absolute MUST DO beginner friendly Washington hikes! Ranging from easy to more challenging and a variety from around the state.
Kid friendly hikes in Washington State are plentiful. From hiking in the mountains to combing beaches, ancient forests to lush waterfalls, hiking in Washington is an adventure any time of year. 2traveldads.com
I've hiked the SKYLINE TRAIL Loop at Mt. RAINIER National Park four times, and each time I learn something new. Here's what you need to know.
Classic day hikes in and near Seattle
Hiking at Mount Rainier National Park is a great summer activity. These are the best hikes with kids or for a reasonable challenge. From Paradise to Sunrise, Ohanapecosh to Lake Mowich, great hiking trails for any skill level.
These are the absolute MUST DO beginner friendly Washington hikes! Ranging from easy to more challenging and a variety from around the state.
I've hiked the SKYLINE TRAIL Loop at Mt. RAINIER National Park four times, and each time I learn something new. Here's what you need to know.
Looking for somewhere to backpack or capture the Milky Way on the west slope of the Cascades? Look no further than Park Butte. With some of the best views of Mt. Baker's West Slope, on top of having access to the Park Butte fire lookout, and dozens of tarns near lakes to pitch a tent. This is one of the best locations you can stay overnight - especially if you snag the Lookout for overnight stay. The lookout is available in a first come first serve manner. If you don't get it, no worries, the camping here is amazing none the less. If your're not camping at a tarn near the lookout consider doing the short hike up to it for the sunset, the views are second to none with the light reflecting off the Puget Sound. Lets get started, From the Park Butte trailhead you'll walk just over 500 feet and come to a junction with the Scott Paul Trail, stay left. About half a mile after this point you'll begin hiking less and less over a trail and more over rocks due to the different routes Rocky Creek has had over time. Once you get past this you'll get to the section of the trail that's mainly switchbacks, the grind of the hike where a good portion of the hikes elevation gain is. While you're hiking the switchbacks you'll come across another junction with the Scott Paul trail, stay left again and use the sign as a half way marker, At this point you'll have hiked 2 miles. After continuing on the trail for an additional half mile you'll get your first good view of Mt. Baker and its meadows. Everything from this point on is a eye opener. You will also come to your last junction, this time with the Railroad Grade trail, stick left again. If you wish to hike this after setting up camp, you wont be disappointed with the close up views of Mt. Baker's glacier you will get. Continuing on the Park Butte Trail you will soon come up on fields of wildflowers and a large meadow, with your first view of the Park Butte Lookout in the distance. From this point on you'll will see dozens of good places to set up camp. I would recommended finishing off the hike to the lookout to see if its taken, if it is or your interests are not to stay in there at all, there are dozens of good tarns at the lakes beneath the lookout, or the tarn my party stayed at which is a few hundred feet from the lookout right off the trail. After camp is setup head down to the lakes for a scene that looks like something out of Lord of the Rings, go for a swim and get some photos of a landscape that will make all your friends jaws drop. When dusk hits head back to the lookout for an amazing sunset over the Puget Sound, and for a night full of star gazing. This hike has a lot to offer for only being 7.5 miles round trip. Happy camping!
Click HERE to know more about the best easy hikes in Washington State. This post was written by a local. These hikes are perfect for the whole family.
Growing up I never understood the allure of autumn - it simply marked the end of my favourite season. The days grow shorter at an alarming rate, the foliage is dying and falling off of the trees and, if you’re like me and live in the Canadian Rockies, the first snowfall of the year can come before
This list of beautiful easy hikes in Washington state is dog friendly, kid and family-friendly, and range in distance from 1 to 7 miles.
Discover the most jaw-dropping hikes at Mount Rainier National Park, including the epic 93-mile Wonderland Trail.
Whether you are on a small-town getaway or driving through and want to do some exploring, check out these epic things to do in Ellensburg, WA.
Ten of the best hikes in Washington State. Form The North Cascades to Rainier, hiking in Washington State is something you don't want to miss!
Find out all the amazing things to do in Mount Rainier with Kids featured by top US travel blogger, Marcie in Mommyland. Click here now!!
Get outdoors with the little ones! If you're visiting Mount Rainier National Park with your kids, take a look at these easy Mount Rainier hikes for kids!
The best way to describe the location is due east of Bellingham. After driving through gorgeous roads to reach Twin Lakes Road (fire service road 3065), you are treated to about a 4-mile drive up to the trailhead for Yellow Aster Butte and Tomyhoi Peak. The drive contains beautiful river views and waterfalls as it climbs its way up to trailhead. It can get busy, but overall parking is not difficult to find along the road side. The trail starts out by climbing, quite a bit. You gain the majority of the elevation within the first couple miles. Take your time and enjoy the views that are already presenting themselves. Once you leave the side of the hill and turn inland, you enter into a lush forest that provides a flatter terrain and some shade if the sun is beating down. Working your way through the forest, there are a few places to set the pack down and relax. As you arrive to the crossroads of tracks, wander off the main track just a bit to soak your feet in a babbling brooke as you eat lunch. The crisscrossing trails can add a bit of confusion. Explore as you please, but the main track is labeled clearly taking you on your way back up towards Yellow Aster Butte. As the track continues, the trail finishes the last of the forest and then continues to climb up through the valley. Cresting the last of the wooded area reveals the views of Baker and Shuksan seen across valleys and jagged snow covered peaks. If you go during autumn, the alpine flowers will cover the foreground in reds, yellows, oranges, and purples. Keep trekking along an exposed alpine meadow. At times in early summer there still can be snow, so be prepared. After cresting the last of the climb, there will be an unmarked junction that will differentiate between the day hikers and overnighters. If you are spending the night, descend a series of steep, narrow switchbacks down to the dozens of tarns that provide phenomenal tent sites. If you are day hiking, head up the last climb to reach the actual geographical feature called Yellow Aster Butte. After enjoying the stunning panoramic views, return the same way you hiked in. The entire trip to the tent sites or the butte is a relatively easy hike in. Average fitness level required. As always, know your limitations. The intermediate hike comes into play if you are going to attempt Tomyhoi Peak. Tomyhoi Peak is a great day hike from the tarns, making you work of the views you are treated to. Thomyhoi sits at about 7,400 feet elevation. The true peak requires some technical gear, including some climbing gear, and glacier walking gear. The trail up to Tomyhoi sits on the backside of the basin, rising steeply up the side towards the peak. Follow cairns until you see the track, and from there on, it is a well-defined foot path. From time to time, keep your eyes our for cairns. After the initial climb, it levels out slightly, but still gains altitude for just about the entire hike. There are times where it is totally flat, or even downhill. There are two points that do require a bit of a rock scramble, but nothing dangerous, totally feasible. There is a false summit partway up the ascent, don't give up! Keep climbing among the marmots and mountain goats to reach your goal. My crew and I made about 7,200 before deciding to turn back rather than risk the glacier walk. The views are truly spectacular, and you can get full 360 degree views of countless jagged peaks, snow covered mountains, Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. The entire up and down trek (plus lots of pictures and lunch) took us the better part of the day, about 5-6 hours. Work the cardio on the way up, work the quads on the way down. If you have the energy, attack one last hill to watch sunset. I was feeling pretty depleted after Tomyhoi, but managed to rally to scramble up one last hill. Trek out towards the far end of the tarns, towards Mt. Baker. There is one last unnamed peak snuggled among the last of the tarns that juts out drastically compared to the surrounding terrain. The hike up is a bit of a scramble, with a clear trail at times, and others you pick the best way up. The top offers an entire 360 degree view of the sky lighting up with the best purples, blues, yellows, oranges, and reds. From the jagged peaks to the monstrosities that are Baker and Shuksan lighting up with color, you will not go wrong. Pick your way back to your tent and go to sleep with a smile on your face. Tough it out to make it back to Bellingham, only about 2 hours, and enjoy a cold brew and delicious burger. There are tons of places to enjoy and re-fuel the body. There have been reports of some heavy bugs in the area, but I have not encountered in my two times up there. In WA, there is usually a common occurrence of rain, so do be prepared, please check the weather! The trail is a popular one, so an organization called Washington Trails Association does a great job maintaining the trail, and the road and trail conditions are usually quite good. Do enjoy!
Backpack to one of the most beautiful areas in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington State, Jade Lake, Dip Top Gap, and Pea Soup Lake!
Click HERE to find out all about The Best Mt Rainier Hikes. This post includes maps, photos, Sunrise, Paradise, and Ohanapecosh hikes!
Looking for some great hiking trails in Spokane, WA? Whether you're hiking with the whole family or want something more difficult, we've got you covered!
Everything you need to know about the stunning Maple Pass Loop Trail: difficulty, elevation, what you can see, a first hand account of the trail and photos of this incredible hike.
Ready for the hiking trip of a lifetime? These are the best hikes in North Cascades National Park, and in my opinion, Washington state!
Want to getaway to the Old West? Head tot he small town of Winthrop, Washington for outdoor adventures, pioneer memories and great restaurants and drinks.
Looking for the best hiking trails close to Seattle? From alpine lakes to mountain views, here are the best hikes near Seattle!
I was looking through some older wildflower images, wondering if we are going to have any wildflowers this year...Anyway, I liked this one, so I processed it. Looks a little dreary with the white background, so take a peek at it on black.
Discover the 13 best romantic things to do in Forks, WA. Including Rain Forest Art Center, Twilight Tours, Second Beach, Olympic National Parks, Sunset Lanes...
Small Town Washington & Beyond is the travel resource to discover the best small towns, outdoor adventures, foodie finds and unique accommodations.
Click HERE to find out the BEST hikes in Olympic National Park from a local. This includes maps, camping spots, beaches, mountains, and rainforest trails!
These easy hikes near Seattle are great for beginners that want to visit alpine lakes, see great views, and explore the PNW nature
Hiking is a great activity to do with your toddler. Here are some tips for how to do it in an easy, manageable way.
For more recommended hikes around Washington please head here: facebook.com/groups/HikeWashington Instagram: https://instagram.com/BrittanyWanderlust
