Talapus Lake Hike near Snoqualmie Pass
The very popular Talapus lake hike is a 4 mile round trip with a bit under 1000 feet of elevation gain mellow hike to a lake within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, which is awesome for summer! You have the option of adding another mile and a bit more uphill...
Exploring Ketchikan Beyond the Cruise Ship Dock
Are you spending a day in Ketchikan on a cruise ship and want to explore the town on your own? Or are you looking for the quickest way to get to Alaska and start exploring? Did you know that Ketchikan is just a 90 minute flight from Seattle? Ketchikan...
Naches Peak Loop Hike: Summer wildflowers, fall colors, epic views
The Naches Peak Loop hike is one of my favorite hikes in Mt Rainier National Park and even in all of Washington State! I’ve written about it before, including in my post about Mt Rainier wildflower hikes and my post for a day trip to Mt Rainier. This hike...
Talus Loop hike: something different on Mt Si
I’ve written before about reasons NOT to hike the Mt Si trail, but recently I set out to explore a few of the other trails from that same trailhead, now that the trailhead direct bus service serves it. The Talus loop hike is a terrific alternative to Mt Si,...
How to Deal with Mosquitoes in Alaska (and elsewhere)
One question visitors commonly have about Alaska travel is “when can I go without bugs”?? And, I get it. Dealing with bad bugs and not be prepared is the WORST. Since you can’t control the bugs and you can’t even fully predict when they will be bad, I recommend...
Top 3 Outdoor Activities in Seattle
This article will talk about Outdoor Activities IN Seattle. Not near Seattle, not day trips from Seattle, actual outdoor activities right in the middle of the city! Seattle is uniquely positioned to provide lots of outdoor activities without leaving the city, with our inland waterways, beaches and forests open...
Annette Lake: moderate summer day hike near Seattle
In the summer, the Annette Lake hike is a great place to enjoy a picnic, take a swim if you can brave the chilly water and to camp if you want to stay longer. In winter, the parking area becomes the Annette Lake Sno Park. Both summer and winter...
Where can I Rent Kayaks in Seattle?
During summertime in Seattle, who doesn’t want to get out on the water? But how to do it? Most people don’t own boats, and taking boat trips can be expensive. Sometimes you just want to play around in the water! Luckily, there are some places you can go and...
How to Start Hiking for Absolute Beginners
Hiking is a wonderful way to get outside and move your body, both of which are great things and summer in the Pacific Northwest is a great time to start. What is hiking? Hiking is just walking on a trail instead of a road or sidewalk. That’s it! If...
Mt Fremont Hike: Big Views of Mt Rainier
Looking for a big view of Mt Rainier with views from the whole trail? The Mt Fremont hike is a fantastic choice when the road to Sunrise is open (late June through September)! This hike has views from every step and at 6 miles round trip and 800 feet...