April in Mt Rainier National Park
April is a wonderful time to travel in the Pacific Northwest. Longer and warmer days get locals and visitors alike excited to get outdoors. April comes at an awkward time to visit Mt Rainier National Park but you can still have an amazing visit as long as you have...
How to Visit the Hoh Rainforest
People travel from all over the world to visit the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park with good reason! In this post I’ll share how to get there, when to go, where to stay, what to do while you’re there and what to pack for your Hoh rainforest adventure....
The Best Hike on San Juan Island: Mt Finlayson
Hiking is often not the first thing people think of when they think of the water oriented San Juan Islands, but there are some great hikes! Mt Finlayson (it’s much more mellow than it sounds) is one of my favorite hikes in the whole state. It’s worth the effort...
Four Best Seattle Views Besides the Space Needle
Don’t get me wrong, I do love the Space Needle (it’s in my wedding photos!), and it’s iconic and has a great view. It’s also expensive and crowded and I think there are other places with better, or just as good views. As a born and raised Seatteite I’d...
Snowshoe Mt Rainier National Park: Winter and Spring Adventure Guide
November 2022 note: Mt Rainier National Park has announced that the road to Paradise will only be open on Saturdays and Sundays during the 2022-23 winter season and the sledding hill will not be open on any days. Why Snowshoe Mt Rainier National Park? If you’re weary of the...
Vashon Island Hiking With or Without a Car
Vashon Island is a wonderful, close to home (still in King County!) destination for a weekend or a day trip from the Seattle area any time of year. Vashon Island hiking is one of the best ways to spend a day on Vashon. The trails are beautiful, well maintained,...
Complete Guide to Climbing Mt St Helens
Climbing Mt St Helens is without question one of my top experiences ever! Despite the vast numbers of photos I’ve taken, they really don’t capture the experience (though they do help me remember that experience!). The feeling of climbing a volcanic landscape and then sitting at the mouth of...
Lake Easton Sno Park Snowshoeing and Skiing
Lake Easton Sno Park is my favorite all around place for cross country skiing on the I-90 corridor close to Seattle. Some of the other sno parks are closer to Seattle, or have more challenges but Lake Easton is my favorite. Cabin Creek is wonderful for practicing hills and...
How to Visit Yellowstone in Winter: Ultimate Guide to the Park’s Best Season
Imagine visiting Yellowstone National Park, walking boardwalks through a geyser basin and seeing no one else. Imagine the solitude and beauty of a lone wolf spotted against the snow, or a herd of bison or elk meandering along the road. You see the heat and steam rising up from...
Snowshoe Pacific Crest Trail North from Snoqualmie Pass
If you’re looking for a close to Seattle, no trail pass needed, relatively safe from avalanches winter snowshoe, snowshoe Pacific Crest Trail north from Snoqualmie Pass! This trail is also known as the longer outing to Commonwealth Basin though I have never gone beyond the first couple miles. I...