Blue Lake Larch Hike in the North Cascades
Looking for one of the shorter trails to get to the gorgeous fall larches in the North Cascades? If you’ve already done Cutthroat Lake, or you just want a little more climbing then it’s time for the Blue Lake Larch hike! This hike pairs well with a day or weekend...
Mt Rainier wildflower hikes with less crowds
The best time to see alpine wildflowers in Mt Rainier National Park is generally late July and early August, a short but spectacular season! Mt Rainier wildflower hikes are the best way to immerse yourself in this fleeting beauty. Mt Rainier’s wildflowers are famous around the world and the park...
Tips for Puget Sound Dungeness Crab fishing
It’s crab season in Puget Sound! Crab fishing is fun and in my opinion easier that many other kinds of fishing. There are many great places to get crab in Pike Place Market, many local seafood markets such as Mutual Fish, and most bigger grocery stores. If you’re not...
Don’t Hike Mt Si! Do these hikes instead
Summer hiking season is just around the corner (still quite a bit of snow in the high country for another month or so). As Washington’s most popular trail, Mt Si seems an obvious choice. I need to offer the following disclaimer: I have hiked Mt Si many times, with...
Mt St Helens Weekend (North side)
Looking for a fantastic short getaway full of outdoor adventure and volcano education? Make it a Mt St Helens weekend! A great and affordable basecamp for a weekend exploring the north side of Mt St Helens National Monument (the side where the most destruction is visible from the 1980...
Where to find a Tidepool near Seattle
As long as I can remember, I have loved tidepools! When I was growing up, my grandparents lived by a beach on the Kitsap penninsula that had fantastic tidepools. We planned our days around the low tide since everyone knows that the best time to go to the beach....
How to Visit Mowich Lake at Mt Rainer (Winter and Summer)
Mowich Lake in Mt Rainier National Park is a wonderful remote part of the park with far less people than the more popular areas of the park. The long unpaved, potholed road and lack of services or a cell phone signal deters some visitors, but not you! Read on...
Methow Valley Affordable cross country skiing
Cross country or nordic skiing is a great way to get out in the snow and avoid the expense, traffic and waiting in line of downhill skiing while moving a lot faster than snowshoeing (usually). The Methow Valley in north central Washington is a wonderful nordic skiing destination with...
Best November hikes near Seattle
Just because it’s late fall or winter doesn’t mean you can’t go hiking! Sure, it’s rainy quite often, but not everyday! November hikes near Seattle are pretty great with many local hikes that can be enjoyed in the wet months too. A great way to our gray winters in...
Fall Backpacking at Lake Stuart
This post was originally written in 2016, updated August 2020 Fall Backpacking is my favorite…beautiful colors, amazing dark skies, less crowds and no bugs! As long you have the gear to stay warm and pay attention to the weather forecast it’s the best backpacking there is. Lake Stuart is...