Otter Falls and Lipsy Lake Hike
Otter Falls is one of the most beautiful and unique waterfalls I’ve ever seen and one of the best hikes near North Bend. It’s a long 10 mile hike to get there on a wide and mostly flat trail (700 feet of elevation gain) through a beautiful forest along...
Spray Park Hike in Mt Rainier National Park
As of Spring 2025, a bridge washout has caused an indefinite closure to the Carbon River Entrance of Mt Rainier National Park, including Carbon River Trails and Mowich Lake Trails. If the road reopens, I will update this article. Wildflowers? Mountain views? A dazzling waterfall? YES. This is Spray...
5 Best Olympic National Park Waterfalls
There are so many things to love about Olympic National Park and the Olympic Peninsula. There are impossibly green ancient forests, gorgeous lakes, rugged open beaches, high alpine meadows, towering mountains and waterfalls! The Olympic National Park waterfalls are stunning and many are a short hike so on your...
Teneriffe Falls: Gorgeous Waterfall near Seattle
Teneriffe Falls in one of my favorite waterfall hikes near Seattle and one of my favorite waterfall hikes near Seattle. It’s also less crowded than many hikes near North Bend even though it’s just a couple miles from the Mt Si trailhead. This trail connects to the Mt Si...
Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall Hike in Olympic National Park
Rialto Beach is one of the spectacular beaches in Olympic National Park and one of the best for tidepooling! On this hike the beach is the trail, the whole 4 miles! This is a flat hike two miles to Hole-in-the-Wall and two miles back. Most trails in Olympic National...
Summer Day Trip to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park
Hurricane Ridge is one of the most beautiful places in Olympic National Park and an incredible place for a mellow hike with incredible views! This is a very doable day trip from Seattle, although if you have more time check out my three day Olympic National Park road trip...
Margaret’s Way Trail: Best Forest Hike near Seattle
The Margaret’s Way Trail is a gorgeous out and back trail close to Seattle that is my favorite forest hike close to town! This one even comes with a view at the very end of Mt Rainier! At 7 miles round trip and 1500 feet of elevation gain, it’s...
How to Find Less Crowded Hikes near Seattle
As hiking has become more popular in the Pacific Northwest and the population has grown quickly, many hikers have noticed and been frustrated by big crowds at popular trailheads. If you’re like me, crowding, traffic and parking are daily realities in city life and you want to get away...
The 15 Best Washington Beaches
Washington Beaches are nearly as diverse as the diverse landscapes of the state overall. Many people (correctly!) associate Washington with rainy gray weather, but those can make for great beach days, Washington style! If you’re looking for a strip of sand to stretch out your beach towel and read,...
Wilderness Peak Loop Trail – Forest Workout Close to Town
The Wilderness Peak Loop trail is a perfect half day hike if you’re looking for something close to Seattle or Bellevue where you’ll have some challenge with no parking pass required! At just under 4 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain, this hike is definitely steep in places....