Category: Washington

Even though it’s a long drive from Seattle, Olympic Coast backpacking at Second Beach in Olympic National Park is an excellent first backpacking trip for beginners as well as a fun and relaxing trip for those with more experience. The best way to experience one of the best beaches...

A weekend in Port Angeles is a change of pace and scenery from Seattle and approachable at an hour and a half drive plus a ferry ride. Port Angeles is the biggest gateway community for Olympic National Park and a hub of economic activity on the Olympic Peninsula. This...

You likely know, dear reader, that I believe it getting outside as much as possible! Ordinary Adventures is all about keeping it low key so that you can get out more! Previously I’ve talked about how to start hiking as well as how to hike more often. One way...

Don’t let the rain keep you away from Olympic National Park! This is a place world famous for it’s rain, it’s lush green forests, rushing waterfalls and remote beaches! Olympic National Park also has hikes with sweeping mountain views, but those are not as good for rainy days. In...

I have no idea why this is called Rattlesnake Mountain. We don’t have rattlesnakes in this part of the state and there’s nothing whatsoever that makes me think of a Rattlesnake here. But, that’s the name of this well known area in North Bend! Described below is a trail...

The Cherry Creek Falls hike is a beautiful half day hike and one of the best waterfall hikes near Seattle. At 5 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain, it’s a good workout but not extremely steep. There is a lot of mud on this trail and some potentially...

Despite a lifetime of hiking in Washington, I’ve often not had this trail on my radar, except as a bike ride through the Snoqualmie tunnel further up the trail or access point for other hikes like Twin Falls or Cedar Butte. It’s great for those purposes, but this section...

At 3 miles round trip and with about 500 feet of elevation gain, the Twin Falls hike is a good half day hike option close to Seattle with a stunning waterfall you get to see from a distance as well as up close. This is one of the best...

Snowshoeing is an excellent way to enjoy getting outside all winter and a fun progression for anyone who enjoys hiking or walking outdoors. It is also a way to enjoy the outdoors in the winter that requires minimal gear and no specialized skills (unlike skiing!). Snowshoeing is taking one...

“Go ahead, eat one!” Jessika, part time cranberry farmer, full time nonprofit leader, encouraged me to pop a ripe cranberry in my mouth. Just eating a plain cranberry off a vine in a Washington cranberry bog is something I never considered before. Until recently, my knowledge of cranberries barely...