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...
Snowshoeing in Mt Rainier National Park
November 2024 note: Mt Rainier National Park has announced that the road to Paradise will open Fridays through Mondays and will not be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the 2024-25 winter season. Need to get out more? Get hikes, day trips and other outdoorsy ideas in Washington all...
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...
Snowshoe Pacific Crest Trail North from Snoqualmie Pass
November 2024 note – the Summit at Snoqualmie has announced that in the winter of 2024-25 free parking is no longer available at the ski area. See their website for parking fees. If you’re looking for a close to Seattle, no trail pass needed, relatively safe from avalanches winter...
Top 5 Urban Hikes in Seattle
We are surrounded by many amazing fall and winter hikes in Seattle, but we have some wonderful walks in Seattle too! These are perfect for rainy days, short winter days, long summer evenings, snowstorms and when you just don’t want to have to do too much planning. These walks...
Rattlesnake Ledge Sunrise Hike
I love sunrise. It is rough to wake up crazy early but there’s something about being up and out before the world wakes up that I truly love. I also love the promise of a new day, and the darkness that slowly gets lighter until you don’t need your...
South Seattle Urban Hike: Kubota Gardens/Lakeridge
Seattle is blessed with an abundance of beautiful urban hikes. There’s no need to leave the city to find natural beauty, miles of trails and to get some deep breaths in nature. This post will cover an often overlooked and wonderful South Seattle urban hike in the Rainier Beach...