How to hike the Colchuck Lake Trail
Colchuck Lake is one of the most stunning alpine lakes in Washington State. The lake itself is impossibly turquoise blue, with smoothed granite rocks, forest, high jagged peaks and glaciers surrounding it. At 8.5 miles round trip with 2300 feet of elevation gain, this hike is challenging but the...
Lime Kiln Trail hike in Granite Falls
The Lime Kiln Trail is a unique Washington treasure in the forest of the Cascade Mountain Foothills. A forest walk on an old railroad grade, this trail is mostly a mellow hike without a lot of climbing to an interesting historic structure. The Lime Kiln itself is a stone...
Wenatchee Crest Snowshoe and Blewett Pass
On the sunnier and drier side of the Cascade Mountains is Blewett Pass, with gorgeous views and more than 50 miles of marked trails to explore on snowshoes or skis! This area is popular with snowmobilers too, but there’s plenty of room for everyone and plenty of non motorized...
Lake Valhalla Hike at Stevens Pass
Lake Valhalla is a gorgeous alpine lake along the Pacific Crest Trail just north of Steven Pass. A perfect, cold lake for swimming, stunning mountain views and a beautiful forest make this hike unforgettable and one of the best in Washington State. Lake Valhalla has a perfect beach for...
Perfect Mt St Helens day trip from Seattle or Portland
Are you a volcano lover? Nature lover? If so then you absolutely must do a Mt St Helens day trip if you are anywhere near Seattle or Portland. On May 18, 1980, Loowit (Mt St Helens) erupted with incredible force, enough to incinerate miles of forest, unleash an epic...
13 Fantastic Things to do on Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is one of the most beautiful and interesting places in Washington State. It has stunning beaches, epic mountain and ocean views, old growth trees, rich farmland, interesting history and plenty of outdoor adventure. There are farms, wineries, hiking trails and a network of mountain biking trails. This...
Seattle in Winter – 17 ways to have fun like a local
Planning a winter visit to Seattle? Newcomer to Seattle getting ready for your first winter? If so, you’re in the right place! This article is all about how to thrive and not just survive Seattle in winter. You might have heard that Seattle is dark and gray in the...
Complete Guide to Remote Fields Spring State Park in Southeast Washington
Fields Spring State Park is a largely unknown gem tucked in the Blue Mountains in the far Southeast corner of Washington State. It’s a remote, sunny area with amazing year round recreation, both in the park and in the surrounding national forest. Just a few miles from both Oregon...
The Best Squak Mountain Hiking Routes
Squak Mountain hiking is a wonderful way to experience gorgeous forested trails near Seattle without the big crowds that many of the other nearby trails have. It’s also a perfect year round destination. It’s shady on hot summer days and shows off beautiful lush green forest on rainy days....
Hiking the Boulder Garden Loop on Mt Si
Mt Si and its smaller neighbor, Little Si are super busy and crowded. Despite the popularity of these trails, it is possible to find trails in this trail system that are not as crowded! Many people don’t realize that there are several trails that connect to the Mt Si...