Connor Smith

At the north end of the Wenatchee Valley, drive up Burch Mountain Road until it turns into dirt. It is closed in the winter and early spring due to snow, so make sure it's open before you go. Once you start driving, the mountain is your playground. Go all the way up to the trees or stop just high enough to get a view of the valley. In the spring, the hills are covered with wildflowers. If ...

Start at the north end of Ozette Lake and proceed right, following signs to the mostly flat trail leading to Cape Alava. Be sure not to head left towards Sand Point, that is the trail you will use for your return trip. Once you’ve reached the coast, scan the sky for the frequently seen bald eagle soaring above or scour the ocean for the elusive sea otter or a passing whale. Set up camp at Cape ...

Starting from the south end of Wenatchee, hike straight up the obvious wide trail to the south side of Saddle Rock. You'll wind around the iconic rock feature and approach it from the back. A short and steep hike will reward you with wide open views of the Wenatchee Valley as you crest the hill in the middle of the saddle. This is a very short and steep hike, a good option if time is limited...

If you're in Joshua Tree, this is a great spot for sunset. A short, maybe 1/2 mile hike to the old ranch from the parking lot. We stayed at Ryan Campground and just walked in from there, about the same distance. Make sure to bring your camera, especially if there are spotty clouds in the sky as the sun will light the clouds on fire about 10 minutes after it goes down.