Bainbridge Island, Washington

Follow the driving directions, pass the upper Mt Eleanor parking area and continue until the road dead-ends due to a landslide. Try to leave room for cars to turn around when you park.Follow the trail which starts just near the lake boulder near the parking area. The trail through the lower slope...

The trail up to Lake of the Angels, known as the Putvin Trail, starts out pretty mellow with a gradual uphill climb. Your first marker will be an old roadbed at around 1.4 miles, but you'll need to cross two ravines before making it there. It's thick forest with gorgeous views in the clearings, s...

If you're looking for a long day hike or multi-night backpacking trip in the Olympics, add Royal Lake and Royal Basin to your adventure list!   The first mile of trail along the Dungeness River gains a gentle 300 feet.  When you reach the bridge, do not cross it (the trail across the bridge goes...

You can stat this adventure at one of two trailheads. I suggest using the lower of the two. The start of the trail ascends through a forest of old growth pines with periodic views of Mt Washington. Eventually, at a fork in the trail, you will see a sign marking the start of the winter route. You ...

The Franklin Ghost Town trailhead is just a large muddy lot, surrounded by no trespassing signs. When you pull in you will see signs for a $5 day use fee, just fill out the form and drop it in the box. There are two trails that leave the lot, one heads down to the river and is probably a mile rou...

Visited here in August and the water was possibly the coldest I've ever swam in. A great half-day trip as the hikes are easy and the spots are quick to get to. The falls are located just to side of the road with a couple of different places to park. There's a $5 or $10 entrance/parking fee. A gre...

Hikers who reach the summit of Mount Ellinor are treated to a rarer view of Olympic National Park, one that is notably more immersive, rugged and dynamic than the common vista from Hurricane Ridge. Ellinor’s profile is, no doubt, familiar to most Seattleites, as it’s the Olympics’ southernmost p...

The Green River Gorge is one of the best whitewater options within an hour of the Seattle area. This beautiful scenic rocky gorge offers 14 miles of class III-IV whitewater and lots of great play spots for rafters and kayakers. This section of river is often boated in the late fall, winter, and s...

This trail offers amazing views of Mt. Baker, Vancouver Island, the San Juan Islands, and the Cascade Mountains. The Point Wilson trail is located in Fort Worden State Park on the Olympic Peninsula, along the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The trail is 2.5 miles round trip, and is accessible regardless ...

The trail to Rattlesnake Ledge is one of the busiest in Washington. Usually, a Saturday or Sunday is a no go for a lot of avid hikers due to the crowds. Adding a little snow and cold diminishes the crowds nicely. While it is no secret, this hike is popular for a reason. The 2 miles it takes t...

Being only a 10 minute drive off the 90, this Lake is often overlooked by the popular Rattlesnake Ledge hike right above. Take exit 32 from the 90E onto 436th SE Ave and continue onto Cedar Falls Rd SE and continue for about 3 miles. At this point, a parking lot will be on your right that is both...

A short, relatively easy, hike up a forested butte near Rattlesnake Lake. 1.75 miles up with 900 feet of elevation gain, reaching a summit with views toward the north, from Mount Si to Mailbox Peak, and several other peaks in between. Despite such a nice payoff with an easy to get to trailhead, t...

Some days you don't need to tackle a grueling summit or long mileage loop, just getting outside the city is enough. Driving forest roads is always an adventure and pays its dividend in seclusion, viewpoints, and peacefulness. The Middle Fork Snoqualmie (FR56) offers a photo enthusiast numerous pi...

The lesser known Mt Si Rd trail starts off as a relatively flat road. This continues for two miles until you reach the Teneriffe Falls sign. Upon turning right at this junction, the terrain takes a shift and the incline steepens. This is where most of the elevation is gained. The rest of the way...

Located about 20 minutes outside of Shelton, Washington on US Forest Service Road NF-2340.  To get there, head North on Highway 101 and exit onto W Skokomish Valley Rd. about 12 miles (or 20 minutes) after passing Shelton.   W Skokomish Valley Road will take you through a beautiful area of farml...

For a portion of this 3-mile hike, you'll trek next to the South Fork Snoqualmie River, so take in the peaceful sound of the river running. Along the trail runs a river, where massive boulders create wading pools of icy water for warm summer days. At 1.5 miles, you'll reach a viewpoint bridge, wh...