Bellevue, Washington

RATTLESNAKE LEDGE TRAIL:The hike to Rattlesnake Ledge begins at the trailhead next to the parking lot at Rattlesnake Lake. From here, you can look up and see the Ledge and rock face that you'll be hiking up toward. The trail begins covered under the forest, which can protect from the elements (su...

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...

Mount Si is probably one of the most well trekked hikes around the Seattle area, but one that any hiker-new to the game or an old pro-should experience as least once. I usually use it as a starter hike to kick start the season and highly recommend you get an early start on this one as the further...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Point Defiance Park is the largest urban park in Pierce County and it provides a variety of amenities. Located at the very northwest tip of Tacoma, the park provides residents with a much needed retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Point Defiance Park is the place to go if you need a quick d...

*Disclaimer this article is in regards to the newly built trail.* For the old trail, head to Hike Mailbox Peak.  Just off of exit 34, Mailbox Peak offers a birds-eye view of the surrounding area. This hike begins at a mere 800 ft. above sea level and by the time you are done you are nearly touch...

Note this adventure covers the old route. For the updated route, check out Hike Mailbox Peak New Trail. Take exit 34 from I-90. Head north on 468th Ave SE until the intersection with the SE Middle Fork Road. Turn right onto the Middle Fork Road. Follow SE Middle Fork Road 2.2 miles to the stop ...

You start out at an elevation of about 1200 feet and you gradually make your way up to the top at 4450 feet. You are hiking through forest land the whole time with peaks of a beautiful view to the north every so often. Along the way there are many rock walls which you can climb at, however on our...

There isn’t a clearly designated trail to start this scramble/hike. Look for the trail that more resembles a boot path. The trail won’t be well marked, but there might be some orange tape or markers to help you find your way.During the first mile of the hike, you’ll see the most elevation gain, s...

The Gold Creek Trail is one of several trails in the Green Mountain region. Although the trail is intertwined with others, it is almost impossible to start down the wrong path. The trail is well-marked and well-maintained, making this an excellent option for the family.  The trail begins at the e...

This one can be a bit tricky to find. The trailhead is unmarked and is a bit hidden around a curve of Middle Fork Road so it is easy to miss. At about 9.80 miles from the junction of 468th St. and Middle Fork Road, look for two signs on the right warning of upcoming gravel patches (probably will ...

The trailhead is located at the far end of the parking lot, next to the info kiosk and bathrooms. It starts out in a wide-open area that shortly leads to stunning views of Mt. Index and Baring Mountain. The trail turns to the left and you're greeted by a beautiful Wordsworth quote carved into a t...