Burlington, Washington

Approximately 11 miles east of Granite Falls, WA, on the Mt. Loop Highway,  turn onto Forest Service road 41 and follow this road for 18.0 miles to the trailhead. The road is quite rough and it is recommended you have a four-wheel drive vehicle. There is a washout about halfway along the road, an...

The easiest way to explore this area is through Outer Island Excursions, which offers a 3-hour kayaking tour from Smuggler’s Villa Resort on Orcas Island (they also offer various tours of the surrounding islands).The tour begins with a paddle down the North Shore of Orcas Island to Point Doughty ...

It may be daunting to figure out how to kayak in the San Juan Islands.If you're a beginner/intermediate kayaker, this is the trip for you.First, you'll want to plan ahead and reserve a kayak for Sucia Island. We used Outer Island Expeditions which was nice because they make it pretty easy for you...

Even from the Trailhead, the views overlooking the Skagit River valley, all the way out toward Mount Vernon, are outstanding. The trail follows 20 tight switchbacks as it makes it's way 600 feet up to the southern crest of the summit ridge. This is a steep slope and it's possible to look straight...

NOTE: The trail is currently closed about 1 mile in due to landslides.  This trail starts right off the Mountain Loop Highway outside of Granite Falls. Look out for a brick sign with the trail name, as it's easy to miss otherwise. There's parking next to the highway, but since there is a history...

Just over 2 hours northeast of Seattle, Baker Lake is an often overlooked gem of the North Cascades. With 8+ miles of turquoise green water to explore, Baker Lake makes for a great day trip or overnight trip, with plenty of backcountry boat-in campsites and sandy beaches along the shore. You can...

The Trail From the parking area proceed back towards the road and hang a right up an abandoned road bed.  The trail follows this road bed for a about 0.2 miles before the real trail becomes evident.  The first 0.5 - 1.0 miles of this trail can be difficult.  Deadfall, wet, steep, and root covere...

Turn left off of the Grandy-Baker Lake Road onto FS RD 1130 just past the Boulder Creek Campground. Stay right at the first fork in the road. At 3.9 miles go right towards Rainbow Falls.  The falls are located at a large bend in the road at approximately 4.5 miles.  I have never found a good safe...

Have you ever dreamed of snow skiing and water skiing in the same day? This March, plan your adventure of a lifetime to Stevens Pass and Lake Stevens, Washington. You will need a winter coat, a wet suit, and a heart made of love for the outdoors.Keep an eye on mountain and lake weather conditions...

Located just outside the town of Glacier, WA and 40 minutes prior to Mount Baker Ski area, sits the Horseshoe Bend Trail. A simple and straightforward 6 mile out and back route. To get here, take Hwy 542 towards the direction of Mount Baker. About 4 miles after you pass through the town of Glaci...

NOTE: Please check to see if the trailhead is reachable after a road closure in August 2024 (source: USFS).  Take in amazing views of Mt. Baker, the North Cascades, Mt. Shuksan, and the Puget Sound. This trail is great for a dayhike or an overnighter. Enjoy the picture perfect setting for hikes ...

The drive up to the starting point of the trail to Anderson and Watson Lake was easy, but at the end it gets a little tricky - the service road is sharp gravel and runs for about 10 miles to the trailhead. Some spots are steep and there are large potholes, but slow and steady wins the race. There...

Terrell Marsh Trail is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Blaine, Washington.

Sholes Creek Falls is not easy to reach, but it is entirely worth the journey. The creek plunges over a two-tiered drop in stages of 62 and 103 feet into a massive amphitheater, which flows into Bar Creek. The waterfall is framed by massive columns of volcanic rock that dwarf the falls, in compar...

Hike the well-maintained Mount Pilchuck Lookout trail through a variety of terrain: old-growth forest and granite boulder fields. At the top, you'll reach a lookout tower perched on Mount Pilchuck. Pilchuck sits on the western edge of the Cascades, which offers up amazing panoramic views once you...

Mount Grant Preserve is still in the midst of becoming an official park, but is open to the public for hiking, so you will get to see this amazing spot before it's too crowded. With a trial system currently being made, most people hike up the established road, but there are well marked signs to h...