Carbonado, Washington

The upper Foothills Trail from the Fairfax Bridge to Manley Moore can be hiked starting from either end as an "out and back" hike or a "point to point" by shuttling with two vehicles.  Starting from the upper end of the trail you begin by walking under the Kolisch Rd. Bridge, which has the Manley...

Summit Lake, nestled in a small basin just north of Mt. Rainier National Park in the Clearwater Wilderness, has everything a hiker could want in a day-hike or easy overnight backpack. The views, the well-maintained trail, and a perfect distance make this hike a must-do for anybody in the Pacific ...

When heading to the adventure, stopped at the ranger station in Carbon to get your day pass ($5.00) and then continue on to the trailhead. Park on the road next to the Carbon river around. Start the hike down an old paved road that eventually leads through some trails and then to a gravel road. T...

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...

If you have been trying to get behind a waterfall Eatonville Falls is the place to hike and get a great feeling out of it. Hiking to the waterfall would lead you to a railroad and pass it would lead to a river where you would follow it down to get to the waterfall. The hike itself is pretty sim...

Catching a beautiful sunset has never been so easy. This lookout tower is accessible by vehicle. The road is fairly smooth too. No car would have any trouble getting up to the top.  The last gate before the lookout tower/peak is about a mile down. The gate does close at 8pm but is ran by voluntee...

Make the 3.2 - 4.5 mile hike up groomed trails to the Mt Tahoma High Hut (4750 feet) for the perfect winter getaway. Spend the day outside sledding, skiing, snowshoeing and playing in the snow with a spectacular view of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens. Afterwards go inside and en...

Getting There From Seattle: Head East on I90 to 405 South, Take the exit for 169 heading towards Enumclaw. I recommend stopping for a bite at the down home, family restaurant called Kitchen in downtown. The food was great with lots of local flavors! Continue on 169 where you will jump on Highway ...

It's always a good idea to check the weather, but when it comes to getting a peak at Mt. Rainier you might be better off just showing up and hoping for a miracle. To do this from Seattle, you'll have a 2 hour 20 minute drive down I-5 and WA-167. After a couple turns here and there (you can follow...

Reflection Lakes is located approximately 1 mile east of Inspiration Point just off Steven Canyons Road in the Paradise section of Mount Rainier National Park.  Simply park in one of the pullouts at the lakes and enjoy the scenery.  Reflection Lakes can also be accessed via the Wonderland Trail.T...

Following along the Greenwater River, family friendly Greenwater lakes Trail #1176 which has minimal elevation gain, winds through a lush green mossy old growth forest.  Along the trail you will cross over several log bridges and pass a couple of beautiful waterfalls.  At just under two miles int...

After a rough drive to the trailhead you’ll have little time to catch your breath as the trail laces up the mountain side, but with Rainier to distract you, it won’t be long until you’re at the top with a view that is more than enough reward for your efforts. Pay very close attention to the drivi...

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...

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...

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...

You can reach this area off I-90.  Take exit 38.  If you are coming from the west (Seattle) take a right after exiting the highway and continue for about 2 miles.  You will drive under I-90 and then come to a parking area.  This is it!  If you are coming from the east it's even easier, turn right...