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Des Moines, Washington

Looking for the best hiking in Des Moines? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Des Moines. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Des Moines

  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Hike Mount Catherine

    5.0
    3 mi / 1300 ft gain
    Start off on the extremely rough Forest Service 9070 road. Follow this for just over 4 miles until you see a sign for trail #1348 on the right. There is only enough room for a couple cars at the trailhead.You start off climbing right away, covering 800 feet of elevation in the first 0.80 miles of...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Franklin Falls via Wagon Road Trail

    4.4
    2.07 mi / 331 ft gain
    This is an easy 2 mile roundtrip hike that leads to beautiful Franklin Falls. The trail is very well maintained and is easy for even young hikers to travel. The trail goes through the forest and along a gorge as you gain 400 feet in elevation to the falls. There are a few places you can scramble...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Goldmyer Hot Springs

    4.1
    10.48 mi / 817 ft gain
    Goldmyer Hot Springs is a beautiful little gem nestled within the wilderness of the stunning Cascade Mountains. This hot springs complex is situated on the old remains of a mining town, and delivers steadily flowing water to a set of tiered pools along the mountainside. The “cave” pool at the top...
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  • Enumclaw, Washington

    Snowshoe to Sun Top Peak

    12 mi / 2000 ft gain
    From Tacoma, Wa. take Hwy 167 to Hwy 410 and follow that until you get to the Chinook Pass Hwy. Then from there follow this road and take the second Service Road on the right and follow this road until it dead ends. The trail starts on NF-7315. You have to walk this road until you reach the first...
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  • Hoodsport, Washington

    Upper Big Creek Loop Trail

    4.76 mi / 1142 ft gain
    Upper Big Creek Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Lilliwaup, Washington.
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  • Gold Bar, Washington

    Scramble up Mt. Persis

    4 mi / 2658 ft gain
    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...
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  • Hoodsport, Washington

    Climb Mt. Washington

    3.5
    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...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Gem Lake and Wright Mountain

    4.7
    10.62 mi / 3107 ft gain
    The trail to Gem Lake lies along the same trail that passes by the incredibly popular Snow Lake. While the masses typically stop the first place they can along the shores of Snow Lake, fewer make the short trek from there up to Gem Lake. Park at the giant lots at the end of the road to Alpental (...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Winter Camping at Snow Lake

    7.2 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Starting at the Snow Lake Trail Head you climb up the boot pack or ski track of those before you (hopefully) from ~3120 ft. to ~4400 ft. at the ridge line where Snow Lake becomes visible. If there are no tracks, follow the South Fork Snoqualmie River NE and aim just east of the lowest point of t...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Gem Lake, WA

    4.7
    10.4 mi / 2923 ft gain
    This hike shares the trailhead for Snow lake at the Alpental Ski area in Snoqualmie Pass. You'll start out with a great warm up, walking through dense green underbrush and a brief wooded area. Before too long the trail increases in inclination slightly and begins to offer up some small rocky sect...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Snoqualmie Mountain

    4.3
    2.87 mi / 3054 ft gain
    For this hike, you park at the same parking lot as the Snow Lake hike. The trailhead to Snoqualmie Mountain is an unmarked trail just 30 feet or so before the Snow Lake trail. This is a tough hike even though its only a ~4 mile out and back trip because you gain 3100 feet to reach the summit. Th...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Hike to Kendall Katwalk via the PCT

    5.0
    11 mi / 2700 ft gain
    Starting near Snoqualmie Pass, hike the historic Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) through old-growth forests and boulder fields to the "Kendall Katwalk," a high ledge of rock carved out of a mountain side many years ago using dynamite.The hike to the Katwalk gradually gains elevation using switchbacks w...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Snow Lake

    4.0
    6.24 mi / 1699 ft gain
    This hike gets crowded fairly quickly so get there early. The parking lot is very large so parking is not really a problem.  There are bathrooms at the very beginning of the trail so I highly suggest using them. However at the top there is also a designated restroom area. Starting at 2600 ft, thi...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Lodge Lake via PCT

    3.5
    3.79 mi / 932 ft gain
    As you begin your hike up to Lodge Lake you will pass through a small forest. After about .5 miles you will come out into the open. Simply follow the path under the chairlifts as you cut across the mountain. In the summer when there is no snow on the ground you can see lots of wildflowers. If you...
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  • Enumclaw, Washington

    Catch the Sunset at Suntop Lookout

    5.0
    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...
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  • Enumclaw, Washington

    Hike Grand Park and Lake Eleanor

    9 mi / 1100 ft gain
    Prepare in advance to hold your jaw from dropping. Stunning views of Mt. Rainier await visitors of Grand Park. A quick jaunt through the forest via the trailhead leads first to Lake Eleanor. Well groomed campsites are available for overnight stays.Head past Lake Eleanor and you're on the way to G...
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