Gold Bar, Washington

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...

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...

Getting Here: Heading North on I5 from Seattle Center, take exit 178 for 236th Street SW and Lakeveiw Dr. Take a left on Lakeview Dr. and follow along for a half a mile before you see the Lake Ballinger Boat Ramp parking area on the left. There is a community park and rental facility on the noir ...

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...

The Washington Park Arboretum is the perfect place to swing through if you're looking for a short and gentle trail run without leaving the city. This expansive park includes the UW Botanic Gardens, Japanese Gardens, entire length of the Arboretum Creek - all landmarks you'll pass on this trail. ...

Everyone knows Gasworks Park for its awesome views of downtown Seattle. A great spot during anytime of the year, the park is even beautiful at night, when you can see reflections of the city lights in Lake Union. Make sure you bring a tripod to capture some awesome long exposure images!During the...

My family and I were in Seattle for a wedding and I believe my mom across this gem being advertised in either a newspaper or a magazine. We had a great time and it was an affordable way to get onto the water and something everyone of all ages could do. I love checking out houseboats, being on the...

Enjoy a wonderful view of the Seattle skyline from Dr. Jose Rizal park. Parking is easy and accessible, and the park has lots of benches for sitting and taking in the view. Walk around the park for different views of the city or take in the surrounding neighborhood, you'll most likely catch a lot...

Although weekend sails are available, this is one of the best ways to get a mid-week fresh air fix in Seattle.Start with a 1.5 hour sunset sail reservation with Emerald City Charters ( approx. $33 per adult). The day of your sail, pack a bag with blankets, drinks and picnic-style dinner. Catch th...

Located at the top of Queen Anne Hill, Kerry Park is a favorite destination for photography. On any given day you'll find tourists and locals relaxing in the park and enjoying the beautiful view.The park is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood so there is free parking along the streets. If yo...

There are 2 ways to get to Blake Island: private boat or via the Argosy Cruises tour boat (or if you're ambitious, I guess you can swim there!). If traveling by private boat, there is a marina with limited dock space as well as buoy moorings around the island for a moorage fee. Blake Island is ...

Golden Gardens Park is a beautiful, sandy gem that’s perfect for spending a sunny summer day lounging on the beach, exploring the shore, stand up paddling, or even playing beach volleyball. This park also features some of my favorite views in Seattle. As day turns to night, enjoy a beautiful suns...

The quintessential family friendly hike,  Gold Creek Pond is a simple yet spectacular hike next to Snoqualmie Pass. Easily accessible from the top of the pass (4.5 miles, 12 minute drive), the Gold Creek Pond hike is a simple addition to any itinerary if you're in the area. From Hwy 90, take exit...

This is a great side trip from Backpacking to Marmot & Jade Lakes. Check out the Adventure linked above for directions on how to get as far as Jade Lake.  I would recommend 2 nights at either Marmot or Jade to allow for a full day of exploration from your camp.  From Jade what is described be...

Start at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead and start to head up the long switchbacks. After running into the Trail Creek trail, keep right heading towards Cathedral Rock and Squaw Lake. There are a couple nice spots around Squaw Lake, about 2.5 miles in, to stop and have a snack. Now head around the l...