Kirkland, Washington

Although this hike is possible if you’re looking for an all-day training hike, it’s much more enjoyable if it’s an overnight backpacking trip. Head up the trail past Snow Lake toward Gem Lake. En route to Snow Lake will be a little crowded, but should lighten significantly as you continue hiking...

This hike has it all: old-growth forests, rivers, waterfalls, alpine lakes, views, peaks, and so on. The hike starts from near Denny Creek Campground in between the separate I-90 viaducts. Almost immediately, you will cross over a walk bridge over Denny Creek's waterfalls, and then eventually und...

Initial note: because this is an alpine scramble, do your research before tackling this adventure, including learning the correct route and the current conditions (such as any early- or late-season snow). From the Denny Creek Trailhead, take the Denny Creek trail just over 4 miles to Melakwa Lak...

If you want to visit multiple lakes, get a view of or tackle a peak at Kaleetan, Chair, and Bryant, campgrounds for overnight or weekend adventures, fish in the lakes, explore off the trail and natural waterslides and picnic area waterfalls, this is for you. Denny Creek Trail offers it all! Afte...

There are four trailheads that guide you to the top of Mount Townsend, but the most popular choice is to begin at the Upper Trailhead Trail #839 (snow permitting).  The trail gradually climbs while traversing through forested area. While walking through the fir and hemlock trees, you pass three ...

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...

Depending on the road conditions and where you parked, the hike will be somewhere between 5-6 miles roundtrip. I always advise checking the weather and Washington Trail Association trip reports for the latest information.  If conditions are ideal, grab your snowshoes and head to the mountains! Yo...

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...

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...

This trail offers amazing views of Mt. Baker, Vancouver Island, the San Juan Islands, and the Cascade Mountains. The Point Wilson trail is located in Fort Worden State Park on the Olympic Peninsula, along the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The trail is 2.5 miles round trip, and is accessible regardless ...

The area around Kendall Knob is great for snowshoeing or ski touring. It is particularly nice for ski touring because there are a variety of short tours at varying difficulty and on varying aspects. Skiers or those on snowshoe can begin their trip at the PCT trailhead near the Commonwealth Campgr...

Starting at the Snoqualmie Pass PCT trailhead, you start hiking through an old growth forest. This hike has a nice gradual incline with views starting near a talus field. Late June, early July wildflowers are growing like crazy along the trail. This field offers a up close view of Mt. Rainier alo...

Kendall Peak is an easily accessible summit hike just off of Exit 52 of I-90 that offers spectacular 360-degree views of the entire Snoqualmie range. You’ll start out in the PCT parking lot where you’ll need a NW Forest Pass to park, or pay the daily fee. A permanent bathroom and backcountry acce...

There are quite a few ways up Guye Peak ranging from a simple walk up to multiple pitches of technical rock climbing.  Both of the routes described here start from the PCT parking lot north of exit 52 of I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass.  Some of the scrambling described would be treacherous in wet or sno...

The West Ridge of Thomson is rated 5.6 and is 4-5 pitches depending on how you break it up. The East Ridge is some spicy 4th class and although people do scramble it, it is recommend to use a rope on the descent. The Approach Starting at the PCT trail-head you have two options.  You can take the ...

This hike is very strenuous, but nothing unconquerable! The views at sunset were once in a lifetime and something I will remember for the rest of my life. The first half mile or so of the trail begins in a wooded area then opens up to views of the lower valley. After hiking for about another ½ t...