Mount Vernon, Washington

These two quaint lakes in the Chuckanuts are a must-do for people looking for a day hike, short camping trip or steep trail run in the Bellingham area. Starting at the trailhead off of Old Samish Road, one begins the 2 mile ascent to the two lakes. The first 1,400ft climb has its fair share of up...

Moran State Park is an true gem within the beautiful San Juan Islands. The park takes up a large portion of the East side of Orcas Island, the largest of all the San Juans. There are multiple campgrounds within the park along the shores of Cascade Lake and Mountain Lake. For the most relaxing exp...

Dock Butte is an easy hike offering truly spectacular 360 degree views of the Mt. Baker region. In summer this summit can be done as an easy walk up. It is especially good during the late summer for hikers and introducing someone into hiking. From the parking lot the trail goes through forest wi...

For what was once a highly contested and disputed piece of land in the Pacific Ocean, now lays home to one of the most peaceful, tranquil, and historic hikes in the island chain. Start the hike at the parking lot of the San Juan Island National Historic Site American Camp Visitor Center. Proceed ...

The trail takes you on a gradual climb up to Heather Lake with beautiful second growth to admire along the way. The trail can be very wet and muddy with many tree roots to catch your toes, so make sure to wear a sturdy pair of tennis shoes or hiking shoes. Dogs are permitted on this trail on-leas...

Along the Mountain Loop Highway, past the crowds crawling over Mt. Pilchuck, lies the muddy, unkempt Walt Bailey Trail into a verdant subalpine basin speckled with tiny tarns. The Cutthroat Lakes are a delightful location to spend the night with optional day hikes up to exposed ridgelines and cra...

North Lake is everything you could want in a subalpine lake: emerald green hues, cold, clear water, lots of brook trout and far from cell-phone reception. This backpack is perfect when the weather gets hot and sunny, though it does reside in what is known as “the wettest section of the Cascades,...

Winchester Mountain is said to have the greatest reward for least amount of effort in all the North Cascades. One of the last fire-lookouts in the region stands on the summit. Views from the summit of Winchester Mountain are beautiful and dramatic to say the least. Being one of the easiest hikes...

If you just loved your day hike to Goat Lake so much that you want to return and spend some more time, you're in luck - the lake offers a camping area that holds at least 15 campsites and even comes with a pit latrine. This is a great overnight option if you aren't looking for a difficult hike in...

Drive the Mountain Loop Highway to Barlow Pass and park at the pass using your Northwest Forest Pass. (In early or late season, be aware of snow conditions at the pass and, more importantly, along the trail up to Gothic Basin.) From Barlow Pass, start hiking south past the trail gate and in the ...