Hikes of the Week

Each week, Washington Trails Association features one hike that is particularly appropriate for the season.  Over the winter, we are including a mix of snowshoe excursions and generally snow-free lowland hikes from around the state.

Hikes of the Week Archive

Chelan Lakeshore Trail

Lake Chelan
May 5, 2008

The Chelan Lakeshore Trail is one of the state's premiere spring backpacking destinations. Accessible as early as March and April most years, it's a beautiful trek that offers nearly constant views of sparkling Lake Chelan and the mountains rising from its west bank. Read more.

Boulder River

Hwy 530, east of Arlington
April 28, 2008

Towering lowland old growth forest, impressive waterfalls, and a roaring stream make Boulder River a great destination any time of the year. This is one of the best times to visit, when spring run-off makes the waterfalls particularly powerful. Read on.

Hoh River to Five Mile Island

Olympic National Park
April 14, 2008

The Olympics got hammered by storms this winter, but WTA volunteers recently opened the Hoh River trail to Five Mile Island, a great turn-around spot for day hikers. There is something incredibly magical about the Hoh - huge trees, cascading moss, birds and Roosevelt elk and the Olympic Mountains rising above the broad river valley. Read more.

De Leo Wall - Coal Creek Falls

Cougar Mountain Regional Park, Issaquah Alps
April 14, 2008

Cougar Mountain Regional Park offers more than 36 miles of trails, and makes a great destination for hikers in the Seattle area who want to get out for a quick hike. This loop is one of many you can take - its spring highlights include a gushing waterfall and wildflowers. Read on.

Ancient Lakes

Quincy Wildlife Area, SW of Wenatchee
April 7, 2008

Waterfalls in the desert. Deep coulees. Small lakes and large lakes. Sagebrush. Wildflowers. A cacophony of bird songs. Spring is the best time to visit the Ancient Lakes in the Quincy Wildlife area - it's sunny and warm and you can even pitch your tent by a lake. More.

Dog Mountain

Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area
March 31, 2008

This trail is not a secret. But it sure is beautiful, especially in the spring when an electric display of balsamroot blooms. It's worth a hike anytime of the year, however, with its fabulous views of the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood from the old lookout at the top. Read on.

Copper Creek Hut

Mt. Tahoma Trail System - west of Mt. Rainier N.P.
March 24, 2008

The calendar may say spring, but you shouldn't miss an opportunity to take a last romp in the white stuff this season! The Copper Creek Hut is the jewel in the Mt. Tahoma Trail system, and there is still great snow for the altitude-starved outdoors-person. More.

Old Sauk Trail

Near Darrington - Mtn. Loop Hwy.
March 17, 2008

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the month of March with hikes that emphasize green. Old Sauk fits that bill perfectly. The mossy forest carpet and the milky green Sauk River offer a great easy day hike for hikers big and small. Read on.

Mount Constitution

Orcas Island
March 10, 2008

March is one of the best times to visit Orcas Island, and there is no better destination than Mt. Constitution, the San Juan Islands' highest point. Sure, you can drive to the top of the mountain. But it is much more rewarding to hike it. Read on.

Cowiche Canyon

Near Yakima
March 3, 2008

After a winter of white and gray, everyone needs a dose of red, purple and yellow. Cowiche Canyon, located on the outskirts of Yakima, is one of the first hikes to boast blooming flowers in the spring. Most years, flowers are blooming in Cowiche Canyon by mid-to-late March. Read on.

Hex Mountain

Teanaways - near Roslyn
February 25, 2008

Hex Mountain is a steep snowshoe with a huge reward:  360 degree views of Mt. Rainier, the Stuart Range, and the Teanaways.  The best news is that the ridge trail is well sheltered, which makes it a good choice in a year where avalanche conditions are extreme. Read on.

Klickitat Rail Trail

Southwest Washington, north of The Dalles
February 18, 2008

The Klickitat Rail Trail is a recent addition to Washington's rails-to-trails network, and is a fantastic destination for people seeking a great hike on the sunny side of the Cascades and Columbia River.
Read on.

Carbon River

Mt. Rainier National Park
February 11, 2008

During one of the worst winters for avalanche conditions in recent memory, it's nice to find a trail that is snowy yet safe.  This week's best bet is the Carbon River Road.  Some winters the snow barely touches this place.  This winter is different!  And the white stuff makes walking this road quite a bit of fun. Read on.

Granite Lakes

Middle Fork area, near North Bend
February 4, 2008

If you're looking for an avalanche-free hike or snowshoe to mountain lakes with moderate elevation gain, Granite Lakes is the place to go. Just a few miles outside of North Bend in the Middle Fork area, it's the perfect hike to take when Snoqualmie Pass is a mess. Read on.

Mount Walker

Eastern Olympics, near Quilcene
January 28, 2008

This easternmost mountain in the Olympics offers excellent views of Puget Sound, the Olympics and Cascades. With a 2000' elevation gain, it's great for conditioning. And in the winter, there aren't any crowds. Read on.

Mt. Spokane Snowshoe Trails

Northeast of Spokane
January 21, 2008

Best known for its downhill and Nordic ski areas, Mt. Spokane is also a great place to snowshoe! There are six official trails ranging from easy to difficult.
Read more about the trails.

Rattlesnake Mountain Trail

Issaquah Alps
January 14, 2008

If you've hiked to the Ledges and beyond from Rattlesnake Lake, this is a delightful alternative. You can now reach Rattlesnake Mountain from the west, starting from a new trailhead at Snoqualmie Point. Expect more solitude on this approach, and enjoy the fantastic views.  Read more.  

Lower Falls Creek Falls

Mt Adams Ranger District, Gifford Pinchot
National Forest
January 7, 2008

A great hike for all of you in Vancouver, Portland or SW Washington!  This is an easy yet exciting hike for the whole family.  The big reward is a three-tiered waterfall which drops nearly 250 feet into an amazing, moss-covered pool below the viewpoint.  Read more...

Artist Point

Mt. Baker Ski Area
December 31, 2007

The panoramic view of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, Coleman Pinnacle, and Ptarmigan Ridge is even more beautiful under deep layers of snow than it is in the summer. And that says something for a place called Artist Point. Read about it.

Swauk Creek Snowshoe Trails

Blewitt Pass - between Cle Elum & Wenatchee
December 24, 2007

In the heart of Blewitt Pass snowmobile country is a glorious area designated just for skis, snowshoes and feet.  More than 50 miles of marked trails offer something for everyone - we present five choices among the many for a great winter's day. 
Read about them.

Ebey's Landing

Whidbey Island - near Coupeville
December 17, 2007

We were inspired by December's photo gallery cover shot of Parego's Lagoon to feature this hike to Ebey's Landing this week.  Then we read past Trip Reports, all effusive in describing this area's stark beauty.
Read about Ebey's Landing.
 

Lime Kiln Trail

Snohomish County - near Granite Falls
December 10, 2007

The trail is carved out of the Everett & Monte Cristo railroad grade and features gurgling creeks, an historic lime kiln, twisted iron railroad railings, and a walk down to the banks of the thunderous Stillaguamish.  Read on.

Chiwaukum Creek

Alpine Lakes - near Leavenworth
December 3, 2007

A leisurely snowshoe walk alongside a babbling creek under a canopy of pungent Ponderosa Pine.  This trip is best left for a day with low avalanche possibilities.  Read more.

Oyster Dome

Chuckanuts - South of Bellingham
November 25, 2007

Fabulous views high over Puget Sound and out to the Olympics, big boulders to play on, a great workout, and bats!  It's a place that fuels the imagination and can refuel you on a winter's day.  Read on.

Tonga Ridge

Glacier Peak Area
November 18, 2007

The Tonga Ridge Road just reopened in October after being closed for 11 months following the devastating winter storm last November.  Now you have a short window of opportunity to enjoy this wonderful trail before snow closes the road again until next spring.  Read more about this hike.