Conditioning Hikes

In anticipation of summer, many hikers are thinking about getting themselves in shape - whether it be for their dream day hike in the Olympics, a long backpack in the North Cascades or a summit attempt of Mount Rainier.

John Colver, in the May+June 2011 issue of Washington Trails Magazine, shares six conditioning tips and one secret to get you into the best shape possible for hiking. He explains how to get the most from your muscles as you walk, and offers exercises he calls the "Daily Dozen" to get your body ready.

We thought you'd like a few suggestions of excellent conditioning hikes as well, so we put it to our Facebook fans. And did they ever deliver, suggesting 60 conditioning hikes all over the state. We've winnowed it to a dozen, leaving off super obvious ones like Mount Si and Mailbox Peak.

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Oyster Dome - Chuckanut Mountains

The Chuckanut Mountains yield steep climbs and excellent views of Puget Sound. This photo comes from one of the first viewpoints on the Oyster Dome Trail. Photo by halffast.

Who: Mount Vernon and Bellingham residents
Roundtrip: 6.5 miles 
Elevation Gain: 1900'
High Point: 2025'
Season: All Year

The Cascades are not the only mountain range in northernwestern Washington. The Chuckanuts, between Mount Vernon and Bellingham, are a unexpected but welcomed geological treat for hikers - especially those who want to get out for a quick hike after work. The area sports quite the trail system within its patchwork of land management agencies (State Parks, Whatcom County, DNR). One of the favorites is Oyster Dome. It provides hikers good elevation again and fine views. But don't forget to check out other destinations: Blanchard Mountain and Pine and Cedar Lakes are also popular conditioning trails as well.

>> Hike It! Read about Oyster Dome in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking North Cascades by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books).

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Mount Dickerman

Expect snow at you reach the top of Mount Dickerman well into July. Photo by 'pith helmet and gaiter ed.'

Who: Everett and Seattle residents
Roundtrip: 8.6 miles 
Elevation Gain: 3875'
High Point: 5723'
Season: July - October

Right off the Mountain Loop Highway, Mt. Dickerman beckons as a popular hike for those seeking a challenge, views and convenience. It starts off steep, leads to more steeps, then finishes steep, climbing almost 4000 vertical feet in 4.3 miles through old-growth forest, alpine meadows and along ridges and cliffs with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

>> Hike It! Read about Mount Dickerman in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking North Cascades by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books).

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Wallace Falls - Wallace Falls State Park

The Middle Falls at Wallace Falls State Park. Photo by Rachel Popkin.

Who: Everett and Seattle residents
Roundtrip: 5.5 miles 
Elevation Gain: 1200'
High Point: 1500'
Season: All Year

Only about half an hour from Everett, Wallace Falls State Park offers a perfect after-work alternative to the gym. The eponymous trail offers views of nine individual waterfalls as it climbs for more than two steep miles through old-growth forests. In addition, the park boasts more than  twelve miles of interconnected trails, so you can tailor your hikes to your fitness level, time constraints and desired level of difficulty.

>> Hike It! Read about Wallace Falls in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books).

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Granite Mountain

A steep trail delivers hikers to a lookout above the clouds on the Granite Mountain Trail. Photo by timezra.

Who: Seattle and Tacoma residents
Roundtrip: 8.0 miles 
Elevation Gain: 3800'
High Point: 5629'
Season: Late June - October

A classic bun-burner in the I-90 corridor, Granite Mountain is well known for its steep terrain, numerous switchbacks, long scramble and, of course, amazing views. Check out the lookout tower at the top during the summertime. After all, what's a flight of stairs after 4+ miles of uphill?

>> Hike It! Read about Granite Mountain in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking Snoqualmie Pass by Dan Nelson & Alan Bauer (Mountaineers Books).

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Tiger Mountain - West Tiger 3

West Tiger 3. Photo by Stephen.

Who: Seattle and Tacoma residents
Roundtrip: 5.0 miles 
Elevation Gain: 2100'
High Point: 2525'
Season: March - November

Tiger Mountain is a place where more than likely someone is going to run past you, even if you're running too. Miles and miles of connecting trails, in addition to three Tiger peaks (1 through 3), provide hikers with a myriad of conditioning options. We like West Tiger 3, because it is the steepest, and offers some pleasant views from the top. Or make your own route.

>> Hike It! Read about West Tiger 3 in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking Snoqualmie Pass by Dan Nelson & Alan Bauer (Mountaineers Books).

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Mount Townsend

Mount Townsend offers a steady climb with heady views. Photo by thehappyhiker.

Who: Kitsap & North Olympic Peninsula residents
Roundtrip: 8.2 miles 
Elevation Gain: 2900'
High Point: 6280'
Season: June - November

Some would contend that Mount Townsend doesn't qualify as a true conditioning hike (too beautiful, too long, too far away). But we like it for it's serious elevation gain, relentless switchbacks and diverse surroundings. Nothing beats a "conditioning hike" that includes old growth forests, mountain views and alpine meadows and lakes!

>> Hike It! Read about Mount Townsend in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books).

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Mount Rose

One of the steepest trails in the Olympics, Mount Rose is a good alternative to busy Mount Ellinor. Photo by visuallearner.

Who: Tacoma, Olympia and Bremerton residents
Roundtrip: 6.4 miles 
Elevation Gain: 3500'
High Point: 4100'
Season: June - November

Stairmasters are fine and all, but why not add spectacular views to your thigh-burning workout? The challenging trail to Mount Rose's summit - one of Olympic Peninsula's steepest - offers both an endurance-boosting, leg-strengthening climb and sweeping vistas of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

>> Hike It! Read about Mount Townsend in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books).

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Hamilton Mountain - Beacon Rock State Park

Views abound on Hamilton Mountain in Beacon Rock State Park. Photo by Eli Boschetto.

Who: Portland and Vancouver residents
Roundtrip: 8.2 miles 
Elevation Gain: 2100'
High Point: 2438'
Season: March - November

More than twenty miles of trails intersect Beacon Rock State Park, so you can combine any number of trails to create the perfect conditioning hike (and the WTA's soon-to-be-completed Hardy Ridge Connector will make it even easier to do so!). Of those twenty miles of trails, Hamilton Mountain offers perhaps the best workout-to-scenery ratio, climbing steeply while passing by waterfalls, along cliff-side vistas and over flowering meadows.

>> Hike It! Read about Hamilton Mountain in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking South Cascades by Dan Nelson & Alan Bauer (Mountaineers Books) and Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books)

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Dog Mountain

Dog Mountain is a work out with a scenic pay-off. Hike it in May for the endless fields of balsamroot. Photo by Susan Saul.

Who: Portland and Vancouver residents
Roundtrip: 8.0 miles 
Elevation Gain: 2800'
High Point: 2948'
Season: March - November

Blooming meadows of wildflowers may make Dog Mountain a cheerful hike, but don't be fooled: it's a workout and then some. A longer, more gradual trail along the mountain's eastern flank offers a slightly easier alternative to the short and steep trail on the mountain's northern side, however, so you can work up to the more difficult of the two while still enjoying those friendly flowers and glorious views.

>> Hike It! Read about Dog Mountain in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking South Cascades by Dan Nelson & Alan Bauer (Mountaineers Books) and Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books)

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Poe Mountain

The views really open up as you approach the summit of Poe Mountain. Photo by Rob Shurtleff.

Who: Leavenworth and Wenatchee residents
Roundtrip: 6.4 miles 
Elevation Gain: 3500'
High Point: 4301'
Season: June - October

Poe Mountain is a bit of a drive from Wenatchee, but it's worth it. The trail is short and sweet (well, maybe not that sweet), averaging 1000 feet of elevation gain per mile as it climbs up to a bare summit at 6015'. Be prepared to face the elements along the exposed ridge that makes up much of the trail, and just consider it a warm-up for future hikes above the tree-line.

>> Hike It! Read about Poe Mountain in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books).

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Westberg Trail

A ridgeline walk with sweeping views awaits hikers on the Westberg Trail. Photo by M and S.

Who: Ellensburg and Yakima residents
Roundtrip: 4.0 miles 
Elevation Gain: 1710'
High Point: 3560'
Season: Year round

If switchbacks aren't your thing, the Westberg Trail might just be the hike for you. This trail heads straight up a steep mountainside (that's right, no switchbacks!), allowing you to reach the 3500+ -foot summit in only two miles for a quick and challenging workout. Make sure you watch your feet as you climb; this is rattlesnake country.

>> Hike It! Read about Westberg Trail in WTA's Hiking Guide

Featured in Best Desert Hikes Washington by Alan Bauer and Dan Nelson (Mountaineers Books).

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Mount Spokane State Park

Mount Spokane State Park is the conditioning playground for Spokane. This hiker stands atop Mount Kit Carson. Photo by Dusty Boots.

Who: Spokane residents
Roundtrip: various options 
Elevation Gain: various
High Point: 5889'
Season: May - November

Where do hikers from Spokane go to get a real work-out? Mount Spokane State Park. This park is a recreation mecca - downhill and cross country skiing in the winter, hiking and biking the rest of the year. It boasts more than one hundred miles of trails! One of our favorites is Mount Kit Carson. It's a tad shorter than nearby Mount Spokane, but much quieter and still offers a good physical challenge.

>> Hike It! Read Trip Reports about Mount Spokane State Park (then return and write a Hiking Guide entry