Balmy Winter Hiking Opportunities
Balmy winter weather creates a bunch of slop in the mountains, making it not the best time for skiing and snowshoeing. But warm weather during the winter does create extra opportunities for hiking.
- The North Viewpoint of Mt. Walker provides a pleasant bench to ponder the view of Puget Sound, the Olympics and the Cascades. Photo by skimpyphud.
Warm weather offers the perfect opportunity to get in some tougher hikes - ones with summits and elevation gain. Of course, warm winter weather in Washington also tends to bring in the clouds and rain - not so great for the views. But if you can get the two to magically align, the hiking is incredibly worthwhile.
We have some ideas of places to go when the weather hits a warm streak, but first a note of caution. Mountain conditions can change very quickly during winter, and you need to plan ahead and be prepared to turn back.
Preparation is key to having a good time, and we highly recommend you read through our Winter Safety Tips, which has important information about avalanche conditions, links to road and weather reports and what to bring. You should also call ahead to ranger stations to get first-hand reports of conditions.
Warm Winter Hikes
Lake Serene
Stevens Pass
- Mount Index looms over an icy Lake Serene. Photo by Terpene.
Lake Serene is one the region's most popular trail destinations in summer, but it is considerably more serene in winter. Some years it is hard to get to in January, but this year's mild weather has made this trail a hiker's delight.
With 2000 feet in elevation gain, it is a good winter work-out with a nice reward: a full-on view of Mount Index towering over icy Lake Serene. If it has been raining, be prepared for a couple of tricky stream crossings. Also, carrying traction devices like Yaktrax is a good idea, as it can get quite icy as you near the lake.
For a less ambitious (but still spectacular) outing, turn around at Bridal Veil Falls, which is running quite high this time of year.
Check out our Hiking Guide description, courtesy of Mountaineers Books!
Mount Walker
Eastern Olympics, near Quilcene
Excellent views of Hood Canal, the Seattle skyline, Mt. Constance, Mt. Jupiter and east to Mt. Baker and more. No crowds. And it's a great winter (or spring) leg stretcher with its 2000 feet elevation gain.
Mount Walker is the the Olympic's easternmost peak and the only peak facing Puget Sound to have a road and a trail to the top. In winter, however, the road is gated, and along with the trail, makes for a rewarding loop hike to two viewpoints at the top. No motors allowed!
Read more about Mount Walker in WTA's Hiking Guide.
Little Si
North Bend area
- The view of Snoqualmie Valley from the Little Si summit. Photo by Solo Steve.
Does Mount Si seem a little over-run to you? A hike up Little Si offers a good work-out and excellent views of the Snoqualmie Valley on a well-maintained trail.
It's proximity to Seattle means the trail is still quite popular, but on a winter's day, you may go for quite some time without seeing another hiker. The trail is protected by forest much of the way and culminates on a rocky outcrop. Because the elevation and elevation gain is considerably lower than Mount Si, this trail is less strenuous and usually less icy than its famous neighbor.
Get the details about Little Si in our Hiking Guide.
Hamilton Mountain
Beacon Rock State Park, Columbia River Gorge
Hamilton Mountain is nirvana for those seeking high alpine views, ridgeline walks, cliffs, waterfalls and a good workout during a time when most similar hikes are snowbound.
- Happy hikers posing at Hamilton Mountain's summit. Photo by Susan Saul.
The elevation at times can be a bit relentless, but the rewards are many. The view from the top is fabulous: the Columbia River Gorge and the cascading waterfalls on the Oregon side; Mt. Hood tantalizingly close; Mt. Adams and more.
Depending upon the conditions and your hiking goals for the day, there is a fantastic intermediate destinations as well. Hardy and Rodney Falls are a mere 1.3 miles in. A small spur trail at Hardy Falls offers a great view, and Rodney Falls is just another 0.1 along the main trail.
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
