WTA Hiking Guide
March 2010 Update: Select content from the Mountaineers Books'
six "Day Hiking" guidebooks, Snowshoe Routes Washington and Desert Hikes
Washington is now incorporated into the WTA Hiking Guide. Sales of the books
from this website benefit WTA and help protect and maintain our trails.
Search for a hike...
Locate hike descriptions and trip reports for more than 2700 hikes in Washington. Use hike name or region for most comprehensive results. And please consider adding missing descriptions and hike data to the Hiking Guide to help make this the most useful online resource for hiking in Washington!
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3083
hikes
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Middle Fork Snoqualmie - Downstream / Pratt Connector
(7 votes)
Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area
(Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snoqualmie Ranger District)
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While most hikers cross the bridge and go left, heading upstream along the main Middle Fork Trail, savvy hikers looking for a solitary short hike will turn right and scramble downstream. There once was a popular trail on this side of the river, and hard-core backcountry anglers will still find their way up a faint boot-beaten path alongside Rainy Creek all the way to trout heaven at Rainy Lake. For most hikers, though, a simple hike alongside the Middle Fork will be sufficient escape.
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Rivers, Old growth, Fall foliage
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Hike a short and to-the-point trail to an isolated peak on the fringe of the Olympics. Enjoy views out over glistening Puget Sound, with its ferries and Seattle skyline. But there's more. From Zion's summit follow a ridgeline trail to a series of ledges, a promised land of sweeping views of lofty Mount Townsend and the towering and jagged Gray Wolf Ridge. Make a pilgrimage in June and be rewarded with a kingdom of brilliantly blooming rhodo-dendrons.
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Commonwealth Basin Snowshoe
(7 votes)
Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
(Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest - North Bend District)
Commonwealth Basin (#1033)
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The section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) north of Snoqualmie Pass is overrun with hikers every summer weekend, but put a few feet of snow on the trail, and the crowds ignore it. That's great news for snowshoers because the trail is easy to get to and enjoyable for snowshoeing.
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Mountain views
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Submit your image
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Vendovi Island Trails
(0 votes)
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
(San Juan Preservation Trust)
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Washington Trails Association is working with the San Juan Preservation Trust to create and improve the trail system on this undeveloped and little-known San Juan island.
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Klickitat Rail Trail - Swale Canyon
(2 votes)
South Cascades -- Columbia Gorge
(Klickitat Trail Conservancy)
(#)
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The Klickitat Rail Trail is a 31-mile rails-to-trails conversion managed by Columbia Hills State Park. This linear park goes from Lyle to Warwick (on the Lyle-Centerville Highway) with several access points along the way. Swale Canyon lies on the eastern end of the trail and offers a quiet canyon, a burbly creek, wildflowers and solitude.
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Fall foliage, Wildflowers/Meadows, Wildlife
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Quartz Creek
(4 votes)
South Cascades -- Lewis River Region
(Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument)
Quartz Creek (#5)
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The Quartz Creek route is a river trail, but not a river valley trail. Sure, it follows the creek upstream, but it doesn't exactly parallel it. This path weaves in and out of side canyons and up and down small rises and ridges, always working upstream, but seldom coming very close to the waters of Quartz Creek. When it does dip down and access the creek, however, the views are stunning.
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Rivers, Established campsites
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East Crater
(4 votes)
South Cascades -- Indian Heaven / Trapper Creek
(Gifford Pinchot National Forest)
East Crater (#48)
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The East Crater Trail is one of the more popular entry points into the Indian Heaven Wilderness and a connector to the Pacific Crest Trail.
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Wildflowers/Meadows, Established campsites
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Beacon Rock is an 848-foot basalt column that formed the core of an ancient volcano. It towers over the Columbia River, and its sheer walls were unscaled until 1901-the date of the first recorded ascent of the rock. Notably, that first climb followed the route now covered by the intricate system of paths, bridges, and stairs that make up the trail today.
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Rivers
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Meander Meadows
(5 votes)
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East
(Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, Lake Wenatchee Ranger Station)
Meander Meadows Spur (#1525)
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Follow the Little Wenatchee River all the way to its headwaters high on the Cascade crest. From mile-high, miles-long alpine meadows, the river meanders. And so will you upon reaching these heavenly flower gardens. The hike in is a long approach and is warm at times across brushy avalanche slopes, but it is worth every ounce of sweat expended and every annoying fly swatted.
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Rivers, Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views, Wildlife, Established campsites
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Park Butte
(31 votes)
North Cascades -- West Slope
(Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Baker Ranger District)
Park Butte (#603)
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One of the most spectacular settings in the entire North Cascades, Park Butte provides unsurpassed views of the snowy volcano Baker as well as inviting and outstanding high country that begs to be explored. The historical fire lookout, one of the few remaining in these parts, teeters on the edge of a craggy knoll offering Imax-like showings of Washington's third-highest summit. Come here in summer and play in fields of snow. Come in autumn and roam through fields scorched in crimson. But try to come on a weekday, for the crowds are legion at Park Butte, one of the top hiking destinations in the Northwest.
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Rivers, Lakes, Fall foliage, Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views, Summits, Wildlife, Established campsites
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Vanson Peak
(4 votes)
South Cascades -- Mt. St. Helens
(USFS Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument)
Vanson Peak (#217.1)
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There's an awful lot to see here, although the trail mileage may look low to some. You'll find expansive meadows full of wildflowers, berries, and possibly big black-tailed deer. You'll be able to visit a beautiful mountain lake, and climb a stunning peak to panoramic views. And you'll explore some glorious ancient forests. All within a couple miles' radius.
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Lakes, Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views, Wildlife
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Pear Lake
(4 votes)
Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
(Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, Lake Wenatchee Ranger Station)
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A beautiful lake perched on the Cascade crest in the heart of the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. Pear is a scenic delight, served with a fine accompaniment of old-growth forests, wildflower meadows, and alpine views and is indeed a sweet destination. This approach has its advantages in the form of Top Lake, Fall Mountain, and few fellow hikers.
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Lakes, Wildflowers/Meadows
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Horseshoe Basin
(9 votes)
North Cascades -- East Slope
(Okanogan National Forest, Tonasket Ranger District)
Boundary Trail (#533)
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A land of immense natural beauty teetering on the extreme eastern end of the North Cascades, Horseshoe Basin has long been a favorite destination for backpackers. With sprawling alpine tundra, shimmering tarns, a half-dozen wide-open, easy-to-scramble summits, and spectacular wildlife observing, it's no wonder visitors prefer to spend days here. But Horseshoe Basin's fairly easy approach and gentle terrain make it a dead ringer for day hikers too. You won't be able to experience it all. But you'll get a nice taste-and by traveling lightly in this precious area you'll leave less of an impact than all of those backpackers.
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Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views, Wildlife, Ridges/passes, Established campsites
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Holden Lake
(5 votes)
Central Cascades -- Entiat Mountains
(Okanogan - Wenatchee National Forest - Chelan Ranger District)
Holden Lake (#1251)
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Holden Lake is set in a fantastic glacial basin, with stunning views of Bonanza, the highest non-volcanic peak in Washington State.
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Lakes
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Twisp Pass
(8 votes)
North Cascades -- East Slope
(Okanogan National Forest - Methow Valley Ranger District)
Twisp Pass (#432)
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Glorious in autumn when golden larches set the hills aglow and crimson blue-berry bushes light the meadows on fire, this dramatic portal into the North Cascades National Park makes a fine summer destination as well. During those warmer months enjoy alpine floral displays with glacier lilies, phlox, lupine, and paintbrush stealing the show. And while Twisp Pass in itself is a worthy objective, consider pushing farther. Drop down to Dagger Lake or wander a couple of miles of spectacular, open high country to explore polished granite shelves, remote grassy benches, and quiet hidden tarns.
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Rivers, Fall foliage, Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views, Ridges/passes, Established campsites
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WTA recently constructed this new trail to the top of Guemes Mountain on Guemes Island. The one-mile trail will lead to an incredible viewpoint overlooking nearby islands and ocean straits, the Skagit River delta, and the volcanoes and jagged spires of the North Cascades.
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Coast, Mountain views, Summits
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Mount Dickerman
(28 votes)
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
(Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)
Mount Dickerman (#710)
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One of the most popular hikes off of the Mountain Loop Highway, the Mount Dickerman Trail delivers jaw-slacking views of a ring of rugged peaks near and far. Big Four and Del Campo practically leap out at you, while Glacier mesmerizes off in the distance. Though well-built and well-maintained, the trail is not easy. It starts low and heads high, wasting little time on the way to the 5723-foot summit. Come in September and Dickerman's legendary blueberry patches will slow your momentum even more than the steep trail. You'll likely end up looking like an "indigo girl"with all your picking and sampling.
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Old growth, Fall foliage, Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views, Summits, Established campsites
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You can easily drive to Deer Park via a snaking gravel road from Port Angeles. So why hike this somewhat steep trail? Here are five good reasons. One: access to Deer Park, since the road is often closed until July. Two: wildflowers that grow along this trail in profusion, both in numbers and varieties. Three: absolute solitude for most of the way. Four: spectacular views of the entire Grey Wolf River valley and its towering peaks. And five: you'll earn it all, something you simply can't do from the seat of your SUV.
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Spray Park
(24 votes)
Mt. Rainier -- NW - Carbon River / Mowich
(Mount Rainier National Park, Carbon River Ranger Station)
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In many ways, you never recover from your first walk into Spray Park. The trail isn't difficult to follow. It's just difficult to forget. The 3.5-mile walk leads to seemingly endless open meadows of heather and alpine blossoms that tease the nose, ease the mind, and tickle the imagination.
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Waterfalls, Old growth, Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views, Wildlife
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Paddy-Go-Easy Pass
(7 votes)
Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
(Cle Elum Ranger District)
Paddy Go Easy Pass (#1595.1)
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Starting in valley-bottom meadows, you'll enjoy open country start to finish. Oh, you'll dip into stands of trees now and again, but for the most part you'll be surrounded by wildflowers, alpine grasses, and low bushes.
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Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views
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Bean Creek Basin
(11 votes)
Snoqualmie Pass -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
(Okanogan - Wenatchee National Forest - Cle Elum Ranger District)
Bean Creek (#1391.1)
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Bean Creek is one of those trails affording views of the spectacular rock slabs of Stuart. But there's more to this trail than mountain views.
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Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views
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Lower South Fork Skokomish River
(4 votes)
Olympics -- South
(Olympic National Forest - Hood Canal Ranger District)
Lower South Fork Skokomish (#873)
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Big trees, a big river, and a big chance of seeing some big elk if you venture far enough up this well-built and well-maintained trail. You won't be alone on this popular path; mountain bikers and equestrians like it too. But if you saunter during the week or in the quiet months of the year, only the roar of the river will interrupt the silence.
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Rivers, Waterfalls, Mountain views, Wildlife, Established campsites
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Bird Creek Meadows is a short, easy crowd pleaser. Known for its abundant wildflower meadows, views of Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood and the Hellroaring Canyon, and little creeks, lakes and waterfalls, the trail provides a nice 3-mile loop for hikers.
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Lakes, Wildflowers/Meadows
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West Fork Humptulips River
(5 votes)
Olympics -- South
(Olympic National Forest, Pacific Ranger Station, Quinault)
West Fork Humptulips River (#806)
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With spectacular groves of old-growth forest, meadows teeming with wildlife, and views of rugged surrounding peaks, the West Fork Humptulips River bottom is one of the most varied of the rainforest valleys. Devoid of visitors and traversing the edge of one of the largest roadless areas in the Olympic National Forest, this hike offers a true wilderness experience. The river must be forded eight times, but if amphibious adventuring is not for you, 1.5 miles of dry trail (and kid-friendly hiking) can be enjoyed year-round from the northern terminus of this hike at the Campbell Tree Grove.
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Old growth, Mountain views, Wildlife, Ridges/passes
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Big Four Ice Caves
(52 votes)
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
(Darrington Ranger District)
Big Four Ice Caves (#723)
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Hikers have been marveling at these frozen spectacles of nature for over a century. Reached by one of the most manicured trails in the Cascades, Big Four's famed ice caves can be enjoyed by hikers of all walks. Formed from cascading water and warm winds hollowing out heaps of avalanche-deposited snow, the caves usually appear by midsummer.
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Rivers, Waterfalls, Old growth, Mountain views
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Snowgrass Flat
(14 votes)
South Cascades -- Goat Rocks
(Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District)
Snowgrass (#96)
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The trail climbs through some of the most spectacular wildflower meadows in the state, and presents some of the most wonderful views a hiker could imagine. Volcanoes loom on all sides: Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and on clear days, even Mount Hood can be seen far to the south.
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Wildflowers/Meadows, Mountain views, Established campsites
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Take the long and scenic way to Cape Disappointment's North Head Lighthouse. From the high headland that houses the 1898 lighthouse, take in breathtaking views that include thundering waves, windswept dunes, and scores of shorebirds skimming the crashing surf.
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Coast, Wildlife
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The most famous of all the Olympic rain forests, the Hoh is one of the busiest places in Olympic National Park. A visitors center and a couple of well-groomed nature trails attract bus loads of admirers from Seattle to Seoul, Boston to Berlin. And its not just camera-toting tourists that invade this valley; pan-toting backpackers and caribiner-clanking climbers flock here too. The Hoh River Trail also provides access to Mount Olympus and the High Divide. But who can blame all of these people for coming here? The Hoh rain forest truly is one of the world's most spectacular places.
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Rivers, Old growth, Mountain views, Wildlife, Established campsites
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Submit your image
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An easy, short loop hike out of the Lone Fir campground. The first bit is paved before giving way to a dirt trail that follows Early Winters Creek. After a creek crossing (log bridge) it loops back to the campground.
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Rivers
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Submit your image
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WTA is building a new trail in the Republic Ranger District of the Colville National Forest. Construction begins in 2011.
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