Mount Washington — Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

First time up Mount Washington and it was STUNNING. It was a great trail- a bit rocky but a really fun climb. The first real view is at the "Owl Hike Spot" almost 2 miles up. Do not stop here!!!! The summit views are SO worth it. Keep pushing upward through some long stretches of snow (trekking poles very helpful, crampons not quite necessary), and when you break out of the forest, Rainier is breathtaking. Go to the very summit to see Mount Baker to the north, but my favorite view was that of Rainier just short of the summit. The hardest part of this hike is finding the trail...a lot of different guides gave different instructions so I got a bit confused. Essentially, take the spur trail from the parking lot up to the gravel logging road and head RIGHT. Then take the first trail on your LEFT (marked by nothing but a rock cairn that is more like three stones on the ground). Pretty easy once you know. I would highly recommend this hike on a nice day! Hardly any foot traffic, and very under-appreciated views.