Is it Summer Yet? What Hikers Found Around the State on Memorial Day Weekend

For many, Memorial Day weekend is a perfect time to get outside. With summer approaching, countless hikers are often itching to hike in nice weather after a winter and early spring of hibernation or snow hiking. This year, it was a little harder to find sunny weather, but that didn’t stop hikers from heading out to spend some time in nature and kick off the summer season. 

Here are some of our favorite recent trip reports showcasing what hikers got up to over this long weekend.

Cashmere Canyons Preserve

Green landscapes at Cashmere Canyons Preserve. Photo by clandry.

Hiker clandry spent the first day of the weekend at Cashmere Canyons Preserve, surrounded by wildflowers and wildlife. Although it was cloudy and rainy in Seattle on Saturday, they had better weather in the Central Cascades area on their hike. 

Granite Creek Trail to Granite Lakes

Granite Lakes still frozen in spring. Photo by NKittridge. 

Winter was still in the air on NKittridge’s hike to Granite Lakes on Saturday. They didn’t encounter anything blooming yet in the cold conditions. After winding through the forest, snow began to blanket the trail, continuing all the way to the lakes, which were still partially frozen. 

Old Robe Canyon

Laurel H came across several interesting things on their hike at Old Robe Canyon on Saturday. Aside from a small waterfall, they also saw remnants of old railroads and large mossy trees. They enjoyed their short hike along the Stillaguamish River, even having to climb over some fallen trees. 

Garfield Ledges

Vantage point at Garfield Ledges. Photo by chadhunter.

Although it was cloudy, chadhunter had great views of the Middle Fork Valley at the Garfield Ledges on Saturday. They also found solitude on their hike and got the top to themselves, even though it was a long weekend.

Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail

Clouds over the ridge at Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail. Photo by kellalyn.

With overcast skies, kellalyn visited Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail on Saturday, where they saw wildflowers and views of the Yakima River. Although they left earlier in the evening, they recommend this trail for a sunset hike, and hope to see it themselves from the top someday.

Discovery Park

A multitude of lupine colors at Discovery Park. Photo by kawaiirice. 

kawaiirice took a friend who was visiting Seattle to Discovery Park on Sunday. They went to the lighthouse and the beach at low tide, where they saw a sea lion. They also encountered colorful wildflowers throughout their hike. 

Rowena Plateau and Tom McCall Point

Grassy views at Rowena Plateau and Tom McCall Point. Photo by ZhuckYu.

ZhuckYu encountered wildflowers and wildly windy conditions at Rowena Plateau and Tom McCall Point on Sunday. They even almost lost their shoe! Even with the intense winds, they had a great time on their hike, getting some great views of the Columbia River Gorge. 

Striped Peak

Wide open views of the water at Striped Peak. Photo by Hedshelbs.

On Memorial Day, Hedshelbs explored Striped Peak, a trail that WTA recently finished building, where they were treated to expansive views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Olympic National Park throughout their hike. Between catching sights of the water, they walked through forest, regularly changing up the scenery. 

Eastside Trail

Ohanapecosh Falls from Eastside Trail. Photo by AllOfUs.

With the recent opening of Highway 123, AllOfUs headed to Eastside Trail in Mount Rainier National Park on Memorial Day. They didn’t encounter many people on trail, only wildlife. Although it was raining, the tree cover helped keep the trail drier than expected. 

Douglas Creek Canyon - North

Cloudy skies over Douglas Creek Canyon. Photo by jordan9.

jordan9 spent the entire long weekend on a backpacking trip at Douglas Creek Canyon where they found relative solitude for most of their trip. They saw plenty of wildlife, including birds, marmots and even a 6-foot-long bullsnake. 

Thanks to everyone who wrote up a trip report this past weekend! With summer around the corner, check out our summer hike resources to plan out your hiking season.