Season in Flux: One Weekend in Photos

Washington has entered a transition season, one where winter has come to the high country while fall still reigns supreme lower down. Sun, snow, sleet, wind, rain—you captured it all and faithfully reported your adventures back for the hikers who will follow in your footsteps.

Seasonal safety basics

The changing season also calls for a few changes in your hiking safety basics. Revisit your 10 essentials, and consider adding extra clothes and emergency supplies. Get religious about checking conditions and knowing the weather report.

There are some grand adventures awaiting you in the days and months ahead, but like the land around you, your safety routines need to change with the season. In short, go prepared and be extra careful out there.

Six trails, one weekend in Washington

You can get all these views from one single weekend in Washington, making this state a pretty good place for a hiker to live. Match the photos to the trails and trip reporters who captured them below, and then dive deeper into trip reports for more ideas for your late fall hiking.

The views from six very different trails. Photos (clockwise from top left) by: David Hagen, Lismic, Elsa, Yasobara, wafflesnfalafel, geezerhiker.

Top row left: "We were right on the edge of the weather, so we had lots of clouds, but also lots of sun and not too much wind ... We saw a couple of groups of bighorn sheep on the sides of the canyon and some aspens and cottonwoods still holding on to some yellow leaves in the canyon itself." —East Rim Waterworks Canyon in the Naches Valley. David Hagen (aka mytho-man).

Top center: "Make sure you are properly prepared and this isn't for beginners. Overall the elevation gain is not that bad at all and would be a great hike with some better weather." —Fisher Lake by Lismic

Top right: "The trail was covered by snow starting 1 mile from the trail head ... Because it was snowing heavily, the trail was muddy and wet. Make sure you bring your waterproof hiking boots to enjoy the hike." —Melakwa Lake by Elsa

Bottom row left: "There were clouds hiding most of Baker, but the glacier was clear. A light drizzle started about two miles up the trail, but subsided when we reached the glacier. We enjoyed the blue ice in the crevasses and the interesting serac formations. —Helitrope Ridge by geezerhiker

Bottom center: "The trail is in great shape - trees and native rose shrubs nicely brushed back. There are several new areas where the hillside is slumping - wouldn't be surprised we loose the north most turn of the old switchback down to the beach this winter. The views were as awesome as always. If you have never done this relatively easy, close in hike, put it on your list." —Ebey's Landing by wafflesnfalafel

Bottom right: "Soon Mt. Rainier emerged over the horizon. We reached the summit at 11:47. We had lunch below the beacon ... We saw no one else on the trail." —Katchess Beacon by Yasobara