Explore Washington State
We all need a vacation. Nay, we all deserve a vacation at this point. I’m not even going to explain beyond that, because I can already see you nodding your head in agreement. Here is my (not) extensive list of hideaway stays that I am day dreaming of for this summer. 1. The Heron Cabin...
If you’re seeking fresh air and nature’s beauty and you don’t want to go too far – Squires Lake is an ideal hike to explore! Looking to breathe in fresh air and enjoy nature’s beauty with only an hour or two to spare? Check out Squires Lake! Nestled near the south end of the Chuckanut...
UPDATE FEBRUARY 19, 2025 The trailhead for Franklin Falls has been closed due to lack of funding by the federal government. Resting between the north and south lanes of I-90 lies an idyllic scene, full of cedar and pine that seem to stretch miles into the sky and views of the mighty Snoqualmie River. On...
We’ve all done it; made a lofty New Year’s resolution and abandoned it by mid-March, if not sooner! On Jan. 1, 2020 I made a resolution to complete 52 hikes in a year. With my trusty trail runners, leggings and a hoodie I set off to hike Talapus Lake. I made it to the lake,...
Baby, it’s cold outside, but you and Fido need some outdoor exercise. Don’t let cold weather keep you or your dog cooped up during the winter months. Bundle up and explore these seven “Fido Friendly” trails in southwest Washington’s Grays Harbor County. Leashed dogs are welcome at all of these sites. Aberdeen 1. Johns River...
In September, my wife Regan and I had planned a hike in the North Cascades but a spate of wildfires made that hike impossible. When the smoke cleared two days into what was to have been a five-day trip, we decided to cross a shorter hike off our bucket list and set out for a...
When you have a window of opportunity, you take the window. Oregon Butte Lookout had been on my hiking list for the last few years and other adventures kept pushing it aside. Recently, after watching the weather for a week, the option of this hike came back on my radar. Based on what I was...
Washington State is known for its gloomy and rainy weather. While a lot of people want to avoid going outdoors during autumn, I think it’s the best time of the year to explore. The fall footage and the moody, foggy Pacific Northwest vibes make everything look enchanting. Driving North Cascades Highway Whether you want to...
Whether you’re watching the sunrise on a dewy ridge in the North Cascades, taking a multi-day trip through the rainforest in the Olympics, overlooking one of the 700+ lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, or watching the colors dance on Mount Rainier at sunset, backpacking in Washington will leave you with phenomenal memories. The views...
When I picture myself hiking in the Pacific Northwest, I always see myself set amongst a familiar backdrop — tall trees and even taller mountains. Winding forest streams carve their way through deep valleys of lush green foliage. It’s not hiking if there’s no tree roots to snag your boot on nor any hard rocks...
As I write this from the north Pasco countryside, early on a Friday afternoon, I look out the window of my study toward Badger Mountain, the Horse Heaven Hills and Jumpoff Joe. Typically, I would be able to see all three (although the wild roses growing outside my window obstruct my view of Jumpoff Joe,...
I would not say I hiked the Goat Marsh Trail. I would say I experienced the Goat Marsh Trail. And what an incredible experience it was! The trail is not just an escape from a world down the mountain but is part of a different world altogether. This world has tall trees and a meadow,...
