Hiking

For a while, I lived in a van. When it was time to explore any given place I usually gave myself an unlimited time limit on my adventuring since I lived where I parked. When it came time to hike in Mt. Rainier National Park, and after already doing my fair share of travel up...

When you think of ancient caves, you may think you need to travel halfway across the country, or the world, to take this type of a step back in time. France, Indonesia, and in the U.S., Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, all come to mind.  You may as well add the Coulee country of east-central...

Regardless of season, Mount Spokane State Park is a remarkable resource for outdoor adventure in the state of Washington. It is the tallest peak in the densely forested Selkirk Mountain range. It also happens to be the largest state park in Washington at 13,919 acres. On a clear day, visitors can see all the way...

What’s worth the investment? As a self-proclaimed minimalist, I’m someone who only brings the gear I think I will need on a hike and rolls her eyes at fellow hikers spending hundreds on gear. Looking back over the many day-hikes I have completed here in Central Washington on the cheap, I reminisce and laugh as...

Washington State has long been known for its wild beauty, epitomized by tall pine trees, rugged landscapes and stunning coastlines. Though it is often reduced to no more than a photo-op by its famous bridge, Deception Pass State Park is the perfect place to discover all the natural splendor of the Evergreen State.  [toc] Discovering...

Many Pacific Northwesterners are unaware of the fascinating history of the state of Washington, particularly on the far-less-populated eastern side of the state. From the production of plutonium during World War II in the Tri-Cities to the agricultural boom of the Palouse region and the Whitman Mission massacre in Walla Walla, a lot has happened...

Central Washington is home to a multitude of state parks, each with their own unique features and viewpoints. If you’re looking for a daylong adventure through a beautiful park with river views and hiking paths, you’re in luck because the Ginkgo Petrified Forest has been patiently waiting for your visit.  Planning a trip to Ginkgo...

After arriving at the trailhead for the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area, I stepped down from the running board of my pickup, the dust settled, and as I surveyed the barren, desolate landscape that surrounded me, somewhere just over a nearby hillside, I heard an ocarina faintly whistling the tune from The Good, the Bad and...

We’ve all heard the opinion that among the different locations in the United States, western Washington is almost perpetually grey and rainy. While that may be the case in winter months, most of the west side is quite beautiful and temperate for much of the rest of the year. However, when it comes to one...

As a rule, university campuses are very nice. Even those tucked into the middle of big cities, like the University of Washington in Seattle, offer students and visitors beautiful walking and biking trails and great vistas. But until we moved to Vancouver from eastern Washington three years ago, I had never gotten lost in what...

Looking for a short and manageable hike with stunning 360-degree views that reward you? Look no further than Washington’s High Rock Trail located in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest in Lewis County, near Mount Rainier. The trail is 3.2 miles roundtrip with a moderately steep elevation gain of 1,365 feet. Yes, it is steep, but it...

Want a gem of a hike that’s family-friendly and won’t take an all-day drive? This is your go-to hike with a great reward: Teneriffe Falls, North Bend, WA. After our rainy January, I was delighted to see the sun out and raced for the mountains. Weekends are busy on popular hikes such as this, but...