Hiking

This post was originally posted here, but with permission from Valerie we are sharing it here.  If you want to escape the burbs, or the busy life around Seattle, head to Silverdale! This lovely town  is centrally located on the Kitsap Peninsula. I’ve explored the area from top to bottom, and side to side, ha!...

So you want to start taking your kids backpacking in Washington?? Here’s the first three lessons I learned when I started going into the woods with my 4-year-olds. Hooking your kids on backpacking is a lifelong endeavor. It doesn’t end after the first trip whether it goes well or not. Each time you step on...

On the conveyor belt of city life in eastern America, I used to have to remind myself that wild places exist. That they were alive with me right then. Stopped at a traffic light, with urgency filling the air, I’d breathe deep into my belly and imagine the sounds there now, the smells that might...

Looking for an easy hike surrounded by gorgeous mountain vistas? Look no further than the Big Four Ice Caves. The trail is 2.2 miles from the paved parking area and varies from paved sections to gravel and boardwalks. The climb isn’t too strenuous, and there are places to stop along the way to catch your...

We’ve all heard the opinion that western Washington is almost perpetually grey and rainy. While that may be the case in winter months, most of the west side is quite temperate and beautiful for much of the rest of the year.  However, when it comes to one special west side region, an honest-to-goodness rain forest...

Rose Freeman and Anastasia Allison are a unique pair of classically trained musicians based in Washington state. If you haven’t heard of them before, a short summary: They climb mountains with a violin and keyboard strapped to their backs and play their music in the open nature.   Pursuing A Passion But what they really do...

Founded and preserved on April 22nd, 2005 (Earth Day) by Gordon Hempton, One Square Inch of Silence, is a beautiful project meant to highlight how serene it can be to stand in nature and not hear any noise-pollution.   The project is located in the Hoh Rain Forest in the heart of the Olympic National Park...

Located in Pasco, Washington, the Juniper Dunes Wilderness area is something quite unique to the area. Not only is it Washington’s largest juniper grove but it is also completely fenced in, all 7,000+ acres. Back in 1984 the United States Congress designated this area of land with various expansions since then. What is the Juniper...

One of the rewards for hiking Saddle Rock is to take in the sweeping panoramic views of Wenatchee, Saddle Rock is a city landmark and is an easily accessible hike that’s just a 10-minute drive from downtown. Ranging from two to three-and-a-half miles round trip, this Wenatchee trail is great for children and adults alike....

Here at Explore Washington State, we’re always interested in finding out about people who are actively exploring new areas of Washington, whether that’s checking out new hotspots in urban areas, or out scrambling around in the woods with a GoPro. Just a few weeks ago, we ran across the YouTube channel Outside & Stuff, which...