Every year at the end of August, my husband looks forward to a week of outdoor adventure with the guys backpacking in the wilderness. Whether they are hiking parts of the popular Pacific Crest Trail, or heading to the Cascades, the backdrop is the spectacular scenery found in the Pacific Northwest. This year, the original plan to backpack for several nights near Buck Creek Pass in the Central Cascades fell through just a few weeks out. With a non-refundable airline ticket in hand, the silver lining was that it gave my husband a chance to spend more time with extended family and take a series of 4 interesting day hikes around the Seattle area. I recently had a chance to sit down with him to learn more about what he enjoyed about each of the hikes. He also shared some helpful tips along with a few photos. Keep in mind that he is an experienced hiker and backpacker, so some of these hikes may not be suitable for beginners. And always check the weather, especially with winter coming, and understand that conditions can deteriorate rapidly, especially at higher elevations.
*This post was updated August, 2022
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Silver Peak
The first hike was Silver Peak, in the Snoqualmie Region, less than 90 minutes from the Seattle area. Just under 6 miles in length, the hike wandered through the woods, passing glades filled with ripe huckleberries everywhere they looked, and through a talus slope, ultimately gaining about 2000+ feet in elevation. The reward for all that hiking was a lunch spot with a sweeping mountain view; unfortunately on that particular day it was fairly cold and windy so it wasn’t ideal for hanging out for too long to enjoy the view. After a windy 20 minute lunch, it was time to begin the descent back down the trail. The entire hike took them about 4 hours.
Things to note: getting to the trail required a drive up a fire road. There was some brief rock scrambling to get to the lunch spot, but even the hiking dog made it to the top!
Mount Rainier/Paradise
The second day hike started in the Paradise area on beautiful Mount Rainier. I remember how spectacular this area was when we visited as part of our 19 day Pacific Northwest Road Trip. The hike on the Glacier Vista Trail led them partially up to the Muir Snowfield - to an elevation around 8,000 feet. Along the way, there was an amazing view of Rainier and one of its valleys, including a waterfall feeding the Nisqually River, along with lots of friendly marmots whistling alongside the trail. Paradise is known to be a colorful place to hike during wildflower season, with plenty of trails that wind through beautiful flower fields. Plus there are fascinating terminal and lateral moraines if you are into glaciers (here’s a great article from the National Park Service that explains more about glacier features).
Things to note: There are plenty of trail options from Paradise, so it’s important to have a plan, and a good map on hand. Always bring lots of water, sunscreen, and a hat! Although the snow fields did not require crampons when they visited in late August, hiking poles were very helpful. Arrive early, especially during the summer months, to ensure parking. Not to miss: after your hike, be sure to stop at the Wildberry Restaurant for some delicious huckleberry pie and conversation with the owner, Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who has reached the summit of Mount Everest numerous times!
Green Mountain
The next day hike required about a two and a half hour drive from Seattle, which some might argue is too far to qualify for a day hike, but according to my husband, was one of the best hikes he had been on as far as spectacular views, even after a previous trip backpacking in the Enchantments! The hike starts in the forest, then trails through the meadow—which is covered in colorful flowers during the summer months—with numerous switchbacks along the way to the top. Overall hiking time was about 5 hours for about 8+ miles. Pack lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Check out the spectacular panoramic view below!
Things to note: Be warned that the last 15 miles on the road to the trailhead was filled with potholes, so make sure your vehicle can handle it. One interesting fact: The Green Mountain Lookout, which has quite a history behind it and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is manned by wilderness volunteers, who stay there the entire summer for about a week at a time.
Camano Island State Park
For the last day hike and a change of pace, my husband decided to head out on his own and explore family-friendly Camano Island, just over 60 miles from Seattle. The island is home to Camano Island State Park—a camping park with over 75 campsites along with a handful of cabins— and offers 3 miles of trails, both along the rocky shoreline and through the forest. After all the other strenuous hikes earlier in the week, it was a great place to spend some time exploring and taking in the amazing views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound from the cobblestone beach. Based on the reviews I read, it’s also a popular spot for family camping, boating, fishing, and birding with easy access to the beach and wooded trails, so expect crowds during peak seasons.
Things to note: make sure you wear shoes suitable for walking on the rocky shore and be prepared to pay a small entrance fee. Don’t forget your camera to capture those views!
Washington State Hiking Resources
For the best resource when hiking in Washington State, my husband highly recommends the Washington Trails Association website, where in addition to searching for trails, visitors can find ways to help keep the trails accessible to all. For the hikes mentioned (except for the state park), I’ve included WTA links below where you can find important details about directions to the trailhead, elevation gain, level of trail difficulty, specifics of the hiking route, and colorful descriptions about what you might expect to see at various times during the year.
Washington Trails Association Silver Peak hiking Information Washington Trails Association Paradise Glacier Vista hiking information Washington Trails Association Green Mountain hiking information Related Posts:
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